φθείρω (phtheirō)
phtheirō
to destroy
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 8 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb phtheirō describes a process of ruin that goes beyond simple physical breaking; it implies corruption, decay, or moral spoiling. In the New Testament, it appears eight times, often carrying a heavy ethical weight. When Paul warns in 1 Corinthians 3:17 that God will destroy anyone who ruins the temple of God, he uses this word to describe how destructive behavior damages the spiritual integrity of the community.
Its meaning shifts slightly depending on context but always points toward a loss of original goodness. In 2 Corinthians 11:3, Paul fears the Corinthians’ minds might be corrupted from their sincere commitment to Christ, suggesting a subtle twisting of truth rather than an outright attack. The word also appears in Revelation 19:2 regarding the destruction of Babylon, linking moral depravity with ultimate judgment.
Etymologically, it likely derives from a root meaning to pine or waste away, emphasizing a gradual decline. This distinguishes it from words for sudden violence; phtheirō suggests something rotting from within. Translators often render it as "corrupt" or "destroy," capturing the idea that what was once whole has been spoiled by internal decay.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word phtheirō reminds us that damage often begins quietly. It describes a slow rot rather than a sudden crash. When we ignore small compromises in our speech or thoughts, those choices can gradually spoil our character. This is not about one mistake, but about a pattern of decay that weakens our foundation over time.
Paul warns the Corinthians that their minds could be corrupted from their simple trust in Christ. He does not describe a violent attack, but a subtle twisting of truth. We are invited to guard our hearts against these slow shifts. By staying close to Jesus, we protect the integrity of our faith from internal decay.
God’s judgment targets this kind of ruin because He values wholeness. Whether in personal conduct or community life, He calls us back to what was originally good. This promise offers hope: no corruption is beyond His power to restore. We can trust that He preserves the sincerity of our commitment when we seek Him daily.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 8 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- will destroy1×
- will be destroyed1×
- we have corrupted,1×
- was corrupting1×
- they corrupt themselves.1×
- may be corrupted1×
- is being corrupted1×
- destroys,1×
- Do corrupt1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἔφθειρεν1×
- ἐφθείραμεν,1×
- φθείρουσιν1×
- φθείρονται.1×
- φθείρει,1×
- φθερεῖ1×
- φθειρόμενον1×
- φθαρῇ1×
- φθαρήσονται1×
Key Verses
-
II Corinthians 11:3
But I am afraid that somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve in his craftiness, so your minds might be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.
Paul uses this word to describe a subtle twisting of truth that moves minds away from simple trust in Christ, rather than an obvious error.
-
I Corinthians 3:17
If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him; for God’s temple is holy, which you are.
This verse links the destruction of the community with divine judgment, showing how destructive behavior ruins the spiritual integrity of God’s temple.
-
Revelation of John 19:2
for his judgments are true and righteous. For he has judged the great prostitute who corrupted the earth with her sexual immorality, and he has avenged the blood of his servants at her hand.”
The term connects moral depravity with ultimate judgment, highlighting that Babylon’s corruption led to its downfall.