φθείρω
phtheirō
to destroy
Lexicon Entry
Lexicon data from STEPBible TIPNR, Tyndale House, Cambridge. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
What Original Readers Understood
ExploredThe Greek word φθείρω (phtheirō) is a verb that means "to destroy." Its semantic domain is centered around the concepts of death and life, indicating that its usage is often related to the end of something or someone. With 9 occurrences in the Bible, φθείρω is a relatively rare but significant word. The meaning of φθείρω is straightforward, conveying a sense of annihilation or eradication. It can be used to describe the destruction of physical objects, such as buildings or crops, or the loss of life, including human or animal death. The range of usage for φθείρω is not limited to physical destruction, as it can also be used metaphorically to describe the destruction of relationships, reputations, or even spiritual well-being. The significance of φθείρω lies in its association with the themes of death and life, which are fundamental to the human experience. The word's usage in the Bible highlights the importance of understanding the consequences of one's actions and the value of preserving life, whether physical or spiritual.
Source data & methodology
Occurrences in Scripture
9 total occurrences across the text
If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him; for God’s temple is holy, which you are.
1 Corinthians 3:17If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him; for God’s temple is holy, which you are.
1 Corinthians 15:33Don’t be deceived! “Evil companionships corrupt good morals.”
2 Corinthians 7:2Open your hearts to us. We wronged no one. We corrupted no one. We took advantage of no one.
2 Corinthians 11:3But 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.
Ephesians 4:22that you put away, as concerning your former way of life, the old man that grows corrupt after the lusts of deceit,
2 Peter 2:12But these, as unreasoning creatures, born natural animals to be taken and destroyed, speaking evil in matters about which they are ignorant, will in their destroying surely be destroyed,
Jude 1:10But these speak evil of whatever things they don’t know. They are destroyed in these things that they understand naturally, like the creatures without reason.
Revelation 19:2for 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.”