from Α (as a negative particle) and δυνατός; unable, i.e. weak (literally or figuratively); passively, impossible:--could not do, impossible, impotent, not possible, weak.
### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek adjective ἀδύνατος (adýnatos) is a compound word formed from the privative alpha (α-), signifying negation, and δυνατός (dynatós), meaning "able," "powerful," or "possible." Therefore, its fundamental meaning is "not able," "powerless," or "impossible." The semantic range of ἀδύνατος extends to two primary categories:
1. **Active Sense (Unable/Weak/Impotent):** This refers to a subject lacking the inherent power, capacity, or strength to perform an action or achieve a state. It can denote physical weakness, feebleness, or impotence (e.g., an inability to walk). Figuratively, it can refer to a lack of moral or spiritual capacity.
2. **Passive Sense (Impossible):** This refers to something that cannot be done, achieved, or that is inherently contrary to nature or truth. In this sense, it describes an objective state of impossibility, often in contrast to what is possible for God.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term ἀδύνατος appears several times in the New Testament, illustrating both facets of its meaning:
* **Human Weakness/Impotence:**
* In [[Acts 14:8]], the apostle Luke describes a man in Lystra who was "impotent in his feet" (ἀδύνατος ἐν τοῖς ποσίν), having been lame from birth and never having walked. Here, ἀδύνατος clearly denotes a physical inability or disability.
* While less frequent in this exact form for general human weakness compared to `{{G772}}` (ἀσθενής), the concept of human inability is foundational to its "impossible" usage.
* **Objective Impossibility (Often in Contrast to God's Power):**
* Perhaps the most prominent usage is found in the Synoptic Gospels concerning the difficulty of a rich man entering the kingdom of God. Jesus states, "With man this is impossible (ἀδύνατος), but with God all things are possible" ([[Matthew 19:26]], [[Mark 10:27]], [[Luke 18:27]]). This passage powerfully contrasts human limitation with divine omnipotence, emphasizing that what is utterly beyond human capacity is entirely within God's power.
* In [[Romans 8:3]], Paul uses ἀδύνατος in a crucial theological statement: "For what the Law could not do (τὸ γὰρ ἀδύνατον τοῦ νόμου), in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son..." Here, the Law is described as "impossible" or "powerless" to justify humanity, not due to an inherent flaw in the Law itself, but because of the weakness and sinfulness of human flesh, which could not perfectly obey it.
* The Epistle to the Hebrews employs ἀδύνατος in two significant ways:
* [[Hebrews 6:4]] states, "For it is impossible (ἀδύνατον) for those who have once been enlightened... if they then fall away, to restore them again to repentance." This refers to the extreme difficulty or spiritual impossibility of renewing those who have willfully rejected profound spiritual experience.
* [[Hebrews 6:18]] declares, "it is impossible (ἀδύνατον) for God to lie." This is a profound theological statement, indicating that certain actions are impossible for God not because of weakness, but because they contradict His very nature, character, and truthfulness.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **Antonyms:** The direct antonym is `{{G1415}}` (δυνατός), meaning "able," "powerful," or "possible." This word, along with its related noun `{{G1411}}` (δύναμις, "power, ability, miracle"), forms the conceptual opposite of ἀδύνατος. The contrast between human ἀδύνατος and divine δύναμις is a recurring biblical theme.
* **Verb Form:** The verb form `{{G101}}` (ἀδυνατέω) means "to be impossible" or "to be weak."
* **Synonyms/Closely Related:** `{{G772}}` (ἀσθενής), meaning "weak," "feeble," or "sick," often shares semantic overlap with ἀδύνατος, particularly when describing human frailty or physical inability. While ἀσθενής tends to focus on a state of weakness, ἀδύνατος often highlights the *consequence* of that weakness—an inability to act or achieve.
* **Theological Concepts:** The word engages with concepts such as human depravity, divine omnipotence, the efficacy (or lack thereof) of the Law for salvation, and the unchangeable nature of God.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of ἀδύνατος is profound, illuminating key aspects of human nature, God's character, and the plan of salvation:
1. **Humanity's Radical Inability:** The usage of ἀδύνατος underscores the absolute inability of humanity, in its fallen state, to achieve righteousness or salvation through its own efforts. This is most clearly articulated in [[Romans 8:3]], where the Law's powerlessness to save is attributed to human flesh. This highlights the necessity of divine intervention and grace.
2. **Divine Omnipotence and Grace:** The contrast between what is ἀδύνατος for humanity and what is possible for God (e.g., [[Matthew 19:26]]) magnifies God's boundless power and sovereignty. It emphasizes that salvation is not a human achievement but a divine work, entirely dependent on God's gracious power to accomplish what humans cannot.
3. **God's Immutability and Truthfulness:** The declaration that "it is impossible for God to lie" ([[Hebrews 6:18]]) is a cornerstone of biblical theology. It reveals that God's "impossibility" is not a limitation of weakness, but a testament to His perfect, unchangeable, and trustworthy character. God cannot act contrary to His own holy nature, providing a firm foundation for faith and hope in His promises.
4. **The New Covenant's Superiority:** By declaring the Law ἀδύνατος to save, Paul implicitly argues for the superiority of the new covenant in Christ. What the Law could not achieve due to human weakness, God accomplished through the sending of His Son, providing a means of righteousness and life that was otherwise impossible.
### Summary
The Greek word ἀδύνατος (adýnatos) fundamentally signifies "unable" or "impossible," derived from the negation of "able" or "powerful." Its biblical usage spans two main areas: describing human physical or spiritual impotence (e.g., [[Acts 14:8]]) and, more significantly, denoting objective impossibility. This latter sense is frequently employed to contrast human limitations with God's limitless power (e.g., [[Matthew 19:26]]), highlighting that what is utterly beyond human capacity is entirely possible for God. Crucially, it describes the Law's inherent inability to justify humanity due to the weakness of the flesh ([[Romans 8:3]]) and affirms that certain actions, such as lying, are impossible for God because they contradict His perfect nature ([[Hebrews 6:18]]). Thus, ἀδύνατος profoundly emphasizes human need for divine grace, the omnipotence of God, and the unwavering truthfulness of His character.
TRV