Word Study for G1311 (διαφθείρω)

diaphtheírō /dee-af-thi'-ro/ Ask about this word

Rootfrom διαβάλλω and φθείρω

Meaningto rot thoroughly, i.e. (by implication) to ruin (passively, decay utterly, figuratively, pervert)

KJV usagecorrupt, destroy, perish.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of diaphtheírō — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Greek word diaphtheírō, represented by G1311, means to rot thoroughly, ruin, or pervert. It appears 6 times across 5 unique verses in the Bible. The term carries a strong sense of utter decay and ruin, used to describe concepts like perishing, being corrupted, or being destroyed.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In scripture, G1311 is applied in various contexts to illustrate both physical and moral decay. It is used to describe the perishing of the "outward man" in contrast to the renewal of the inward man 2 Corinthians 4:16. In Luke 12:33, it refers to the physical corruption of earthly treasures by a moth. The term also signifies complete destruction, as when the third part of the ships were destroyed in Revelation Revelation 8:9. Furthermore, it is used to describe moral ruin, as in "men of corrupt minds" who are destitute of truth 1 Timothy 6:5. In a climactic sense, it is used to describe God's final judgment, where He will destroy those who destroy the earth Revelation 11:18.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words provide deeper context for the idea of decay and its opposite:

G1573 ekkakéō (to be weak, to fail in heart): This word is used to describe the believer's response to the outward man perishing, which is not to faint or grow weary 2 Corinthians 4:16.
G3822 palaióō (to make worn out, or declare obsolete): This term is used in contrast to G1311, describing heavenly bags that do not wax old while earthly things are subject to corruption Luke 12:33.
G2919 krínō (to distinguish, decide, condemn): This word appears alongside G1311 in the context of divine judgment, when the time comes for the dead to be judged and for God to destroy those who destroy the earth Revelation 11:18.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of G1311 is significant, highlighting key spiritual truths.

Physical vs. Spiritual Reality: The word distinguishes between the temporary physical world and the eternal spiritual realm. While the "outward man" may perish, the inner self is renewed, pointing to a reality beyond physical decay 2 Corinthians 4:16.
Moral Corruption: G1311 is used to define a state of moral and intellectual decay, describing those with corrupt minds who have turned from the truth for personal gain 1 Timothy 6:5.
Divine Judgment: The term is central to the concept of divine retribution. God's wrath is directed at those who destroy the earth, and His final action is to destroy them in turn, establishing ultimate justice Revelation 11:18.
Vanity of Earthly Treasure: The use of G1311 in reference to a moth that corrupteth illustrates the impermanence of material wealth compared to the secure, unfailing treasure found in heaven Luke 12:33.

Summary

In summary, G1311 is a powerful word that conveys a sense of thorough ruin and decay. It is applied to the physical body, material possessions, and even the human mind. The term serves to draw a sharp contrast between the corruptible, temporary nature of the earthly realm and the eternal, incorruptible promises of God, which culminate in a final judgment where destruction is met with destruction.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Greek New Testament, this word appears as a verb across 7 occurrences, inflected in 7 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form.

2nd Aorist Passive Indicative 3rd Plural 1×
Aorist Active Infinitive 1×
Imperfect Active Indicative 3rd Singular 1×
Perfect Passive Participle Genitive Plural Masculine 1×
Present Active Indicative 3rd Singular 1×
Present Active Participle Accusative Plural Masculine 1×
Present Passive Indicative 3rd Singular 1×

Genitive: Possession or source — often "of".
Accusative: The direct object of the verb.
Singular: One.
Plural: More than one.
Masculine: Masculine grammatical gender.
2nd: Second person — the one addressed ("you").
3rd: Third person — the one spoken about ("he"/"they").
Present: Action in progress or repeated — happening now or continually.
Imperfect: Ongoing or repeated action in the past — "was doing".
Aorist: Action viewed as a single whole — usually a simple past event.
Perfect: A completed act whose results continue.
Active: The subject performs the action.
Passive: The subject is acted upon.
Indicative: A plain statement of fact.
Infinitive: The verb as a noun — "to do".
Participle: A verbal adjective — describes while carrying the verb's action.

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

Appears in 5 verses across 4 of the 27 books. Most frequent in Revelation (2 verses); never once in the other 23.

Luke

2 Corinthians

1 Timothy

Revelation

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.