### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek verb ἀχρειόω (achreióō) is derived from the adjective ἀχρεῖος (achreios) `{{G888}}`, meaning "useless," "unprofitable," or "good for nothing." The verbal suffix -όω indicates a causative action, thus ἀχρειόω signifies "to render useless," "to make unprofitable," "to spoil," or "to corrupt." It implies a process of deterioration from a state of usefulness or value to one of worthlessness or spiritual inadequacy. This is not merely a passive state of being useless, but an active process of becoming or being made so, often due to moral or spiritual corruption.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term ἀχρειόω (achreióō) appears only once in the New Testament, in the book of Romans, where it is a direct quotation from the Septuagint (LXX) version of Psalm 14:3 (Psalm 53:3 in the Masoretic Text).
* **[[Romans 3:12]]**: "They have all turned aside; they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one."
* The Greek phrase is "ἅμα ἠχρειώθησαν" (hama ēchreiōthēsan), where ἠχρειώθησαν is the aorist passive indicative form of ἀχρειόω.
* In its context within Romans 3, Paul is building a comprehensive case for universal human sinfulness. The phrase "they have together become worthless" immediately follows "they have all turned aside," indicating that a turning away from God's path leads to a state of moral and spiritual uselessness or corruption.
* This "worthlessness" is not a statement about human inability to perform good deeds in a general sense, but rather a profound theological declaration about humanity's inability to achieve righteousness or please God through its own efforts, due to the pervasive nature of sin. Humanity, in its fallen state, is rendered incapable of producing true spiritual good in God's eyes.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **ἀχρεῖος (achreios) `{{G888}}`**: The root adjective from which ἀχρειόω is formed. It appears in [[Matthew 25:30]] ("worthless servant") and [[Luke 17:10]] ("unprofitable servants"), describing those who have failed to meet the expected standard of usefulness or duty.
* **χρεῖος (chreios) / χρεία (chreia) `{{G5532}}`**: Words related to need, usefulness, or necessity. ἀχρειόω is the direct antonym, signifying the absence or negation of these qualities.
* **ἀργός (argos) `{{G692}}`**: Meaning "idle," "inactive," or "unproductive." While ἀργός can describe a lack of fruitfulness, ἀχρειόω specifically emphasizes the *process* or *result* of being rendered useless, often through moral decay or corruption.
* **φθείρω (phtheirō) `{{G5351}}`**: "To corrupt," "to destroy," "to spoil." This verb shares semantic overlap with ἀχρειόω in conveying a sense of ruin or moral decay.
* **Sin and Depravity**: The concept of ἀχρειόω in [[Romans 3:12]] is intrinsically linked to the biblical doctrine of human sinfulness and total depravity. It articulates the spiritual bankruptcy of humanity apart from divine grace.
### Theological Significance
The single, yet strategically placed, occurrence of ἀχρειόω in [[Romans 3:12]] carries immense theological weight. It serves as a foundational declaration for Paul's argument concerning universal human sinfulness and the absolute necessity of God's righteousness through faith.
* **Radical Depravity**: The term underscores the radical nature of humanity's fallen state. Sin does not merely diminish human capacity for good; it actively *renders* humanity spiritually useless or worthless in its ability to seek or please God on its own terms. This is a profound statement about humanity's moral and spiritual incapacitation before a holy God.
* **Necessity of Grace**: Because humanity has been "rendered useless" for good, salvation cannot originate from human effort, merit, or inherent goodness. This truth highlights the indispensable need for divine intervention and the gracious provision of salvation through Jesus Christ.
* **Foundation for Justification by Faith**: By establishing humanity's state of utter spiritual unprofitability, Paul lays the groundwork for his exposition of justification by faith in [[Romans 3:21]]ff. The "worthlessness" of humanity necessitates a righteousness that is imputed by God, rather than achieved by human works. The word reinforces that human beings are utterly dependent on God's initiative for redemption.
### Summary
The Greek verb ἀχρειόω (achreióō), meaning "to render useless" or "to make unprofitable," appears crucially in [[Romans 3:12]]. Quoting the Septuagint, Paul uses this term to describe the universal condition of humanity, which, having "turned aside" through sin, has "together become worthless" in God's sight. This potent word highlights the profound spiritual incapacitation and moral corruption that prevents humanity from producing true good or achieving righteousness independently. It underscores the radical nature of human sinfulness and, consequently, the absolute necessity of God's gracious intervention for salvation. ἀχρειόω thus serves as a theological cornerstone, emphasizing humanity's fallen state and its complete dependence on divine grace for redemption.
TRV