Word Study for G94 (ἄδικος) | Strong's Concordance

ádikos /ad'-ee-kos/ Ask about this word

Rootfrom Α (as a negative particle) and δίκη

Meaningunjust; by extension wicked; by implication, treacherous; specially, heathen

KJV usageunjust, unrighteous.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of ádikos — 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 ádikos, represented by G94, defines what is unjust or unrighteous. Appearing 12 times across 11 unique verses, it describes a state of being wicked, treacherous, or in opposition to what is right. It is formed from a negative particle combined with the root for justice, literally meaning "not just."

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In scripture, G94 is used to establish a clear moral and spiritual distinction. It describes those who will not inherit the kingdom of God 1 Corinthians 6:9 and is often contrasted with the "just." For instance, God sends rain on both the just and the unjust Matthew 5:45, and there will be a resurrection for both groups Acts 24:15. The word is also used to characterize worldly wealth as "unrighteous mammon" Luke 16:11 and to affirm God's character by stating that He is not unrighteous Hebrews 6:10. In a parable, one who is unjust in a small matter is considered unjust in much Luke 16:10.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words provide a fuller understanding of justice and its absence:

G93 adikía (iniquity, unjust, unrighteousness, wrong): This noun form refers to the quality or act of injustice. It is used in Romans 3:5, where human unrighteousness is contrasted with the righteousness of God.
G1342 díkaios (just, meet, right(-eous)): As the direct antonym of ádikos, this word describes what is equitable and right. The contrast is made clear in 1 Peter 3:18, where Christ, the just, suffered for the unjust.
G1343 dikaiosýnē (righteousness): This term represents the concept of equity and justification. It appears in Romans 3:5, where God's righteousness is commended even in light of human unrighteousness.

Theological Significance

The theological significance of G94 is profound, as it clarifies key concepts of sin, judgment, and redemption.

Moral Condition: The term defines a state of being that is contrary to God's nature. A Pharisee, praying to God, thanks Him for not being like other men who are extortioners or unjust Luke 18:11.
Divine Judgment: The unjust are reserved for the day of judgment to be punished 2 Peter 2:9, and they face a future resurrection alongside the just Acts 24:15. This establishes a universal accountability before God.
Exclusion and Atonement: Being unrighteous disqualifies one from inheriting the kingdom of God 1 Corinthians 6:9. However, this separation is addressed through Christ's death, who as the "just for the unjust," acted to bring humanity to God 1 Peter 3:18.

Summary

In summary, G94 is more than a simple descriptor of unfairness. It is a critical biblical term that defines the moral state of those alienated from God's standard of righteousness. It establishes a fundamental contrast between the just and the unjust, highlighting the consequences of sin while also framing the necessity of Christ's atoning work to reconcile humanity to a just God.

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 an adjective across 12 occurrences, inflected in 5 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form.

Nominative Singular Masculine 4×
Genitive Plural Masculine 3×
Accusative Plural Masculine 2×
Nominative Plural Masculine 2×
Dative Singular Masculine 1×

Nominative: The subject of the verb.
Genitive: Possession or source — often "of".
Dative: The indirect object — often "to" or "for".
Accusative: The direct object of the verb.
Singular: One.
Plural: More than one.
Masculine: Masculine grammatical gender.

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 11 verses across 8 of the 27 books. Most frequent in Luke (3 verses); never once in the other 19.

Matthew

Luke

Acts

Romans

1 Corinthians

Hebrews

1 Peter

2 Peter

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.