ἀμάρτυρος

without witness, untestified to

Definition

The adjective ἀμάρτυρος means 'without witness' or 'untestified to,' describing something that lacks supporting testimony or evidence. In its sole New Testament occurrence in Acts 14:17, it refers to God's providential care in nature, which is a constant, non-verbal witness to His existence and goodness, even though it is 'without witness' in the sense of not being formally attested by human testimony. The word emphasizes that while God has not left Himself entirely without a witness (cf. Acts 14:17), the witness of creation is general and non-verbal, contrasted with the specific, verbal witness of the gospel message. It carries the sense of something being unaccompanied by formal proof or attestation.

Biblical Usage

ἀμάρτυρος is used only once in the New Testament, in Acts 14:17. In this context, the Apostle Paul, speaking to a pagan audience in Lystra, states that God 'did not leave himself without witness' (οὐκ ἀμάρτυρον ἑαυτὸν ἀφῆκεν). The word is used negatively (οὐκ ἀμάρτυρον) to affirm that God has provided a witness to Himself through His benevolent acts in nature—such as giving rain and fruitful seasons—even among people who do not have the specific revelation of Scripture. The usage highlights the concept of general revelation.

Etymology

Derived from the alpha-privative prefix ἀ- (a-, meaning 'not' or 'without') combined with the root μάρτυς (martys, G3144), meaning 'witness.' Thus, it literally means 'without a witness.' It is a compound adjective formed in a common Greek pattern to indicate the absence of a quality. The root is also the source for the English word 'martyr,' which developed from the concept of one who bears witness even unto death.

Semantic Range

This word is theologically significant as it touches on the doctrine of God's general revelation. In Acts 14:17, it underscores that God's existence and character are made known to all humanity through the created order, leaving people without excuse (Romans 1:20). Understanding this Greek term enriches reading by highlighting the contrast Paul makes: while pagans lacked the specific 'witness' of the Law and Prophets, God was not 'without witness' altogether. It points to God's universal grace and the foundational knowledge of Him available to all, which prepares the way for the special revelation of the gospel.

In the Greco-Roman world, the concept of a 'witness' (μάρτυς) was crucial in legal and rhetorical contexts for establishing truth. For Paul's pagan audience in Lystra, familiar with myths about gods like Zeus and Hermes (Acts 14:12), the argument that the true God provides a continuous, reliable witness in the natural world would have been a powerful point of contact. It shifted the evidence for deity from capricious myths and temple oracles to the consistent, observable order of nature, which was a common theme in some strands of Greek philosophy (e.g., Stoicism).

ἄμαρτος (amartos, G299) — means 'sinful' or 'missing the mark,' sharing the alpha-privative prefix but from a different root (μαρτ- vs. ἁμαρτ-). ἀναπόλογητος (anapologētos, G379) — means 'without excuse' or 'inexcusable,' describing a state where one lacks a defense, similar in concept to being without a justifying witness (Romans 1:20).

Word Details

Scripture References