ἀπόκριμα

an answer, a judicial decision

Definition

ἀπόκριμα is a noun meaning 'an answer' or, more specifically, 'a judicial decision' or 'a sentence.' It carries a formal, official connotation, often implying a definitive reply given by an authority. In its sole New Testament occurrence in 2 Corinthians 1:9, it refers to the 'sentence of death' that Paul felt within himself during a severe trial in Asia. This usage highlights the word's connection to a final, authoritative pronouncement on a matter, akin to a verdict from a judge.

Biblical Usage

This word is used only once in the New Testament, in 2 Corinthians 1:9. It appears in a deeply personal context where the Apostle Paul describes a life-threatening affliction. He states that he and his companions received within themselves the 'ἀπόκριμα of death' (τὸ ἀπόκριμα τοῦ θανάτου). Here, it is not a simple answer but a definitive, internalized verdict or sentence pronounced by their circumstances, underscoring their utter reliance on God who raises the dead.

Etymology

Derived from the verb ἀποκρίνομαι (apokrinomai, G611), meaning 'to answer' or 'to reply.' The noun form ἀπόκριμα thus denotes the thing that is given as an answer—the reply or decision itself. It is formed from the prefix ἀπό- (apo-, indicating origin or source) and the root related to judgment or decision (κρίμα, krima). Its meaning developed from a general 'answer' to a more formal, decisive pronouncement.

Semantic Range

This word is theologically significant as it captures the profound human experience of despair and divine deliverance. In 2 Corinthians 1:9, Paul's 'sentence of death' becomes the very context that reveals God's power to raise the dead. Understanding ἀπόκριμα as a judicial verdict deepens our appreciation of this passage: Paul's trial was not just hardship, but a divinely permitted judgment meant to strip away self-reliance and demonstrate that our ultimate hope and 'answer' is found only in the God of resurrection.

In the Greco-Roman world, an ἀπόκριμα would be understood as the official decision from a magistrate, judge, or oracle. It was a definitive, often binding pronouncement. Paul's use of this term for an internal feeling aligns with a common metaphorical extension, where one's circumstances or conscience is personified as a judge issuing a verdict. This cultural understanding adds weight to Paul's description, framing his experience as one of receiving an inescapable, authoritative decree from his situation.

ἀπόκρισις (apokrisis, G612) — a more general term for an answer or reply, without the strong judicial connotation. κρίμα (krima, G2917) — a judgment, condemnation, or lawsuit; focuses more on the act of judging or its result than on the responsive nature of an answer.

Word Details

Scripture References