ἥττημα

a defeat, failure

Definition

ἥττημα refers to a state of being overcome, defeated, or found lacking. It primarily denotes a 'defeat' or 'failure' in a contest or conflict, as seen in 1 Corinthians 6:7, where it describes the spiritual and relational loss incurred by believers taking each other to court. In Romans 11:12, it carries the sense of a 'diminution,' 'loss,' or 'shortcoming'—specifically, the spiritual deficit or stumbling of Israel that paradoxically brought riches to the Gentiles. Thus, the word encompasses both active defeat and a resulting state of deficiency.

Biblical Usage

This word appears only twice in the New Testament, both in Pauline epistles, and is used in argumentative or rhetorical contexts about loss and consequence. In 1 Corinthians 6:7, Paul uses it to describe the utter defeat ('defect' or 'loss') believers suffer when they sue one another publicly. In Romans 11:12, it describes Israel's 'failure' or 'diminution' in rejecting the gospel, which Paul frames as the occasion for Gentile inclusion. In both cases, the word highlights a negative outcome with broader implications.

Etymology

Derived from the verb ἡττάομαι (hēttaomai, G2274), meaning 'to be inferior,' 'to be defeated,' or 'to suffer loss.' The noun form ἥττημα concretizes the result of that action—the defeat or the loss itself. It belongs to a word family dealing with being overcome, bested, or found wanting.

Semantic Range

ἥττημα is theologically significant as it frames spiritual failure within God's sovereign plan. In Romans 11:12, Israel's 'defeat' (ἥττημα) is not a final tragedy but a temporary loss that leads to the enrichment of the Gentiles and, ultimately, to Israel's future restoration ('how much more their fullness!'). This reveals the paradoxical way God can use human failure to accomplish his redemptive purposes. In 1 Corinthians 6:7, it underscores the severe spiritual loss that occurs when the church fails to live in unity, viewing internal lawsuits as a defeat worse than any material loss.

In the Greco-Roman world, the term was used in contexts of military, athletic, or legal contests, denoting a clear loss or being bested by an opponent. Paul's use in 1 Corinthians 6:7 taps directly into the cultural shame associated with public legal defeat, especially among kin or community members. His argument subverts cultural norms by asserting that 'suffering wrong' is preferable to the spiritual 'defeat' (ἥττημα) of winning a lawsuit against a fellow believer.

ἁμαρτία (hamartia, G266) — a broader term for 'sin' or 'missing the mark,' whereas ἥττημα specifies the resulting state of defeat or loss. ζημία (zēmia, G2209) — a 'loss' or 'damage,' often of a more material or penal nature, while ἥττημα can include relational and spiritual defeat.

Word Details

Scripture References