νεκρόω

I put to death, render weak

Definition

The verb νεκρόω (nekroō) means 'to put to death' or 'to make dead' in a literal sense, but it is more frequently used metaphorically in the New Testament to mean 'to render powerless,' 'to deprive of strength,' or 'to consider as dead.' In Romans 4:19, it describes Abraham's faith in considering his own aged body and Sarah's barren womb as effectively 'dead' or incapable of producing offspring, yet he still believed God's promise. In Colossians 3:5, it is used in an ethical command: believers are to 'put to death' (νεκρώσατε) their earthly, sinful nature. In Hebrews 11:12, it refers again to Abraham's body being 'as good as dead' (νεκρωθέντος), emphasizing human impossibility contrasted with God's power.

Biblical Usage

This word is used three times in the New Testament, always in a metaphorical or figurative sense, even when referring to physical conditions. It appears in Pauline literature (Romans 4:19; Colossians 3:5) and Hebrews (11:12). In Romans and Hebrews, it describes rendering something powerless or ineffective, particularly in the context of faith overcoming human limitation. In Colossians, it is an imperative for moral action—actively putting sin to death. The pattern shows it is used to express the negation of natural capacity or vitality, whether for faith or holiness.

Etymology

Derived from the Greek adjective νεκρός (nekros, G3498), meaning 'dead' or 'corpse.' The verb νεκρόω is a denominative verb, meaning it is formed from a noun/adjective to mean 'to make like' that root—hence, 'to make dead.' Cognates include νέκυς (nekys, a corpse) and the verb ἀποθνῄσκω (apothnēskō, G599, 'to die'). The meaning developed from the literal act of killing to the broader metaphorical sense of nullifying strength or potential.

Semantic Range

This word is theologically significant as it bridges the concepts of death and spiritual vitality. It highlights the active role of faith (as in Abraham's story) in regarding human impossibility as 'dead' in light of God's promise. In Colossians 3:5, it is central to the doctrine of sanctification, commanding believers to actively mortify sin. Understanding νεκρόω enriches reading by showing that 'putting to death' is not always physical but often a spiritual reckoning—declaring something powerless through faith or decisive action.

In the ancient Greco-Roman world, death was a definitive end with no return by natural means. Thus, to declare something 'as dead' (νεκρόω) was to assert its complete lack of function or hope. This cultural understanding of death's finality amplifies the metaphorical use: when Abraham considered his body 'dead,' it underscored a humanly hopeless situation, making God's intervention all the more miraculous. The ethical command in Colossians uses this strong imagery to convey the total renunciation required for holiness.

θανατόω (thanatoō, G2289) — focuses more on the act of killing or condemning to death, often in a judicial or literal sense. ἀποκτείνω (apokteinō, G615) — the most common word for 'to kill,' typically literal and physical. ἀποθνῄσκω (apothnēskō, G599) — means 'to die,' indicating the state or event of death rather than the causative action.

Word Details

Scripture References