A noun meaning 'official decision' or 'sentence.' Used in 2 Corinthians 1:9 where Paul describes receiving the inner 'sentence of death' -- a divine verdict designed to kill self-reliance and produce resurrection-dependence.
God allowed Paul to reach the end of himself so he would 'rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead' (2 Corinthians 1:9). Every 'sentence of death' experienced in faith becomes testimony to the God of resurrection. The paschal rhythm -- death then life -- shapes all apostolic ministry.