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G889 · Greek · New Testament
ἀχρειόω
achreioo
Verb
to make worthless; to corrupt; to become useless

Definition

Achreioo (ἀχρειόω) means "to make useless, to corrupt, to render worthless." It appears once in Romans 3:12, where Paul quotes Psalm 14:3 (LXX) describing universal moral corruption: "All have turned away, they have together become worthless [ēchreōthēsan]."

Usage & Theological Significance

Romans 3:12 is part of Paul's sweeping indictment of all humanity (Romans 3:9–20). The word achreioo — to be made worthless — describes sin's corrupting effect on human nature. This is not merely moral failure; it is the fundamental inability to function as God designed. The corruption is total in extent: all have turned away. This total corruption is the backdrop against which God's grace blazes: though humanity has been made worthless by sin, God in Christ makes us "a new creation" (2 Corinthians 5:17), restoring value and purpose.

Key Bible Verses

Romans 3:12 All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good.
Psalm 14:3 All have turned away, all have become corrupt; there is no one who does good.
Romans 3:23 For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
2 Corinthians 5:17 If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!
Titus 3:5 He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy.

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