ἄσπονδος (G0786) — irreconcilable, implacable¶
Part of the 2 Timothy 3:1–5 Vice List study
Contents¶
- Overview
- Etymology and Semantic Range
- OT / LXX Background
- NT Distribution
- Theological Note
- NT Occurrences
Overview¶
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Strong's | G0786 |
| Greek | ἄσπονδος |
| Transliteration | aspondos |
| Gloss | irreconcilable, implacable |
| 2 Tim 3 verse | 3:3 |
| KJV rendering | "trucebreakers" |
| NT occurrences | 2 (2 books) |
| LXX occurrences (canonical) | 0 |
Etymology and Semantic Range¶
Alpha-privative + σπονδή (libation, treaty, truce). A σπονδή was the drink offering that sealed a treaty; ἄσπονδος is one who refuses to enter into any truce or cannot be reconciled.
NT: only 2 Tim 3:3 and Rom 1:31. The KJV "trucebreaker" slightly mistranslates: the term does not mean one who breaks an existing truce but one who is unwilling to make peace at all — implacable, perpetually at odds.
OT / LXX Background¶
No LXX occurrences. Hebrew שָׁלוֹם (peace, wholeness) provides the conceptual background: the ἄσπονδος is the one incapable of שָׁלוֹם with others.
NT Distribution¶
Theological Note¶
The KJV translation "trucebreaker" has shaped much English preaching on this verse, but the underlying sense is more radical: not treachery toward an existing agreement, but refusal to seek peace at all.
NT Occurrences¶
| Reference | Greek form | KJV text |
|---|---|---|
| Rom 1:31 | ἀσπόνδους, | Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: |
| 2Ti 3:3 | ἄσπονδοι, | Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are goo… |