ἄστοργος (G0794) — without natural affection, unloving¶
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 | G0794 |
| Greek | ἄστοργος |
| Transliteration | astorgos |
| Gloss | without natural affection, unloving |
| 2 Tim 3 verse | 3:3 |
| KJV rendering | "without natural affection" |
| NT occurrences | 2 (2 books) |
| LXX occurrences (canonical) | 0 |
Etymology and Semantic Range¶
Alpha-privative + στοργή (natural familial love, especially between parents and children). Appears in NT only here and Rom 1:31.
στοργή (the base term) does not itself appear in the NT but is common in classical Greek for the instinctive love of family members. Its absence — ἄστοργος — describes those in whom even this most basic bond has dissolved.
OT / LXX Background¶
No LXX occurrences. The Hebrew Bible speaks of parental love through terms like רַחֲמִים (compassion, womb-love; Psa 103:13) and the image of a nursing mother (Isa 49:15).
NT Distribution¶
Theological Note¶
Rom 1:31 places ἄστοργος at the nadir of the pagan moral descent — the point where even nature's own bonds break down. Paul returns to it here as a mark of the last-days apostasy within the church community.
NT Occurrences¶
| Reference | Greek form | KJV text |
|---|---|---|
| Rom 1:31 | ἀστόργους | Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: |
| 2Ti 3:3 | ἄστοργοι, | Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are goo… |