Topical Encyclopedia
The term "corruptible" in the Bible refers to that which is subject to decay, deterioration, or moral corruption. It is often used to contrast the temporal and perishable nature of earthly things with the eternal and incorruptible nature of spiritual realities.
Biblical Usage and Context1.
Physical Decay and Mortality: The concept of corruptibility is frequently associated with the physical body and the material world. In
1 Corinthians 15:53-54 , the Apostle Paul writes, "For the perishable must be clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come to pass: 'Death has been swallowed up in victory.'" Here, "perishable" is synonymous with "corruptible," highlighting the transient nature of human life and the promise of resurrection and eternal life through Christ.
2.
Moral and Spiritual Corruption: Corruptibility also pertains to moral and spiritual decay. In
Romans 1:23 , Paul describes humanity's tendency to exchange "the glory of the immortal God for images of mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles." This passage underscores the inclination towards idolatry and moral corruption when humanity turns away from God.
3.
Contrast with the Incorruptible: The Bible often contrasts corruptible things with the incorruptible. In
1 Peter 1:23 , believers are reminded that they have been "born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God." This highlights the transformative power of the Gospel, which brings about a new birth that is not subject to decay.
4.
Earthly Wealth and Treasures: Jesus teaches about the corruptible nature of earthly treasures in
Matthew 6:19-20 : "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal." This passage encourages believers to focus on eternal values rather than temporary, corruptible wealth.
5.
The Corruptible Nature of Human Wisdom: In
1 Corinthians 3:19 , Paul states, "For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight." Human wisdom, apart from God, is seen as corruptible and ultimately futile. Believers are called to seek divine wisdom, which is pure and enduring.
Theological ImplicationsThe concept of corruptibility serves as a reminder of the fallen state of the world and the human condition. It points to the need for redemption and the hope of transformation through Jesus Christ. The corruptible nature of the physical and moral world underscores the importance of seeking the incorruptible—eternal life, divine wisdom, and spiritual treasures. Through faith in Christ, believers are promised a future where corruptibility is replaced by incorruptibility, mortality by immortality, and temporal by eternal.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
a.) Capable of being bribed; subject to decay or impurity.
2. (a.) Capable of being corrupted, or morally vitiated; susceptible of depravation.
3. (n.) That which may decay and perish; the human body.
Greek
5349. phthartos -- perishable,corruptible... perishable,
corruptible. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: phthartos Phonetic
Spelling: (fthar-tos') Short Definition:
corruptible, perishable
...862. aphthartos -- undecaying, ie imperishable
... From a (as a negative particle) and a derivative of phtheiro; undecaying (in essence
or continuance) -- not (in-, un-)corruptible, immortal. see GREEK a....
Library
That God is notCorruptible, Who, if He Were, Would not be God at...
... Book VII. Chapter IV."That God is NotCorruptible, Who, If He Were, Would
Not Be God at All. 6. For I was so struggling to find...
Corruptible and Temporary Things Made by the Incorruptible and...
... Book III. Chapter XXIX."Corruptible and Temporary Things Made by the
Incorruptible and Eternal. Then Simon: "It does not seem...
NaturesCorruptible, Because Made of Nothing.
... Concerning the Nature of Good, Against the Manich??ans. Chapter 10. "Natures
Corruptible, Because Made of Nothing. Allcorruptible...
The Disputation of Nebridius against the Manich??ans, on the...
... Book VII. Chapter II."The Disputation of Nebridius Against the Manich??ans, on
the Question "Whether God BeCorruptible or Incorruptible."....
The Image Cannot Represent the True Form of God, Else God Would be...
... Against the Heathen. Section 22. The image cannot represent the true form
of God, else God would becorruptible. For if the reason...
Whether Death and Other Defects are Natural to Man
... genera. But man belongs to the same genus as other animals, and they are
naturallycorruptible. Hence man is naturallycorruptible....
Whether Death and Other Defects are Natural to Man?
... For "thecorruptible and the incorruptible differ generically" (Metaph.... But man is
of the same genus as other animals which are naturallycorruptible....
Whether the Bodies of the Damned Will be Incorruptible?
... Objection 1: It would seem that the bodies of the damned will becorruptible. For
everything composed of contraries must necessarily becorruptible....
Whether in the State of Innocence Generation Existed?
... Objection 2: Further, the object of generation is the preservation in the
species of that which iscorruptible in the individual....
That the Sin is Caused not by the Flesh, but by the Soul, and that...
... For "thecorruptible body, indeed, weigheth down the soul." [646] Whence, too, the
apostle, speaking of thiscorruptible body, of which he had shortly before...
Thesaurus
Corruptible (7 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Corruptible (7 Occurrences).
... Now they do it to receive
a
corruptible crown, but we an incorruptible. (WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT).
...Incorruptible (8 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Notcorruptible; incapable of corruption,
decay, or dissolution; as, gold is incorruptible. 2. (a...
Mortal (35 Occurrences)
... Romans 1:23 and traded the glory of the incorruptible God for the likeness of an
image ofcorruptible man, and of birds, and four-footed animals, and creeping...
Incorruption (6 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV ASV WBS YLT). 1 Corinthians 15:53 For thiscorruptible must put on
incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. (WEB KJV ASV WBS YLT)....
Incorruptibility (7 Occurrences)
... incorruptibility. (DBY). 1 Corinthians 15:53 For thiscorruptible must needs put
on incorruptibility, and this mortal put on immortality. (DBY)....
Mortality (3 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Mortality (3 Occurrences). 1 Corinthians 15:53 For this
corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality....
Corrupting (5 Occurrences)
Quadrupeds (3 Occurrences)
... (WEY DBY). Romans 1:23 and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into the likeness
of an image ofcorruptible man and of birds and quadrupeds and reptiles....
Victory (71 Occurrences)
... 1 Corinthians 15:54 But when thiscorruptible will have put on incorruption, and
this mortal will have put on immortality, then what is written will happen...
Uncorruptible (1 Occurrence)
... Romans 1:23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like
tocorruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things...
Resources
What is the weight of glory in 2 Corinthians 4:17? | GotQuestions.orgIs it true that the bodies of some saints are incorruptible? | GotQuestions.orgCorruptible: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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