The Greek word diaphtheiro occurs only six times in the New Testament. The only usage where it refers to people is in Revelation 11:18. The context does not clarify whether the destruction means nonexistence or continued existence upon execution. Therefore, Rev. 11:18 cannot be used to prove conditional immortality.  But, it is used in relationship to decaying (2 Cor. 4:16), being of depraved mind (1 Tim. 6:5), generic destruction of people (Rev. 11:18), as well as the destruction of the earth by people – which means the earth is still there (Rev. 11:18), and nonexistence of possessions and ships (Luke 12:33; Rev. 8:9).  Therefore, this word does not demonstrate annihilationism is true.

• Greek word: διαφθείρω, diaphtheiro
• Meaning: to destroy utterly
• Strong’s #:  G1311
• Frequency:  6 occurrences in 5 verses.

Summary of the meaning of the Greek word diaphtheiro, destroy utterly, in all verses where it occurs in the New Testament.

1. Decaying, dying, 1 occurrence
   1. 2 Cor. 4:16
2. Depraved, 1 occurrence
   1. 1 Tim. 6:5
3. Generic destruction, 1 occurrence
   1. Rev. 11:18
4. Destruction (of the earth) but still there,
   1. Rev. 11:18
5. To not exist, 2 occurrences
   1. Luke 12:33; Rev. 8:9

 

TABLE OF ALL NEW TESTAMENT USAGES OF DIAPHTHEIRO, διαφθείρω
Address	Verse	Meaning
Luke 12:33	“Sell your possessions and give to charity; make yourselves money belts which do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near nor moth destroys.”	To not exist
2 Cor. 4:16	“Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day.”	Decaying, dying
1 Tim. 6:5	“and constant friction between men of depraved mind and deprived of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain.”	Depraved
Rev. 8:9	“and a third of the creatures which were in the sea and had life, died; and a third of the ships were destroyed.”	To not exist, Destroyed, but still there
Rev. 11:18	“And the nations were enraged, and Your wrath came, and the time came for the dead to be judged, and the time to reward Your bond-servants the prophets and the saints and those who fear Your name, the small and the great, and to destroy those who destroy the earth.”	Generic destruction and Destroyed, but still there

 

Dictionaries and Lexicons consulted

• “διαφθείρω diaphtheírō; fut. diaphtherṓ, from diá (1223), as an intens., and phtheírō (5351), to defile, destroy, corrupt. To corrupt throughout. Used trans. and in the pass. it means to decay wholly, to perish (Luke 12:33; 2 Cor. 4:16; Rev. 8:9; 11:18). Metaphorically and in a moral sense, to corrupt wholly, pervert (1 Tim. 6:5, meaning men of perverse minds). In the pres. part. acc. toús diaphtheírontas, “those corrupting the earth” (a.t.) in Rev. 11:18, it means those seducing the nations to idolatry (Sept.: Judg. 2:19).”
  • Zodhiates, Spiros. The Complete Word Study Dictionary: New Testament. Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers, 2000.
• “διαφθείρω: to cause the complete destruction of someone or something—‘to destroy utterly.’ τὸ τρίτον τῶν πλοίων διεφθάρησαν ‘a third of the ships were completely destroyed’ Re 8:9; διαφθεῖραι τοὺς διαφθείροντας τὴν γῆν ‘to destroy those who deprave the earth’ Re 11:18. In Re 11:18 there is a play on the two meanings of διαφθείρω. In the first instance, the meaning is destroy, but in the second instance the meaning is ‘to deprave’ (see 88.266).”
  • Louw, Johannes P., and Eugene Albert Nida. Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament: Based on Semantic Domains. New York: United Bible Societies, 1996
• “διαφθείρω [diaphtheiro /dee·af·thi·ro/] v. From 1225 and 5351; TDNT 9:93; TDNTA 1259; GK 1425; Six occurrences; AV translates as “destroy” three times, “corrupt” twice, and “perish” once. 1 to change for the worse, to corrupt. 1A of minds, morals. 2 to destroy, ruin. 2A to consume. 2A1 of bodily vigour and strength. 2A2 of the worm or moth that eats provisions, clothing, etc. 2B to destroy, to kill.”
  • Strong, James. Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon. Woodside Bible Fellowship, 1995.

 

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