The Greek word ὄλεθρος, olethros occurs four times in the New Testament. It means “destroy” and refers to the destruction of a person’s physical body (1 Cor. 5:5), unspecified destruction (1 Thess. 5:3), eternal destruction (2 Thess. 1:9), and ruin or spiritual death (1 Tim. 6:9). Of the verses mentioned, only 2 Thess. 1:9 and 1 Timothy 6:9 relate to the possible nonexistence of people. But, the context does not determine whether the destruction is annihilation or continued existence in the final judgment. Therefore, none of the verses that contain the Greek word olethros can be used to prove annihilationism is true.

• Greek word:  ὄλεθρος, olethros
• Meaning:  destroy, kill, ruin
• Strong’s #: G3639
• Frequency:  4 occurrences in 4 verses.

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

1. Physical death, 1 occurrence
   1. 1 Cor. 5:5, destruction of a person’s flash
2. Spiritual death, 1 occurrence
   1. 1 Tim. 6:9, men are plunged into ruin and destruction
3. Unspecified, 2 occurrences
   1. 1 Thess. 5:3, destruction will come upon them
   2. 2 Thess. 1:9, these will pay the penalty of eternal destruction

 

TABLE OF ALL NEW TESTAMENT USEAGES OF OLETHROS, ὄλεθρος
Address	Verse	Meaning
1 Cor. 5:5	“I have decided to deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of his flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.”	Physical Death
1 Thess. 5:3	“While they are saying, “Peace and safety!” then destruction will come upon them suddenly like labor pains upon a woman with child, and they will not escape”	Unspecified
2 Thess. 1:9	“These will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power”	Unspecified
1 Tim. 6:9	“But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction.”	Spiritual death

 

Dictionaries and Lexicons consulted

• “ὄλεθρος ólethros; gen. oléthrou, masc. noun, from óllumi (n.f.), to destroy, kill. Ruin, destruction. Used of divine punishment (1 Cor. 5:5; 1 Thess. 5:3; 2 Thess. 1:9; 1 Tim. 6:9; Sept.: Prov. 21:7). The verb óllumi (n.f.) does not occur, but its derivative, apóllumi (622), to destroy, does. The fundamental thought is not annihilation by any means, but unavoidable distress and torment. Deriv.: olothreúō (3645), to destroy. Syn.: phthorá (5356), corruption; diaphthorá (1312), complete destruction; apṓleia (684), perdition.”
  • Zodhiates, Spiros. The Complete Word Study Dictionary: New Testament. Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers, 2000
• “ὄλεθροςa, ου m: a state of utter ruin or destruction—‘ruin, destruction.’ αἵτινες βυθίζουσιν τοὺς ἀνθρώπους εἰς ὄλεθρον ‘which cause people to sink into ruin’ or ‘which ruin people’ 1 Tm 6:9.”
  • Louw, Johannes P., and Eugene Albert Nida. Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament: Based on Semantic Domains. New York: United Bible Societies, 1996.
• “ὀλέθριος, ὄλεθρος [olethros /ol·eth·ros/] n m. From a primary ollumi (to destroy, a prolonged form); TDNT 5:168; TDNTA 681; GK 3896 and 3897; Four occurrences; AV translates as “destruction” four times. 1 ruin, destroy, death. 1A for the destruction of the flesh, said of the external ills and troubles by which the lusts of the flesh are subdued and destroyed.”
  • Strong, James. Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon. Woodside Bible Fellowship, 1995.