The Greek word φθείρω, phtheiro occurs nine times in the New Testament, often translated as “corrupt” or “destroy.” Of those occurrences, only three relate to possible support of annihilationism. Those verses are 1 Cor. 3:17, 2 Pet. 2:12, and Jude 10.  In 1 Cor. 3:17 the context does not necessitate annihilationism. It could be understood to mean spiritual death (i.e., separation from God, Is. 59:2) which is not specified. However, some annihilationists might assert that the verse requires an interpretation of nonexistence since, if the human body “temple of God” is destroyed, then he will be destroyed in the afterlife. But, this is not necessarily the case since it is an unproven assumption. Physical destruction doesn’t necessitate the nonexistence of the soul (see 2 Cor. 5:8; 2 Cor. 12:2). We must examine the entire Bible to see how death, destruction, etc., are used in relation to continued conscious torment or the possibility of annihilationism.

Jude 10 says that the wicked are destroyed, but the context implies physical death. Though it’s possible the verse could be used to support annihilationism, their interpretations are not necessary.  Such destruction could also mean punishment by God.  Therefore, this verse is not proof of conditional immortality.

• Greek word:  φθείρω, phtheiro
• Meaning:  to waste, corrupt, destroy
• Strong’s #: G5351
• Frequency:  9 occurrences in 8 verses.

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

1. Corruption, 4 occurrences
   1. 1 Cor. 15:33, bad company corrupts good morals
   2. 2 Cor. 7:2, we corrupted and took advantage of no one
   3. Eph. 4:22, the old self is being corrupted
   4. Rev. 19:2, the harlot who was corrupting the earth
2. Led astray, 1 occurrence
   1. 2 Cor. 11:3, don’t let your minds be led astray
3. Physical and/or spiritual death, 3 occurrences
   1. 1 Cor. 3:17, if a man destroys the temple of God, God will destroy him
   2. 2 Pet. 2:12, evil people will in the destruction of those wicked, will also be destroyed
   3. Jude 10, people are destroyed like unreasong animals

 

TABLE OF ALL NEW TESTAMENT USAGES OF PHTHEIRO, φθείρω
Address	Verse	Meaning
1 Cor. 3:17	“If any man destroys the temple of God, God will destroy him, for the temple of God is holy, and that is what you are.”	Physical and/or spiritual death
1 Cor. 15:33	“Do not be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good morals.””	Corruption
2 Cor. 7:2	“Make room for us in your hearts; we wronged no one, we corrupted no one, we took advantage of no one.”	Corruption
2 Cor. 11:3	“But I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds will be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ.”	Led astray
Eph. 4:22	“that, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit,”	Corruption
2 Pet. 2:12	“But these, like unreasoning animals, born as creatures of instinct to be captured and killed, reviling where they have no knowledge, will in the destruction of those creatures also be destroyed.“	Physical and/or spiritual death
Jude 10	“But these men revile the things which they do not understand; and the things which they know by instinct, like unreasoning animals, by these things they are destroyed.”	Physical and/or spiritual death
Rev. 19:2	“BECAUSE HIS JUDGMENTS ARE TRUE AND RIGHTEOUS; for He has judged the great harlot who was corrupting the earth with her immorality, and HE HAS AVENGED THE BLOOD OF HIS BOND-SERVANTS ON HER.””	Corruption

 

Dictionaries and Lexicons consulted

• “φθείρω, phtheírō; fut. phtherṓ, from phthíō or phthínō (n.f.), to waste, pine. To corrupt, destroy. Trans. to destroy, punish with destruction, bring to a worse state (1 Cor. 3:17). To corrupt, spoil, vitiate, in a moral or spiritual sense (1 Cor. 15:33; Eph. 4:22; Jude 1:10; Rev. 19:2). To corrupt, with the meaning of to subvert or corrupt opinions (2 Cor. 7:2; 11:3; see Sept.: Gen. 6:3; Is. 54:16; Jer. 13:9). Also from phthínō (n.f.): phthinopōrinós (5352), whose fruit withered. Deriv.: diaptheírō (1311), to corrupt completely, decay utterly, destroy; kataphtheírō (2704), to corrupt fully, destroy utterly, spoil entirely, deprave; phthartós (5349), corruptible; phthorá (5356), corruption, both physical and spiritual. Syn.: ḗpō (4595), to rot.”
  • Zodhiates, Spiros. The Complete Word Study Dictionary: New Testament. Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers, 2000.
• “φθείρωa to ruin or destroy something, with the implication of causing something to be corrupt and thus to cease to exist—‘to destroy.’ εἴ τις τὸν ναὸν τοῦ θεοῦ φθείρει, φθερεῖ τοῦτον ὁ θεός ‘so if anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him’ 1 Cor 3:17.”
  • Louw, Johannes P., and Eugene Albert Nida. Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament: Based on Semantic Domains. New York: United Bible Societies, 1996.
• “φθείρω [phtheiro /fthi·ro/] v. Probably strengthened from phthio (to pine or waste); TDNT 9:93; TDNTA 1259; GK 5780; Eight occurrences; AV translates as “corrupt” four times, “corrupt (one’s) self” once, “be corrupt” once, “defile” once, and “destroy” once. 1 to corrupt, to destroy. 1A in the opinion of the Jews, the temple was corrupted or “destroyed” when anyone defiled or in the slightest degree damaged anything in it, or if its guardians neglected their duties. 1B to lead away a Christian church from that state of knowledge and holiness in which it ought to abide. 1C to be destroyed, to perish. 1D in an ethical sense, to corrupt, deprave.”
  • Strong, James. Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon. Woodside Bible Fellowship, 1995