The Greek word φθορά, phthora occurs nine times in the New Testament. The only possible usage where it could be related to human death and annihilationism is 2 Pet. 2:12. However, the context can mean physical or spiritual death. The potential condition of such a person in the afterlife is not clear. Therefore, this verse cannot be used as proof of annihilationism

• Greek word:  φθορά, phthora
• Meaning:  destruction, spoil, decay, ruin
• Strong’s #: G5356
• Frequency:  9 occurrences in 8 verses.

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

1. Corruption, 4 occurrences
   1. Rom. 8:21, creation set free from its slavery to corruption
   2. Gal. 6:8, moral corruption
   3. 2 Pet. 1:4, moral corruption
   4. 2 Pet. 2:19, moral corruption
2. Perishable, 3 occurrences
   1. 1 Cor. 15:42, our mortal parties are perishable
   2. 1 Cor. 15:50, our mortal bodies are perishable
   3.  Col. 2:22, referring to cleanliness laws
3. Physical and/or spiritual death, 2 occurrences
   1. 2 Pet. 2:12, physical death and/or spiritual death

 

TABLE OF ALL NEW TESTAMENT USAGES OF PHTHORA, φθορά
Address	Verse	Meaning
Rom. 8:21	“that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God.”	Corruption
1 Cor. 15:42	“So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown a perishable body, it is raised an imperishable body;”	Perishable
1 Cor. 15:50	“Now I say this, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable.”	Perishable
Gal. 6:8	“For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.”	Corruption
Col. 2:22	“(which all refer to things destined to perish with use)—in accordance with the commandments and teachings of men?”	Perishable
2 Pet. 1:4	“For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust.”	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
2 Pet. 2:19	“promising them freedom while they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by what a man is overcome, by this he is enslaved.”	Corruption

 

Dictionaries and Lexicons consulted

• “φθορά phthorá; gen. phthorás, fem. noun from phtheírō (5351), to corrupt. Spoiling, corruption, destruction, ruin, decay, generally a fraying or wasting away. (I) Destruction, deterioration, slaughter, change of existing state (2 Pet. 2:12).  (II) Death, corruption in a natural sense (1 Cor. 15:42; Gal. 6:8 [cf. Rom. 8:21]; Col. 2:22; Sept.: Ps. 103:4; Jon. 2:7); the abstract being put for the concrete, what is corruptible or subject to corruption (1 Cor. 15:50).  (III) Corruption in a moral or spiritual sense (2 Pet. 1:4; 2:19).
  • Zodhiates, Spiros. The Complete Word Study Dictionary: New Testament. Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers, 2000.
• “φθοράa, ᾶς f: a state of ruin or destruction, with the implication of disintegration—‘ruin, destruction.’ ἅ ἐστιν πάντα εἰς φθορὰν τῇ ἀποχρήσει ‘all such things are ruined by use’ Col 2:22; ὡς ἄλογα ζῷα γεγεννημένα φυσικὰ εἰς ἅλωσιν καὶ φθοράν ‘like wild animals born to be captured and destroyed’ 2 Pe 2:12. In 2 Pe 2:12 it may be more appropriate in a number of languages to translate ‘… to be killed.”
  • Louw, Johannes P., and Eugene Albert Nida. Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament: Based on Semantic Domains. New York: United Bible Societies, 1996.
• “φθορά [phthora /fthor·ah/] n f. From 5351; TDNT 9:93; TDNTA 1259; GK 5785; Nine occurrences; AV translates as “corruption” seven times, “to perish + 1519” once, and “destroy” once. 1 corruption, destruction, perishing. 1A that which is subject to corruption, what is perishable. 1B in the Christian sense, eternal misery in hell. 2 in the NT, in an ethical sense, corruption i.e. moral decay.”
  • Strong, James. Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon. Woodside Bible Fellowship, 1995.