Original Word: αἴτημα
Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter
Transliteration: aitiama
Pronunciation: ah-ee'-tay-mah
Phonetic Spelling: (ahee-tee'-am-ah)
KJV: complaint
Word Origin: [from a derivative of G156 (αἰτία - reason)]

1. a thing charged

complaint.

From a derivative of aitia; a thing charged -- complaint.

see GREEK aitia

Word Origin
variant reading for aitióma, q.v.

STRONGS NT 157: αἰτίαμα

αἰτίαμα, (τος, τό, see αἰτίωμα.

STRONGS NT 157: αἰτίωμααἰτίωμα, (τος, τό (αἰτιάομαι); in Acts 25:7 the reading of the best manuscripts adopted by G L T Tr WH for Rec. αἰτίαμα: accusation, charge of guilt. (A form not found in other writings; (yet Meyer notes αἰτίωσις for αἰτίασις, Eustathius, p. 1422, 21; see Buttmann, 73; WH's Appendix, p. 166).)

Word Family and Legal Nuance

Although found only once in the New Testament, the term belongs to a cluster of Greek words that revolve around legal responsibility: a charge is laid (Strong’s 157), someone is deemed responsible (Strong’s 156), and a formal accusation is voiced (e.g., κατηγορία in John 18:29). Together they convey the courtroom setting that frequently frames the trials of God’s servants in both Testaments.

Occurrence in the New Testament

Acts 25:7 records the single use: “the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood around him, bringing many serious charges that they could not prove”. The plural form αἰτιώματα underscores the piling up of complaints intended to overwhelm the apostle Paul and pressure the new Roman procurator Festus into a quick conviction.

Setting and Historical Background

Paul’s appearance before Festus (circa AD 59) took place at Caesarea Maritima, Rome’s provincial headquarters. Under Roman law, accusers bore the burden of proof. Luke’s narrative shows that Paul’s opponents had none. By highlighting the baseless nature of their αἰτιώματα, Luke reassures readers that the gospel and its messengers are innocent of wrongdoing before both God and state authorities. The episode parallels earlier proceedings before Felix (Acts 24:1-21) and anticipates Paul’s eventual appeal to Caesar (Acts 25:11-12).

Connections to Old Testament Legal Traditions

The Mosaic requirement of at least two corroborating witnesses (Deuteronomy 19:15) protected the innocent from unsubstantiated accusations. That safeguard is reversed in Acts 25:7, where many witnesses present “serious charges” but none can substantiate them. The scene echoes Daniel 6:4, where conspirators “could find no charge or corruption” against Daniel, and foreshadows Christ’s own trials, in which “many false witnesses came forward” (Matthew 26:60).

Christ and the Believer under Accusation

Scripture treats unfounded accusations as a common weapon against the righteous. Jesus warns, “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me” (Matthew 5:11). Paul likewise reminds believers that “who will bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies” (Romans 8:33). Acts 25:7 furnishes a living illustration: the courtroom is filled with αἰτιώματα, yet divine vindication prevails.

Doctrinal and Pastoral Significance

1. Vindication of the Gospel: The inability to prove a single αἰτιώμα substantiates Luke’s overarching purpose—that Christianity is no threat to civil order.
2. Sovereign Protection: God’s providence uses legal systems, even pagan ones, to preserve His servant and advance the gospel to Rome (Acts 23:11; Acts 28:30-31).
3. Spiritual Warfare: Revelation 12:10 identifies Satan as “the accuser of our brothers,” showing that earthly αἰτιώματα mirror a cosmic reality. Christ’s intercession (1 John 2:1) silences every charge.

Illustrative Lessons for Contemporary Ministry

• Expect accusations: Faithfulness to the gospel attracts opposition, sometimes in legal form.
• Maintain integrity: Paul’s transparent life (Acts 24:16) left accusers without evidence; the same moral credibility protects modern disciples.
• Trust rightful process: Respect for lawful procedures—appealing to rights without compromising faith—can open unexpected doors for witness, as Paul’s appeal to Caesar did.
• Look to ultimate vindication: While earthly courts may err, final judgment rests with the Lord who “will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men’s hearts” (1 Corinthians 4:5).

In sum, the lone New Testament appearance of Strong’s 157 crystallizes a timeless truth: no human αἰτιώμα can overturn God’s verdict of righteousness on those who belong to Christ.

αιτιάται αιτιωματα αἰτιώματα aitiomata aitiōmata aitiṓmataInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts