185. akeraios
Lexical Summary
akeraios: Innocent, pure, unmixed, blameless

Original Word: ἀκέραιος
Part of Speech: Adjective
Transliteration: akeraios
Pronunciation: ah-KEH-rah-yos
Phonetic Spelling: (ak-er'-ah-yos)
KJV: harmless, simple
NASB: innocent
Word Origin: [from G1 (α - Alpha) (as a negative particle) and a presumed derivative of G2767 (κεράννυμι - mixed)]

1. unmixed
2. (figuratively) innocent

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
pure, innocent

From a (as a negative particle) and a presumed derivative of kerannumi; unmixed, i.e. (figuratively) innocent -- harmless, simple.

see GREEK a

see GREEK kerannumi

HELPS Word-studies

185 akéraios (an adjective, derived from 1 /A "not" and 2767 /keránnymi, "mingled") – properly, not mixed (mingled); not a destructive mixture because not tainted by sinful motives (ambitions); pure (unmingled).

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from alpha (as a neg. prefix) and kerannumi
Definition
unmixed, pure
NASB Translation
innocent (3).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 185: ἀκέραιος

ἀκέραιος, (κεράννυμι);

a. unmixed, pure, as wine, metals,

b. of the mind, without admixture of evil, free from guile, innocent, simple: Matthew 10:16; Romans 16:19; Philippians 2:15; (and frequent in secular writings). (Cf. Ellicott on Philippians, the passage cited; Trench, § lvi.; Tittmann 1:27f.)

Topical Lexicon
Concept Overview

Strong’s Greek 185, akeraios, depicts moral purity, integrity, and unmixed innocence. The term evokes the image of something kept whole—free from the corrupting alloys of deceit, compromise, or evil intent. Within Scripture it consistently calls God’s people to an untainted character that mirrors His own holiness.

New Testament Usage

Matthew 10:16, Philippians 2:15, and Romans 16:19 supply the word’s only three New Testament appearances, yet together they sketch a full portrait:
Matthew 10:16: “Behold, I am sending you out like sheep among wolves; therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.” Jesus balances strategic discernment with dove-like innocence, safeguarding His witnesses from duplicity even while they navigate hostile contexts.
Philippians 2:15: “so that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without fault in a crooked and perverse generation, in which you shine as lights in the world.” Paul links innocence to blamelessness, portraying believers as heavenly luminaries whose purity contrasts a culture warped by sin.
Romans 16:19: “For your obedience has reached everyone. I rejoice over you, but I want you to be wise about what is good and innocent about what is evil.” Wisdom and innocence operate together: spiritual maturity discerns good yet refuses experiential involvement with evil.

Old Testament and Intertestamental Echoes

Although akeraios is Greek, its ethical thrust resonates with Hebrew concepts of tamim (“blameless,” Genesis 17:1) and naqiy (“innocent,” Psalm 19:13). Wisdom literature frequently extols the “upright of heart,” foreshadowing the New Testament call to remain unalloyed amid corruption (Proverbs 2:21, Psalm 15:2). Second-Temple Judaism amplified this theme, urging covenant faithfulness that separates God’s people from pagan immorality.

Christ’s Discipleship Paradigm

Matthew positions innocence within missionary instruction. Disciples, empowered by the Spirit, proclaim the kingdom without resorting to worldly manipulation. Purity is not naiveté; rather, it functions alongside serpentine shrewdness, reflecting Christ’s own combination of guileless sincerity and penetrating insight (John 1:47; Mark 12:15).

Pauline Pastoral Emphasis

In Philippians 2 Paul contends for unity through Christ-like humility, culminating in a corporate witness marked by innocence. Such moral clarity enables the church to “hold forth the word of life” (Philippians 2:16) in credibility. Romans 16:19 situates innocence as the antithesis of the deceit propagated by false teachers (Romans 16:17–18). The apostle therefore frames purity as both personal virtue and doctrinal safeguard.

Ethical and Ministry Implications

1. Personal Integrity: Leaders and laity alike must cultivate hearts undivided by hidden sin, ensuring transparent motives in service, finance, and relationships.
2. Evangelistic Credibility: A life “innocent as doves” adorns the gospel, silencing accusations and opening doors for witness.
3. Discernment without Defilement: Believers learn the contours of evil to refute it, yet refuse to let curiosity become complicity.
4. Corporate Culture: Congregations thrive when accountability structures foster purity and discourage secretive factions or abusive power dynamics.

Historical Interpretation

Early church fathers saw akeraios as vital for martyrs who faced coercion to compromise. Medieval commentators linked it to the Beatitudes’ “pure in heart.” During Reformation debates, the word undergirded calls for scriptural simplicity against ecclesiastical corruption. Evangelical revivals later emphasized personal holiness as the engine of societal reform.

Contemporary Application

Modern disciples navigate digital landscapes, consumerism, and ideological polarization. The call to remain “innocent about what is evil” urges cautious media engagement, ethical business practice, and uncompromised doctrine. Churches that prize transparency, child protection, and financial accountability embody akeraios and restore trust in Christian testimony.

Related Biblical Themes

Purity of heart (Matthew 5:8); Blamelessness (1 Thessalonians 3:13); Sincerity (2 Corinthians 2:17); Holiness (1 Peter 1:15–16).

Forms and Transliterations
ακεραιοι ακέραιοι ἀκέραιοι ακεραιους ακεραίους ἀκεραίους ακηδίας ακηδιάσαι ακηδιάση ακιδωτόν ακίνητοι ακίνητος ακίσιν άκλητος ηκηδίασεν akeraioi akéraioi akeraious akeraíous
Links
Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Matthew 10:16 Adj-NMP
GRK: ὄφεις καὶ ἀκέραιοι ὡς αἱ
NAS: as serpents and innocent as doves.
KJV: serpents, and harmless as doves.
INT: serpents and innocent as the

Romans 16:19 Adj-AMP
GRK: τὸ ἀγαθόν ἀκεραίους δὲ εἰς
NAS: in what is good and innocent in what is evil.
KJV: good, and simple concerning evil.
INT: good innocent moreover to

Philippians 2:15 Adj-NMP
GRK: ἄμεμπτοι καὶ ἀκέραιοι τέκνα θεοῦ
NAS: yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children
KJV: and harmless, the sons
INT: blameless and innocent children of God

Strong's Greek 185
3 Occurrences


ἀκέραιοι — 2 Occ.
ἀκεραίους — 1 Occ.

184
Top of Page
Top of Page