884. acharistos
Lexical Summary
acharistos: ungrateful, thankless

Original Word: ἀχάριστος
Part of Speech: Adjective
Transliteration: acharistos
Pronunciation: ah-KHAR-is-tos
Phonetic Spelling: (ach-ar'-is-tos)
KJV: unthankful
NASB: ungrateful
Word Origin: [from G1 (α - Alpha) (as a negative particle) and a presumed derivative of G5483 (χαρίζομαι - forgiven)]

1. thankless, i.e. ungrateful

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
unthankful.

From a (as a negative particle) and a presumed derivative of charizomai; thankless, i.e. Ungrateful -- unthankful.

see GREEK a

see GREEK charizomai

HELPS Word-studies

884 axáristos (an adjective, derived from 1 /A "not" and 5483 /xarízomai, "experiencing grace") – properly, without God's grace (favor) which results in unthankfulness (literally, "ungraceful").

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from alpha (as a neg. prefix) and charizomai
Definition
ungracious, ungrateful
NASB Translation
ungrateful (2).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 884: ἀχάριστος

ἀχάριστος, ἀχαριστον (χαρίζομαι), ungracious;

a. unpleasing (Homer, Odyssey 8, 236; 20, 392; Xenophon, oec. 7, 37; others).

b. unthankful (so in Greek writings from Herodotus 1, 90 down): Luke 6:35; 2 Timothy 3:2. (Sir. 29:17; Wis. 16:29.)

Topical Lexicon
Root and Semantic Emphasis

Formed by the alpha-privative prefixed to charis, ἀχάριστος describes the absence of gratitude toward grace freely given. Because charis carries nuances of favor, kindness, and thanksgiving, the term points not merely to bad manners but to a moral refusal to acknowledge God as the gracious Giver.

Occurrences in the New Testament

Luke 6:35: “He is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.”

2 Timothy 3:2: “People will be … ungrateful, unholy.”

The first text reveals the divine posture toward such people; the second lists the vice as a sign of widespread apostasy in the last days.

Divine Kindness Amid Human Ingratitude

Jesus’ command in Luke 6 rests on the Father’s benevolent character: He continues to extend common grace even to those who scorn Him. This underscores both God’s longsuffering mercy (Psalm 145:9) and the believer’s call to imitate that mercy (Matthew 5:44-45). Ingratitude, while repugnant, does not exhaust divine patience; rather, it magnifies the depth of His graciousness.

Eschatological Marker of Apostasy

Paul places “ungrateful” between “disobedient to their parents” and “unholy” (2 Timothy 3:2), framing it as a moral rupture that accompanies societal collapse. Ingratitude is therefore more than a personal flaw; it is a prophetic indicator that the final rebellion against God is maturing (2 Timothy 3:1-5; cf. 1 Thessalonians 5:1-3).

Old Testament Backdrop

Israel’s history repeatedly records the sin of ingratitude (Deuteronomy 32:6; Psalm 106:13, 21). Prophets rebuked the nation for forgetting His mighty acts, revealing a continuum from ingratitude to idolatry. Paul echoes this trajectory in Romans 1:21: “Although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him.”

Greco-Roman Cultural Context

Classical moralists condemned ingratitude as a violation of societal reciprocity. Seneca argued that failure to return favors erodes civic cohesion. The New Testament writers, familiar with this discourse, elevate the matter: ingratitude is first an offense against the living God, then a social ill.

Ethical and Discipleship Implications

1. Worship: Thanksgiving is an essential response to grace (Colossians 3:15-17).
2. Community: Grateful believers cultivate unity, whereas ingratitude breeds entitlement and division (Philippians 2:14-15).
3. Evangelism: A thankful spirit testifies to the gospel’s transforming power; an ungrateful life denies it (Colossians 4:2-6).
4. Suffering: Giving thanks “in everything” (1 Thessalonians 5:18) preserves faith when circumstances seem graceless.

Pastoral Warnings

Leaders must recognize ingratitude as a root sin that often accompanies pride, disobedience, and blasphemy. Corrective teaching should expose the heart-issue: failure to behold the grace of God in Christ (2 Corinthians 4:6). Public prayers of thanksgiving and testimonies of God’s faithfulness nurture a grateful culture within congregations.

Christological Fulfillment

Jesus, the incarnate embodiment of divine charis (John 1:14), experienced profound human ingratitude—ten lepers cleansed, only one returned (Luke 17:17-18). His unwavering kindness culminated at the cross, where He bore the sins of the “ungrateful and wicked,” opening the way for their reconciliation.

Contemporary Application

Modern societies celebrate entitlement and self-gratification, making ἀχάριστος increasingly visible. The Church counters by:
• Practicing regular thanksgiving in worship and private devotion.
• Teaching stewardship, acknowledging every good gift as “from above” (James 1:17).
• Modeling generosity without expectation, reflecting the Father’s example in Luke 6:35.

Related Terms and Themes

Eucharisteō (to give thanks) – the positive counterpart.

Charis (grace) – the gift spurned by the ungrateful.

Murmuring, Forgetfulness, Hard-heartedness – sins often intertwined with ingratitude.

Summary

Strong’s 884 exposes a heart posture that refuses to honor God for His grace. Scripture reveals it as characteristic of the last days, yet also showcases God’s patient kindness toward such people. For believers, the antidote is continual, conscious thanksgiving, shaping a countercultural witness that reflects the generosity of the Most High.

Forms and Transliterations
αχαριστοι αχάριστοι ἀχάριστοι αχαριστους αχαρίστους ἀχαρίστους αχάτην αχάτης άχι acharistoi acháristoi acharistous acharístous
Links
Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Luke 6:35 Adj-AMP
GRK: ἐπὶ τοὺς ἀχαρίστους καὶ πονηρούς
NAS: is kind to ungrateful and evil
KJV: unto the unthankful and
INT: to the ungrateful and evil

2 Timothy 3:2 Adj-NMP
GRK: γονεῦσιν ἀπειθεῖς ἀχάριστοι ἀνόσιοι
NAS: to parents, ungrateful, unholy,
KJV: to parents, unthankful, unholy,
INT: to parents disobedient ungrateful unholy

Strong's Greek 884
2 Occurrences


ἀχάριστοι — 1 Occ.
ἀχαρίστους — 1 Occ.

883
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