BIBLE GREEK WORD STUDY
Thanatos — Death in the Bible
θάνατος (thanatos) refers to death, literally or figuratively, and in Romans it marks the consequence of sin, the sphere of Christ’s saving work, and the reality from which believers are united with him in resurrection life.
Meaning of the word
θάνατος is the Greek word for death. The lexicon describes it as death, whether understood literally or figuratively. Its meaning is not limited to physical death alone, but the examples show that it also describes the consequence of sin and the sphere of Christ’s death and resurrection.
In Romans 6:23, death is presented as the wages of sin, in contrast with God’s gift of eternal life in Christ Jesus. Romans 1:32 likewise speaks of those who practice sin as being worthy of death, showing that the term can refer to the judgment attached to sin.
Usage in Scripture
The examples use θάνατος for death as the consequence and reign of sin: it entered through sin and reigned from Adam (Romans 5:12, 5:14, 5:17). Romans 6:23 summarizes the result as death, the wages of sin.
The word also describes Christ’s death and believers’ participation in it. Believers are baptized into his death and united with the likeness of it, while Christ’s resurrection means death has no more dominion over him (Romans 6:3–5, 6:9).
The word in detail
- G2288 θάνατος (thanatos) means death, literally or figuratively. In the provided Romans passages it can denote the consequence of sin, a reigning power, the death of Christ into which believers are baptized, and the sphere from which resurrection life follows.
Example verses
- Romans 5:12 Death entered the world through sin and passed to all because all sinned.
- Romans 6:3 Those baptized into Christ Jesus are baptized into his death.
- Romans 6:9 Because Christ was raised, death no longer has dominion over him.
- Romans 6:23 Death is the wages of sin, contrasted with eternal life as God’s free gift in Christ Jesus.
Common questions
Does θάνατος mean only physical death?
No. The lexicon defines it as death literally or figuratively. In the provided passages, it includes the consequence and reign of sin as well as Christ’s death and the believer’s union with it.
How is death connected to sin in Romans?
Romans 5:12 says death entered through sin and passed to all, and Romans 6:23 calls death the wages of sin.
What is the relationship between Christ’s death and resurrection in these examples?
Believers are baptized into Christ’s death and united with its likeness, while his resurrection means death no longer has dominion over him (Romans 6:3–5, 6:9).