What is the meaning of adiaphora?

Answer

Adiaphora is the plural of the word adiaphoron, which, in philosophy, refers to something that exists outside of moral law. An adiaphoron is an action that is neither condemned nor approved by morality. Adiaphora means “indifferent things,” which are things that are neither right nor wrong, spiritually neutral things.

The concept of adiaphora originated in Stoicism. The Stoics believed that if one’s reason was flawed, one’s emotions would become destructive and overwhelming. They taught that happiness comes from living in accordance with what is logical, rational, or “natural.” In Stoicism, there are three categories of human behavior. The pursuit of virtues and justice is good, displaying their opposites is bad, and the rest is adiaphora—moral neutral ground or things to which nature is indifferent.

Adiaphora, in biblical terms, would be the “disputable matters” mentioned in Romans 14:1 (the ESV refers to them as “opinions”). We are not to argue over them. Some things are right because the Bible states they are right; other things are wrong because the Bible states they are wrong. However, some things the Bible neither condemns nor approves. These issues are often referred to as “gray areas” or matters of conscience. They could also be called adiaphora. For instance, the Bible clearly supports truth-telling and condemns lying. But what about writing fiction? As long as everyone knows it’s fiction, that falls under adiaphora.

We can also consider the “non-essentials” of the faith as adiaphora. Teachings on the timing of the rapture, the number of angels, or the identity of the two witnesses in Revelation 11 are non-essential to the faith; they are adiaphora. On the other hand, doctrines such as the deity of Christ, salvation by grace through faith, and the bodily resurrection are essential and non-negotiable.

In one sense, there is no such thing as adiaphora in human behavior. Paul says, “Whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Cor. 10:31).

Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him” «And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. », (Colossians 3:17). Everything we do—even things that seem morally neutral—fall under the banner of goodness if we do them for God’s glory. And even things good in themselves can be done with impure motives and thus be dishonoring to God (Isaiah 1:10-15). Succeeding in our work, going for a run, playing games with friends, and all the other things we do that don’t seem either good or bad, can fall squarely under the banner of goodness when we do them in a way that glorifies Christ with thanksgiving.