Enosiophobia

English

Part of Speech: Noun
Korean (Hangul): 에노시오포비아 (Enosiopobia)

Definition

1. The fear or tormenting belief that one has committed an unpardonable sin, beyond the reach of grace or redemption.
2. By extension, an overwhelming fear of moral condemnation or unforgiveness by God, others, or oneself.

Example Sentences

• Listening to LE SSERAFIM’s “Unforgiven” felt like an act of rebellion against enosiophobia itself — a refusal to live chained by shame, and a reminder that self-worth need not depend on human absolution.
• In contrast, Robert Rule, a Christian father who forgave his daughter’s murderer — the serial killer known as the Green River Killer — embodied the antidote to enosiophobia: the conviction that even the gravest sinner can be forgiven through Christ’s grace, if he comes to repentance.

Etymology

From Greek enosis (“sin” or “fault”) + -phobia (“fear”).

Concept Note

Enosiophobia captures the human dread of being unforgivable — a fear transcended either through rebellion against judgment (“Unforgiven”) or through grace that redeems even the gravest wrongs (Christ’s command to forgive all).

Related Terms

• Hamartiophobia — fear of sinning or committing sin
• Scrupulosity — religious or moral obsession with guilt
• Metanoia — repentance; spiritual transformation through renewal

Related Media

Video: UNFORGIVEN (feat. Nile Rodgers) by LE SSERAFIM — Official M/V
Watch on YouTube