Topical Encyclopedia
The term "faithless" in the Bible is often used to describe a lack of faith or trust in God, His promises, or His commandments. It is a condition of the heart that reflects unbelief, disobedience, or spiritual adultery. The concept of faithlessness is addressed throughout both the Old and New Testaments, highlighting the consequences of turning away from God and the importance of steadfast faith.
Old Testament ContextIn the Old Testament, faithlessness is frequently associated with Israel's relationship with God. The Israelites are often depicted as a faithless people, despite God's continuous faithfulness and provision. In
Jeremiah 3:20 , God laments, "But as a woman may betray her husband, so you have betrayed Me, O house of Israel," declares the LORD. This metaphor of spiritual adultery underscores the gravity of Israel's unfaithfulness.
The book of Hosea also vividly portrays Israel's faithlessness through the prophet's marriage to an unfaithful wife, symbolizing Israel's infidelity to God.
Hosea 4:12 states, "My people consult their wooden idols, and their divining rods inform them. For a spirit of prostitution leads them astray; they are unfaithful to their God."
New Testament ContextIn the New Testament, faithlessness is addressed in the context of the early Christian community and individual believers. Jesus Himself rebukes faithlessness in His disciples. In
Matthew 17:17 , Jesus says, "O unbelieving and perverse generation," Jesus replied, "How long must I remain with you? How long must I put up with you? Bring the boy here to Me." This rebuke highlights the expectation of faith and trust in God's power and presence.
The Apostle Paul also addresses faithlessness in his epistles, urging believers to remain steadfast in their faith. In
2 Timothy 2:13 , Paul writes, "If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself." This passage emphasizes God's unwavering faithfulness, even when human faith falters.
Consequences of FaithlessnessThe Bible consistently warns of the consequences of faithlessness. In the Old Testament, Israel's faithlessness often led to divine judgment, exile, and suffering. In the New Testament, faithlessness can result in spiritual stagnation and separation from the blessings of a close relationship with God.
Hebrews 3:12 cautions, "See to it, brothers, that none of you has a wicked heart of unbelief that turns away from the living God."
Call to FaithfulnessDespite the warnings, the Bible also offers hope and a call to return to faithfulness. God continually invites His people to repent and renew their commitment to Him. In 1
John 1:9 , believers are assured, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
The call to faithfulness is a central theme in the Christian life, urging believers to trust in God's promises, remain obedient to His Word, and cultivate a deep, abiding relationship with Him.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
a.) Not believing; not giving credit.
2. (a.) Not believing on God or religion; specifically, not believing in the Christian religion.
3. (a.) Not observant of promises or covenants.
4. (a.) Not true to allegiance, duty, or vows; perfidious; treacherous; disloyal; not of true fidelity; inconstant, as a husband or a wife.
5. (a.) Serving to disappoint or deceive; delusive; unsatisfying.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
FAITHLESSfath'-les: The translation of apistos, "without faith," having the sense of "unbelieving," "disbelieving." Jesus upbraids the people, "O faithless and perverse generation!" (Matthew 17:17Mark 9:19Luke 9:41); He says to Thomas, "Be not faithless, but believing" (John 20:27); the Revised Version (British and American) adds, "If we are faithless," instead of "believe not" (2 Timothy 2:13); compare1 Corinthians 7:12-15;1 Corinthians 10:27;1 Corinthians 14:22, 24, etc.;Titus 1:15. InLuke 12:46 apistos has the sense of "unfaithful," so the Revised Version (British and American); perhaps alsoRevelation 21:8, "unbelieving."
Greek
569. apisteo -- to disbelieve, befaithless... to disbelieve, be
faithless. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: apisteo Phonetic
Spelling: (ap-is-teh'-o) Short Definition: I am unfaithful, I disbelieve
...571. apistos -- incredible, unbelieving
... God). 571 ("faithless, unpersuaded") does always refer to the converted -- see
Jn 20:27. 571 () describes... one (1).faithless, unbelieving. From...
1169. deilos -- cowardly, fearful
... fearful. From deos (dread); timid, ie (by implication)faithless -- fearful. (deiloi) --
2 Occurrences. (deilois) -- 1 Occurrence. 1168, 1169. deilos. 1170 >...
Strong's Hebrew
7726. shobab -- turning back, recusant, apostate... 7725, 7726. shobab. 7727 . turning back, recusant, apostate. Transliteration:
shobab Phonetic Spelling: (sho-bawb') Short Definition:
faithless.
...4878. meshubah -- turning back, apostasy
... meshubah or meshubah. 4879 . turning back, apostasy. Transliteration: meshubah
or meshubah Phonetic Spelling: (mesh-oo-baw') Short Definition:faithless....
7728. shobeb -- turning back, apostate
... Word Origin from shub Definition turning back, apostate NASB Word Usage
apostate (1), backsliding (1),faithless (1). backsliding....
3586. kechash -- deceptive, false
... Word Origin from kachash Definition deceptive, false NASB Word Usage false (1).
lying. From kachash;faithless -- lying. see HEBREW kachash. 3585, 3586....
2505b. chalaq -- to be smooth, slippery
... Word Origin a prim. root Definition to be smooth, slippery NASB Word Usagefaithless
(1), flatter (1), flatters (5), smoother (1), smooths (1). 2505a, 2505b....
898. bagad -- to act or deal treacherously
... treacherously (10), deal very treacherously (1), deals treacherously (1), dealt
treacherously (8), dealt very treacherously (1),faithless (2), treacherous (15...
Library
NotFaithless, but Believing.
... VII. THE CHRISTIAN LIFE. 299. LM Anonymous. NotFaithless, But Believing.
1 O, still trust on, if in the heart A holy inspiration...
Impossible that Marcion's Christ Should Reprove theFaithless...
... Chapter XXIII."Impossible that Marcion's Christ Should Reprove theFaithless Generation
Such Loving Consideration for Infants as the True Christ Was Apt to...
Petilianus Said: "For He who Receives Faith from theFaithless...
... Book II. Chapter 4. " 8. Petilianus said: "For he who receives faith
from thefaithless? "8. Petilianus said: "For he who...
Petilianus Said: "For, Granting that YouFaithless Ones are...
... Book II. Chapter 49. " 113. Petilianus said: "For, granting that youfaithless
ones are acquainted with the law? "113. Petilianus...
We Ask, Therefore, Since He Says, "He who Receives Faith from the...
... Book I. Chapter 5. " 6. We ask, therefore, since he says, "He who receives
faith from thefaithless? "6. We ask, therefore...
Christ's Lament Over Our Faithlessness
... 'He answereth him and saith, Ofaithless generation, how long shall I be
with you?... And so He said to them, 'Ofaithless generation!'....
There is this Further, that in that Very Debt which Married...
... Forsooth the former, beingfaithless in both instances, must assuredly
be judged the more wicked. But, if he had been displeased...
The Cardinal was Seated, -- He Rose as Moretti Appeared. ...
... If, as I understand, your Eminence was present at Notre Dame de Lorette this morning,
and witnessed the regrettable conduct of thefaithless son of the Church...
The Evidence of Our Lord's Wounds
... Then said he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach
hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be notfaithless, but believing...
The Lord Our Shepherd
... catcheth them and scattereth the sheep." And through the mouth of His prophets the
Lord pours down a scathing condemnation upon all suchfaithless shepherds....
Thesaurus
Faithless (46 Occurrences)... 5. (a.) Serving to disappoint or deceive; delusive; unsatisfying. Int. Standard
Bible Encyclopedia.
FAITHLESS. fath'-les: The translation
...Hither (84 Occurrences)
... (KJV ASV WBS YLT). Matthew 17:17 Then Jesus answered and said, Ofaithless and perverse
generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you?...
Suffer (195 Occurrences)
... (Root in WEB ASV DBY YLT RSV NIV). Matthew 17:17 Then Jesus answered and said, O
faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you?...
Generation (150 Occurrences)
... Abraham unto David" (Matthew 1:17); (b) a race, or class, distinguished by common
characteristics, always (in the New Testament) bad: "Faithless and perverse...
None (573 Occurrences)
... Matthew 12:39 "Wicked andfaithless generation!" He replied, "they clamour for a
sign, but none shall be given to them except the sign of the Prophet Jonah....
Perverse (55 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Perverse (55 Occurrences). Matthew 17:17 Jesus answered,
"Faithless and perverse generation! How long will I be with you?...
Shame (412 Occurrences)
... Naturally, to the Hebrew, shame was the portion of those who were idolaters, who
werefaithless to Yahweh or who were unfriendly to themselves-the elect people...
Stay (221 Occurrences)
... (WEB NAS RSV NIV). Matthew 17:17 Jesus answered, "Faithless and perverse generation!
How long will I be with you? How long will I bear with you?...
O (1414 Occurrences)
... NIV). Matthew 17:17 Jesus answered, "Faithless and perverse generation!
How long will I be with you? How long will I bear with you?...
Bear (425 Occurrences)
... RSV). Matthew 17:17 Jesus answered, "Faithless and perverse generation!
How long will I be with you? How long will I bear with you?...
Resources
Did God divorce Israel? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is spiritual adultery? | GotQuestions.orgWhy does God hate divorce? | GotQuestions.orgFaithless: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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