Topical Encyclopedia
The term "impious" refers to a lack of reverence or respect for God and sacred things. In the Bible, impiety is often associated with ungodliness, wickedness, and a rejection of divine authority. The concept is deeply rooted in the moral and spiritual fabric of biblical teachings, where reverence for God is paramount.
Old Testament ContextIn the Old Testament, impiety is frequently condemned as a grievous sin. The Hebrew Scriptures emphasize the importance of fearing the Lord and adhering to His commandments. The impious are often depicted as those who turn away from God's laws and pursue their own desires. For example, in
Psalm 10:4 , it is written, "In his pride the wicked man does not seek Him; in all his thoughts there is no room for God." This verse highlights the self-centered nature of the impious, who live without regard for God's presence or authority.
The prophets also spoke against impiety, warning of the consequences of turning away from God.
Isaiah 1:4 declares, "Oh, sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a brood of evildoers, children who deal corruptly! They have forsaken the LORD; they have despised the Holy One of Israel; they are utterly estranged." Here, impiety is linked with corruption and estrangement from God, illustrating the moral decay that accompanies a lack of reverence.
New Testament ContextIn the New Testament, impiety continues to be a significant concern, particularly in the context of the early Christian communities. The apostle Paul frequently addresses the issue of ungodliness and impiety in his epistles. In
Romans 1:18 , Paul writes, "The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people who suppress the truth by their wickedness." This passage underscores the seriousness of impiety, as it is met with divine wrath.
The New Testament also emphasizes the transformative power of the Gospel to turn the impious towards righteousness. In
Titus 2:11-12 , Paul states, "For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men. It instructs us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live sensible, upright, and godly lives in the present age." Here, the call is to reject impiety and embrace a life that reflects God's holiness.
Impiety in Christian TeachingThroughout Christian history, impiety has been viewed as a fundamental breach of the relationship between humanity and God. It is often associated with moral decay and societal decline. Christian teachings emphasize the need for repentance and a return to godliness as a remedy for impiety. The call to live a life of reverence and obedience to God is central to the Christian faith, as believers are encouraged to reflect the character of Christ in their daily lives.
The Bible consistently warns against the dangers of impiety, urging believers to remain steadfast in their faith and devotion to God. The impious, characterized by their disregard for divine authority, serve as a cautionary example of the consequences of turning away from the Creator.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
a.) Irreligious; irreverent; ungodly; profane; wanting in reverence for the Supreme Being; as, an impious deed; impious language.
Greek
765. asebes -- ungodly,impious... ungodly,
impious. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: asebes Phonetic Spelling:
(as-eb-ace') Short Definition:
impious, ungodly, wicked Definition
...764. asebeo -- to beimpious, ie to be ungodly
... to beimpious, ie to be ungodly. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: asebeo Phonetic
Spelling: (as-eb-eh'-o) Short Definition: I amimpious, irreverent, do...
2319. theostuges -- hating God
... hater of God. From theos and the base of stugnetos; hateful to God, ieImpious --
hater of God. see GREEK theos. see GREEK stugnetos....
462. anosios -- unholy
... without" and 3741 , "reverence for what should be hallowed") -- properly, utter
disregard of what is sacred, ie () of the things of God; "impious; wicked" (J...
989. blasphemos -- slanderous, evil-speaking
... From a derivative of blapto and pheme; scurrilious, ie Calumnious (against men),
or (specially)impious (against God) -- blasphemer(-mous), railing....
Strong's Hebrew
196. evili -- foolish... foolish. From 'eviyl; silly, foolish; hence (morally)
impious -- foolish. see
HEBREW 'eviyl. 195, 196. evili. 197 . Strong's Numbers.
2611. chaneph -- profane, irreligious
... hypocritical. From chaneph; soiled (ie With sin),impious -- hypocrite(-ical). see
HEBREW chaneph. 2610, 2611. chaneph. 2612 . Strong's Numbers.
5036. nabal -- foolish, senseless
... foolish, vile person. From nabel; stupid; wicked (especiallyimpious) -- fool(-ish,
-ish man, -ish woman), vile person. see HEBREW nabel. 5035b, 5036....
Library
HowImpious the Arians Are, in Attacking that on which Human...
... Book V. Chapter I. Howimpious the Arians are, in attacking that on which
human happiness depends.? Howimpious the Arians are...
Having Shown Briefly HowImpious and Infamous are the Opinions...
... Book VI. 1 Having shown briefly howimpious and infamous are the opinions
which you have formed about? Having shown briefly how...
Of the Vanity and Crimes,Impious Superstitions, and of the...
... the divine institutes Book V. Of Justice. Chap. XX."Of the Vanity and Crimes,
Impious Superstitions, and of the Tortures of the Christians....
But Let this Monstrous andImpious Fancy be Put Far from Us...
... Book II. 45 But let this monstrous andimpious fancy be put far from us?
But let this monstrous andimpious fancy be put [3718...
And Again, if theImpious Say, How Will There not be Three Gods...
... A Sectional Confession of Faith. Section X. And again, if theimpious say,
How will there not be three Gods and three? And again...
TheImpious See True Dreams and visions.
... Chapter XVII."TheImpious See True Dreams and Visions. "But it is manifest that
theimpious see true visions and dreams, and I can prove it from Scripture....
Oh Ungrateful andImpious Age, Prepared for Its Own Destruction by...
... Book I. 65 Oh ungrateful andimpious age, prepared for its own destruction
by its extraordinary obstinacy! If? Oh ungrateful and...
HowImpious, Indeed, is the Assertion of this Man...
... Chapter XCVII. Howimpious, indeed, is the assertion of this man? Howimpious,
indeed, is the assertion of this man, who charges...
Argument: theImpious Temerity of Theodorus, Diagoras, and...
... Chapter VIII."Argument: TheImpious Temerity of Theodorus, Diagoras, and Protagoras
is Not at All to Be Acquiesced In, Who Wished Either Altogether to Get...
Exhortation to Abandon theImpious Mysteries of Idolatry for the...
... Chapter I."Exhortation to Abandon theImpious Mysteries of Idolatry for the
Adoration of the Divine Word and God the Father. Amphion...
Thesaurus
Impious (19 Occurrences)... (a.) Irreligious; irreverent; ungodly; profane; wanting in reverence for the Supreme
Being; as, an
impious deed;
impious language.
...Impious (19 Occurrences).
...Impiety (9 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) Animpious act; an act of wickedness. Multi-Version Concordance... Matthew
26:65 Then the High Priest tore his robes and exclaimed, "Impious language!...
Godless (31 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (a.) Having, or acknowledging, no God; without reverence
for God;impious; wicked. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. GODLESS....
Ungodly (41 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Not godly; not having regard for God; disobedient
to God; wicked;impious; sinful. 2. (a.) Polluted by sin or wickedness....
Blasphemy (15 Occurrences)
... blas'-fe-mi (blasphemia): In classical Greek meant primarily "defamation" or
"evil-speaking" in general; "a word of evil omen," hence, "impious, and irreverent...
Stiff (23 Occurrences)
... Jude 1:15 to do judgment against all, and to convict all theirimpious ones, concerning
all their works of impiety that they did impiously, and concerning all...
Speaking (376 Occurrences)
... Matthew 12:31 This is why I tell you that men may find forgiveness for every other
sin andimpious word, but that forimpious speaking against the Holy Spirit...
Persons (156 Occurrences)
... 1 Timothy 1:9 having known this, that for a righteous man law is not set, but for
lawless and insubordinate persons, ungodly and sinners,impious and profane...
Zophar (4 Occurrences)
... He is the first to accuse Job directly of wickedness; averring indeed that his
punishment is too good for him (11:6); he rebukes Job'simpious presumption in...
Nero
... Suetonius (Nero, xvi.), says of him: "He likewise inflicted punishments on the
Christians, a sort of people who hold a new andimpious superstition" (Forbes's...
Resources
What does the Bible say about impiety? What does it mean to be impious? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible mean when it says, “The fool says in his heart, 'There is no God'”? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean to be godless? | GotQuestions.orgImpious: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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