Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Nature:Unbelief, in a biblical context, refers to the lack of faith or trust in God and His promises. It is often characterized by doubt, skepticism, or outright rejection of divine truth. Unbelief is not merely an intellectual stance but a spiritual condition that affects one's relationship with God.
Biblical Instances and Teachings:1.
Old Testament Examples: Unbelief is evident throughout the Old Testament, often leading to disobedience and rebellion against God. The Israelites frequently exhibited unbelief despite witnessing God's miraculous works. In
Numbers 14:11 , the Lord expresses His frustration: "And the LORD said to Moses, 'How long will this people treat Me with contempt? How long will they refuse to believe in Me, despite all the signs I have performed among them?'"
2.
New Testament Teachings: In the New Testament, unbelief is addressed by Jesus and the apostles as a significant barrier to receiving God's blessings. Jesus often rebuked His disciples for their lack of faith. In
Mark 9:24 , a father seeking healing for his son cries out, "I do believe; help my unbelief!" This plea highlights the struggle between faith and doubt.
3.
Consequences of Unbelief: Unbelief has serious spiritual consequences.
Hebrews 3:12 warns, "See to it, brothers, that none of you has a wicked heart of unbelief that turns away from the living God." Unbelief can lead to a hardened heart, preventing individuals from entering God's rest (
Hebrews 3:19).
4.
Faith as the Antidote: The Bible consistently presents faith as the remedy for unbelief. In
John 20:27 , Jesus addresses Thomas's doubt: "Then He said to Thomas, 'Put your finger here and look at My hands. Reach out your hand and put it into My side. Stop doubting and believe.'" Faith is portrayed as trust in God's character and His promises, leading to salvation and spiritual growth.
5.
Role of the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in overcoming unbelief. In
John 16:8-9 , Jesus explains, "And when He comes, He will convict the world in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment: in regard to sin, because they do not believe in Me." The Spirit convicts individuals of their unbelief and draws them toward faith in Christ.
6.
Encouragement to Believers: Believers are encouraged to strengthen their faith and guard against unbelief. In
Jude 1:20-21 , the faithful are exhorted: "But you, beloved, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God as you await the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you eternal life."
Conclusion:Unbelief is a significant theme in Scripture, highlighting the importance of faith in the believer's life. It serves as a warning and a call to trust in God's promises, relying on the Holy Spirit to overcome doubt and grow in faith.
ATS Bible Dictionary
UnbeliefOf the testimony of God makes him a liar, and is a sin of the greatest enormity. It is the work of a depraved and guilty heart; for no one without this bias could reject the abundant witness God furnishes of the truth of his word,Psalm 14:1. Especially is unbelief towards an offered Savior an unspeakable crime, justly sealing the condemnation of him who thus refuses to be saved,John 5:181John 5:10.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) The withholding of belief; doubt; incredulity; skepticism.
2. (n.) Disbelief; especially, disbelief of divine revelation, or in a divine providence or scheme of redemption.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
UNBELIEFun-be-lef': The word (the King James Version) represents two Greek words, apeitheia, "disobedience" (only inRomans 11:30, 32Hebrews 4:6, 11), and apistia, "distrust," the antithesis to "faith". (which see). The two words are not only akin etymologically but run into one another by mental connection, certainly where spiritual relations are concerned, as between man and God. For when God has spoken, in precept and yet more in promise, distrust involves, at least potentially, an element of disobedience. His supreme claim is to be trusted to command only what is right, and to promise only what is true. He is infinitely sympathetic in His insight, and infallibly knows where distrust comes only of the dim perceptions and weak mis-givings of our mortal nature, and where, on the other hand, a moral resistance lies at the back of the non-confidence. But the presence of that darker element is always to be suspected, at least, and searched for in serious self-examination.
We may remark that it is a loss in our language that "unbelief" is the only word we can use as the antithesis to "faith"; for "faith" and "belief" (which see) are not exactly synonyms. "Unfaith" would be a welcome word for such use, if it were generally so understood.
Handley Dunelm
Greek
570. apistia --unbelief...unbelief. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: apistia Phonetic Spelling:
(ap-is-tee'-ah) Short Definition:
unbelief, unfaithfulness, distrust
...543. apeitheia -- disobedience
... Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: apeitheia Phonetic Spelling:
(ap-i'-thi-ah) Short Definition: willfulunbelief, obstinacy, disobedience...
Library
The Cause ofUnbelief.
... Chapter XII. The Cause ofUnbelief. If that view is correct which assigns
the last discourse to the temple on Monday it belongs...
Unbelief.
... XIV.UNBELIEF. Man"short-sighted man"often raises impossibilities when God does
not. It is hard for rebelliousunbelief to lie submissive and still....
WhetherUnbelief is a Sin?
... OFUNBELIEF IN GENERAL (TWELVE ARTICLES) Whetherunbelief is a sin? Objection
1: It would seem thatunbelief is not a sin. For every...
The Sin ofUnbelief
... The Sin ofUnbelief. A Sermon (No.3). Delivered... thereof. I. And first, the
SIN. His sin wasunbelief. He doubted the promise of God....
The Credulity ofUnbelief
... THE CREDULITY OFUNBELIEF. 'Many shall come in My name, saying, I am Christ, and
shall deceive many.'"Mark 13:6....Unbelief and superstition are closely allied....
The Difficulties ofUnbelief
... LXXVI THE DIFFICULTIES OFUNBELIEF.... In nowise! All we've gained is, that belief,
Asunbelief before, shakes us by fits, Confounds us like its predecessor....
WhetherUnbelief is in the Intellect as Its Subject?
... OFUNBELIEF IN GENERAL (TWELVE ARTICLES) Whetherunbelief is in the intellect
as its subject? Objection 1: It would seem thatunbelief...
Whether Apostasy Pertains toUnbelief?
... OF APOSTASY (TWO ARTICLES) Whether apostasy pertains tounbelief? Objection
1: It would seem that apostasy does not pertain tounbelief....
WhetherUnbelief is the Greatest of Sin?
... OFUNBELIEF IN GENERAL (TWELVE ARTICLES) Whetherunbelief is the greatest of sin?
Objection 1: It would seem thatunbelief is not the greatest of sins....
Whether theUnbelief of Pagans or Heathens is Graver than Other...
... OFUNBELIEF IN GENERAL (TWELVE ARTICLES) Whether theunbelief of pagans or heathens
is graver than other kinds?... Therefore theirunbelief is the gravest of all....
Thesaurus
Unbelief (16 Occurrences)... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
UNBELIEF.
...Unbelief (16 Occurrences). Matthew
13:58 He didn't do many mighty works there because of their
unbelief.
...Unbeliever (7 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. UNBELIEVER. un-be-lev'-er: This word follows closely
the lines of "unbelief" (which see) in its relation to originals....
Belief (61 Occurrences)
... Mark 16:14 Afterward he was revealed to the eleven themselves as they sat at the
table, and he rebuked them for theirunbelief and hardness of heart, because...
Lack (86 Occurrences)
... GH Gerberding. Multi-Version Concordance Lack (86 Occurrences). Matthew 13:58 He
didn't do many mighty works there because of theirunbelief. (See NIV)....
Grew (133 Occurrences)
... daily. (See NIV). Acts 19:9 But some grew obstinate inunbelief and spoke
evil of the new faith before all the congregation. So Paul...
Believe (239 Occurrences)
... Mark 9:24 Immediately the father of the child cried out with tears, "I believe.
Help myunbelief!" (WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)....
Ignorance (27 Occurrences)
... which God had "overlooked" (Acts 17:30); Paul says of himself that he "obtained
mercy, because (he) did it (against Christ) ignorantly inunbelief" (1 Timothy 1...
Mighty (514 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV ASV WBS YLT RSV). Matthew 13:58 He didn't do many mighty works there
because of theirunbelief. (WEB KJV WEY ASV WBS YLT RSV)....
Nazareth (29 Occurrences)
... from their borders (4:16-29; Matthew 13:54-58); and he finally retired from the
city, where he did not many mighty works because of theirunbelief (Matthew 13...
Didn't (734 Occurrences)
... t speak to them, (WEB). Matthew 13:58 He didn't do many mighty works there
because of theirunbelief. (WEB). Matthew 15:13 But he...
Resources
Why does unbelief appear to be increasing in the world today? | GotQuestions.orgDid Christ die for all sin except for the sin of unbelief? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the meaning of “I believe; help my unbelief” in Mark 9:24? | GotQuestions.orgUnbelief: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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