Topical Encyclopedia
The term "unbelieving" in the Bible refers to individuals or groups who do not accept or trust in the truths of God as revealed in Scripture. This condition is often associated with a lack of faith, doubt, or outright rejection of God's promises and commands. The Bible addresses the concept of unbelief in various contexts, highlighting its spiritual implications and consequences.
Old Testament ContextIn the Old Testament, unbelief is frequently depicted as a failure to trust in God's power and promises. The Israelites' journey through the wilderness serves as a prominent example. Despite witnessing numerous miracles, many Israelites doubted God's ability to lead them into the Promised Land.
Numbers 14:11 records God's response: "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?'"
The prophets also addressed unbelief, often calling the people of Israel to repentance and faithfulness.
Isaiah 53:1 laments, "Who has believed our message? And to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?" This highlights the persistent issue of unbelief among God's chosen people.
New Testament ContextIn the New Testament, unbelief is a central theme in the ministry of Jesus Christ. Despite His teachings and miracles, many people, including some religious leaders, refused to believe in Him as the Messiah.
John 12:37 states, "Although Jesus had performed so many signs in their presence, they still did not believe in Him."
The Apostle Paul also addresses unbelief, particularly in relation to the rejection of the Gospel by some Jews and Gentiles. In
Romans 11:20 , Paul warns, "That is correct: They were broken off because of unbelief, but you stand by faith. Do not be arrogant, but be afraid."
Spiritual ImplicationsUnbelief is portrayed as a serious spiritual condition with significant consequences.
Hebrews 3:12 cautions believers, "See to it, brothers, that none of you has a wicked heart of unbelief that turns away from the living God." This verse underscores the danger of allowing unbelief to take root in one's heart, leading to a departure from faith.
The Bible also emphasizes the importance of faith as the antidote to unbelief.
Hebrews 11:6 declares, "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who approaches Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him."
Practical ApplicationFor believers, the call to overcome unbelief involves nurturing a strong and active faith. This can be achieved through regular engagement with Scripture, prayer, and participation in a community of faith. Encouragement and accountability from fellow believers can also help individuals combat doubt and strengthen their trust in God.
In summary, the concept of unbelief in the Bible serves as a warning and a call to faithfulness. It challenges individuals to examine their hearts and to seek a deeper, more trusting relationship with God.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
a.) Not believing; incredulous; doubting; distrusting; skeptical.
2. (a.) Believing the thing alleged no to be true; disbelieving; especially, believing that Bible is not a divine revelation, or that Christ was not a divine or a supernatural person.
Greek
571. apistos -- incredible,unbelieving... incredible,
unbelieving. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: apistos Phonetic
Spelling: (ap'-is-tos) Short Definition:
unbelieving, incredulous
...545. apeithes -- disobedient
... disobedient. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: apeithes Phonetic Spelling:
(ap-i-thace') Short Definition:unbelieving, disobedient Definition...
570. apistia -- unbelief
... trust)" (J. Thayer). Word Origin from apistos Definition unbelief NASB Word
Usage unbelief (10),unbelieving (1). unbelief. From apistos...
878. aphron -- without reason, foolish
... particle) and phren; properly, mindless, ie Stupid, (by implication) ignorant,
(specially) egotistic, (practically) rash, or (morally)unbelieving -- fool(-ish...
544. apeitheo -- to disobey
... to disbelieve, disobey. From apeithes; to disbelieve (wilfully and perversely) --
not believe, disobedient, obey not,unbelieving. see GREEK apeithes....
3895. parapipto -- to fall in, into or away, to fail
... parapipto Phonetic Spelling: (par-ap-ip'-to) Short Definition: I fall away Definition:
I fall away, fall back (into theunbelieving and godless ways of the old...
569. apisteo -- to disbelieve, be faithless
... disbelieve. From apistos; to beunbelieving, ie (transitively) disbelieve, or
(by implication) disobey -- believe not. see GREEK apistos....
1484. ethnos -- a race, a nation, pl. the nations (as distinct...
... from , "forming a custom, culture") -- properly, people joined by practicing similar
customs or common culture; (), usually referring tounbelieving (non-Jews...
Library
Unbelieving Belief
...UNBELIEVING BELIEF. 'And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said
with tears, Lord, I believe; help Thou mine unbelief.'"Mark 9:24....
The Wicked and theUnbelieving are not Made Clean by the Giving of...
... Chapter 75."The Wicked and theUnbelieving are Not Made Clean by the Giving
of Alms, Except They Be Born Again. Assuredly, then...
Of the Hindrances which anUnbelieving Husband Puts in his Wife's...
... Book II. Chapter IV."Of the Hindrances Which anUnbelieving Husband Puts
in His Wife's Way. But let her see to (the question) how...
Whether the Believer who Leaves hisUnbelieving Wife Can Take...
... OF DISPARITY OF WORSHIP AS AN IMPEDIMENT TO MARRIAGE (SIX ARTICLES) Whether the
believer who leaves hisunbelieving wife can take another wife?...
To the Wicked andUnbelieving Rich Man.
... XXIX."To the Wicked andUnbelieving Rich Man. Thou wilt, O rich man, by
insatiably looking too much to all thy wealth, squander...
Whether a Believer Can, after his Conversion, Put Away his...
... OF DISPARITY OF WORSHIP AS AN IMPEDIMENT TO MARRIAGE (SIX ARTICLES) Whether a believer
can, after his conversion, put away hisunbelieving wife if she be...
Are they Also to be Admitted to this Supper, Who, by Confession...
... Lord's Day 30 Question 82 Are they also to be admitted to this supper, who, by
confession and life, declare themselvesunbelieving and ungodly?...
Cicero and Others of the Wisest Men Teach the Immortality of the...
... XIX."Cicero and Others of the Wisest Men Teach the Immortality of the Soul, But
in anUnbelieving Manner; And that a Good or an Evil Death Must Be Weighed...
Instructions to the Seventy on their Mission. (Luke, X. ) the Wo...
... THROUGH SAMARIA. Section 204. Instructions to the Seventy on their Mission.
(Luke, x.) The Wo to theUnbelieving Cities. The Spirit...
1 Cor. xiv. 20
... Ver.22. "Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to the
unbelieving: but prophesying is for a sign not to theunbelieving, but to them...
Thesaurus
Unbelieving (22 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Unbelieving (22 Occurrences). Matthew 17:17 "O
unbelieving and perverse generation!" replied Jesus; "how long shall I be with you?
...Prophesy (96 Occurrences)
... 1 Corinthians 14:22 Therefore other languages are for a sign, not to those who believe,
but to theunbelieving; but prophesying is for a sign, not to the...
Believing (84 Occurrences)
... Don't beunbelieving, but believing." (Root in WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV)....
1 Corinthians 7:15 But if theunbelieving depart, let him depart....
Unbelievers (9 Occurrences)
... 2 Corinthians 4:4 in whom the god of this age did blind the minds of theunbelieving,
that there doth not shine forth to them the enlightening of the good news...
Unlearned (7 Occurrences)
... 1 Corinthians 14:23 If therefore the whole assembly is assembled together and all
speak with other languages, and unlearned orunbelieving people come in, won...
Union (24 Occurrences)
... 1 Corinthians 7:14 For, in such cases, theunbelieving husband has become--and
is--holy through union with a Christian woman, and theunbelieving wife is holy...
Unholy (23 Occurrences)
... 1 Corinthians 7:14 For, in such cases, theunbelieving husband has become--and
is--holy through union with a Christian woman, and theunbelieving wife is holy...
Faithless (46 Occurrences)
... fath'-les: The translation of apistos, "without faith," having the sense of
"unbelieving," "disbelieving." Jesus upbraids the people, "O faithless and perverse...
Reality (13 Occurrences)
... 1 Corinthians 7:14 For, in such cases, theunbelieving husband has become--and
is--holy through union with a Christian woman, and theunbelieving wife is holy...
Prophesying (58 Occurrences)
... 1 Corinthians 14:22 Therefore other languages are for a sign, not to those who believe,
but to theunbelieving; but prophesying is for a sign, not to the...
Resources
How important is Christian conduct to how the unbelieving world sees Christ? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is New Israel? | GotQuestions.orgWhat should a Christian do if he or she is married to an unbeliever? | GotQuestions.orgUnbelieving: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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