Topical Encyclopedia
Unfaithfulness, as depicted in the Bible, is a significant moral and spiritual failing that manifests in various forms, including infidelity in marriage, betrayal of trust, and disloyalty to God. It is often portrayed as a breach of covenant, whether between individuals or between humanity and God.
Old Testament ContextIn the Old Testament, unfaithfulness is frequently addressed in the context of Israel's relationship with God. The Israelites are often described as unfaithful when they turn to idolatry and forsake the covenant established with Yahweh. The prophet Hosea's marriage to Gomer serves as a poignant metaphor for Israel's unfaithfulness.
Hosea 1:2 states, "When the LORD first spoke through Hosea, He said to him, 'Go, take for yourself a wife of prostitution and children of unfaithfulness, because the land is committing blatant acts of unfaithfulness by forsaking the LORD.'"
The theme of unfaithfulness is also evident in the narratives of individual relationships. For example, the account of Samson and Delilah in
Judges 16 illustrates personal betrayal, as Delilah's deceit leads to Samson's downfall. Similarly, the unfaithfulness of King David in his adultery with Bathsheba and the subsequent murder of her husband, Uriah, is a stark example of personal moral failure (2 Samuel 11).
New Testament ContextIn the New Testament, unfaithfulness is addressed both in personal relationships and in the broader context of faith in Christ. Jesus speaks against unfaithfulness in marriage, emphasizing the sanctity and permanence of the marital bond. In
Matthew 19:9 , Jesus states, "Now I tell you that whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another woman, commits adultery."
The apostle Paul also addresses unfaithfulness in his epistles, urging believers to remain faithful to their commitments and to God. In
1 Corinthians 4:2 , Paul writes, "Now it is required of stewards that they be found faithful." This call to faithfulness extends to all aspects of life, including stewardship of the gospel and personal conduct.
Spiritual ImplicationsUnfaithfulness is not merely a breach of human relationships but is ultimately seen as a spiritual issue. It reflects a heart that is not fully devoted to God.
James 4:4 warns, "You adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore, whoever chooses to be a friend of the world renders himself an enemy of God." This verse underscores the spiritual adultery that occurs when believers prioritize worldly desires over their relationship with God.
Consequences and RedemptionThe Bible consistently portrays unfaithfulness as having serious consequences, both temporally and spiritually. However, it also offers a message of hope and redemption. God's faithfulness remains steadfast despite human unfaithfulness. In 1
John 1:9 , the promise of forgiveness is extended: "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
Throughout Scripture, the call to return to faithfulness is accompanied by the assurance of God's mercy and the possibility of restoration. The account of the prodigal son in
Luke 15 exemplifies this, illustrating the father's readiness to forgive and restore his wayward son upon his return.
In summary, unfaithfulness in the Bible is a multifaceted issue that affects both human and divine relationships. It is a call to examine one's heart and to seek a life of fidelity, grounded in the faithfulness of God.
Greek
570. apistia -- unbelief... Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: apistia Phonetic Spelling:
(ap-is-tee'-ah) Short Definition: unbelief,
unfaithfulness, distrust Definition
...Strong's Hebrew
4603. maal -- to act unfaithfully or treacherously... acting unfaithfully (1), acts (2), became...unfaithful (1), been (1), been unfaithful
(5), broke faith (1), committed (6), committing
unfaithfulness (1), err (1
...4604. maal -- an unfaithful or treacherous act
... falsehood (1), treachery (2), trespass (1), trespass* (1), unfaithful (3), unfaithful
act (4), unfaithful deeds (1), unfaithfully (6),unfaithfulness (6), very...
2184. zenuth -- fornication
... harlotry. Word Origin from zanah Definition fornication NASB Word Usage harlotry
(6), prostitution (1),unfaithfulness (1). whoredom....
Library
Two Kinds of Riches
... But having delivered the parable, our Lord seems, in the verses that I have read,
to anticipate the objection that theunfaithfulness of the steward can never...
We Come Next in the Order of Belief to the Holy Church. We have...
... But those Churches are not without spot or wrinkle ofunfaithfulness.... But those
Churches are not without spot or wrinkle ofunfaithfulness....
Thus, Then, the Arians, with their Affairs in a Very Flourishing...
... Thus, the best priests being either terrified by threats, or driven into
exile, all gave way before theunfaithfulness of a few....
All, on Account of the Sin of Adam, were Delivered into the Power...
... to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the
spirit that now worketh in the children ofunfaithfulness; among whom we also...
Psalm CI.
... And he explaineth this same wicked thing: "I hated them that dounfaithfulness."
Attend, my brethren.... Hate the doers ofunfaithfulness, repel them from thee....
The Everlasting Covenant of the Spirit
... has undertaken to perform.Unfaithfulness on either side breaks the covenant.
It was thus with the Old Covenant. God had said to...
Judges
... Briefly stated, the moral is this: in the ancient history,unfaithfulness to Jehovah
was regularly followed by chastisement in the shape of foreign invasion...
The Entrusted Talents.
... many; and yet something is gained by making the servant who had received one talent
rather than the servant who had received five, the example ofunfaithfulness...
The Mission of the Christian Home.
... it.". The guilt and condemnation ofunfaithfulness to the home-mission may
be inferred from its importance and responsibility. Those...
Guilty Silence and Its Reward
... If there is nothing but gravel beneath, it too will be brought up by the plough.
There may be much selfishunfaithfulness overlying a real devoted heart....
Thesaurus
Unfaithfulness (27 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Unfaithfulness (27 Occurrences). Matthew 5:32
But I tell you that every man who puts away his wife except
...Unfaithful (58 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 26:40 And they shall confess their iniquity, and the iniquity of their
fathers, through theirunfaithfulness wherein they were unfaithful to me, and...
Unfaithfully (19 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 39:26 and they shall bear their confusion, and all theirunfaithfulness
in which they have acted unfaithfully against me, when they shall dwell safely...
Adultery (49 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) Theunfaithfulness of a married person to the marriage bed; sexual intercourse
by a married man with another than his wife, or voluntary sexual...
Book (211 Occurrences)
... and all Israel(ites): those near and those far off, in all the lands (countries)
whither thou hast driven them on account of theirunfaithfulness toward thee...
Baruch (24 Occurrences)
... and all Israel(ites): those near and those far off, in all the lands (countries)
whither thou hast driven them on account of theirunfaithfulness toward thee...
Vilest (5 Occurrences)
... Hosea 1:2 When Yahweh spoke at first by Hosea, Yahweh said to Hosea, "Go, take for
yourself a wife of prostitution and children ofunfaithfulness; for the land...
Unfaltering (1 Occurrence)
Overwhelmed (33 Occurrences)
... Ezra 9:4 Then were assembled to me every one that trembled at the words of the God
of Israel, because of theunfaithfulness of those that had been carried away...
Gomer (7 Occurrences)
... This experience of the prophet was typical of Israel'sunfaithfulness, of Israel's
exile, and of God bringing her back after the punishment of the exile....
Resources
What is the exception clause? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Gomer in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about divorce and remarriage? | GotQuestions.orgUnfaithfulness: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
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