Topical Encyclopedia
Ungodliness, in biblical terms, refers to a state of living that is contrary to the nature and will of God. It encompasses actions, attitudes, and lifestyles that are devoid of reverence for God and His commandments. The concept of ungodliness is frequently addressed in Scripture, highlighting the moral and spiritual decay that results from turning away from divine truth.
Old Testament ContextIn the Old Testament, ungodliness is often associated with idolatry, injustice, and moral corruption. The Hebrew word often translated as "ungodly" is "rasha," which conveys a sense of wickedness and lawlessness. The Psalms and the Prophets frequently denounce ungodliness among the people of Israel, calling them to repentance and a return to covenant faithfulness. For instance,
Psalm 1:1-2 contrasts the way of the ungodly with the righteous: "Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, or set foot on the path of sinners, or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on His law he meditates day and night."
New Testament ContextIn the New Testament, ungodliness is further elaborated upon, particularly in the writings of the Apostle Paul. The Greek word "asebeia" is used to describe a lack of reverence and piety towards God.
Romans 1:18-21 speaks of the wrath of God being revealed against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness. This passage underscores the idea that ungodliness is not merely a passive state but an active suppression of divine truth.
Paul's epistles often warn believers against the dangers of ungodliness infiltrating the church. In
2 Timothy 3:1-5, he describes the characteristics of ungodly people in the last days, noting that they will be "lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, without love of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power."
Theological ImplicationsUngodliness is fundamentally a rejection of God's sovereignty and a refusal to acknowledge His rightful place as Creator and Lord. It is a manifestation of human pride and autonomy, where individuals choose to live according to their own desires rather than submitting to God's will. This rebellion against divine authority is seen as the root of all sin and moral decay.
The Bible teaches that ungodliness leads to spiritual death and separation from God.
Romans 6:23 states, "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." This highlights the dire consequences of ungodliness but also points to the hope of redemption through Jesus Christ.
Practical ApplicationBelievers are called to renounce ungodliness and pursue a life of holiness and godliness.
Titus 2:11-12 instructs, "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." This passage emphasizes the transformative power of God's grace, enabling believers to live in a manner that honors Him.
The call to reject ungodliness is not merely a call to moral behavior but a call to a relationship with God through Jesus Christ. It involves a daily commitment to seek God's will, study His Word, and rely on the Holy Spirit for strength and guidance.
Greek
763. asebeia --ungodliness, impiety...ungodliness, impiety. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: asebeia Phonetic
Spelling: (as-eb'-i-ah) Short Definition: impiety, irreverence
...Strong's Hebrew
2612. choneph -- profaneness... 2611, 2612. choneph. 2613 . profaneness. Transliteration: choneph Phonetic
Spelling: (kho'-nef) Short Definition:
ungodliness. Word
...1100. beliyyaal -- worthlessness
... Word Origin from beli and yaal Definition worthlessness NASB Word Usage base (1),
destruction (1), rascally (1), scoundrels* (1),ungodliness (1), wicked (3...
Library
October 19. "DenyingUngodliness" (Titus ii. 12).
... OCTOBER 19. "Denyingungodliness" (Titus ii. 12). "Denyingungodliness"
(Titus 2:12). Let us say, "No," to the flesh, the world...
Loose Company Preferred by HereticsUngodliness the Effect of...
... Chapter XLIII."Loose Company Preferred by HereticsUngodliness the Effect of Their
Teaching the Very Opposite of Catholic Truth, Which Promotes the Fear of...
Titus ii. 14-Nov
... 11-14. Titus ii.11-14 "For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared
unto all men, Teaching them that, denyingungodliness and worldly lusts, we...
On the Words of the Gospel, John xiv. 6, "I am the Way, and the...
... For he said when he was speaking of such; "The wrath of God is revealed from heaven
against allungodliness." [4190] These are, as ye recognise, the words of...
Psalm XXXVI.
... For the Word of God is thy adversary, if thou be a friend to thyungodliness; but
if thou art an adversary to thyungodliness, the Word of God is thy friend...
The Devil the Mediator of Death, Christ of Life.
... Since he indeed died in the spirit throughungodliness, but certainly did not die
in the flesh: yet both persuaded us toungodliness, and thereby brought it to...
What is the First Resurrection, and what the Second.
... It is of these dead, then"the dead inungodliness and wickedness"that He says,
"The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the...
Again on the Words of the Gospel, Matt. xi. 25, "I Thank Thee, O...
... "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against allungodliness, and
unrighteousness of men who hold the truth in unrighteousness." [2295] Perhaps thou...
A Summary of the Christian Life. Of Self-Denial.
... each of the parts of a well-ordered life: "The grace of God that bringeth salvation
hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denyingungodliness and worldly...
The Deceitfulness of the Human Heart
... of sin, " love of the world, the loving the creature above the Creator, " all manner
of wickedness soon rushed in; allungodliness and unrighteousness...
Thesaurus
Ungodliness (9 Occurrences)...Ungodliness (9 Occurrences).
... Even as it is written, "There will come out of Zion
the Deliverer, and he will turn away
ungodliness from Jacob.
...Ungodlily (1 Occurrence)
... Jude 1:15 to execute judgment against all; and to convict all the ungodly of them
of all their works ofungodliness, which they have wrought ungodlily, and of...
Ungodly (41 Occurrences)
... YLT NAS RSV NIV). 2 Timothy 2:16 But shun empty chatter, for they will proceed
further inungodliness, (See NIV). Hebrews 12:16 lest...
Overwhelmed (33 Occurrences)
... 2 Samuel 22:5 For the waves of death surrounded me. The floods ofungodliness made
me afraid. (See NAS NIV).... The floods ofungodliness made me afraid. (See NIV)....
Floods (37 Occurrences)
... 2 Samuel 22:5 For the waves of death surrounded me. The floods ofungodliness made
me afraid.... The floods ofungodliness made me afraid. (WEB KJV JPS ASV WBS)....
Profane (69 Occurrences)
... "Profaneness" in Jeremiah 23:15 (chanuppah) is in the American Standard Revised
Version "ungodliness." In the New Testament "profane" occurs in the sense of...
Philetus (1 Occurrence)
... people. The apostle proceeds to say that teaching of this kind "eats as doth
a gangrene," and that it increases unto moreungodliness....
Assailed (3 Occurrences)
... populace, (YLT). 2 Samuel 22:5 For the waves of death compassed me; The floods
ofungodliness made me afraid: (See JPS RSV). Psalms 18...
Hymenaeus (2 Occurrences)
... In the passage in 2 Tim, Hymeneus and Philetus are included among persons whose
profane and vain babblings will increase unto moreungodliness, and whose word...
Perdition (14 Occurrences)
... 2 Samuel 22:5 For the waves of death surrounded me. The floods ofungodliness made
me afraid. (See RSV).... The floods ofungodliness made me afraid. (See RSV)....
Resources
What does it mean to be ungodly? What is ungodliness? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about impiety? What does it mean to be impious? | GotQuestions.orgCan a Christian consider a career in acting / entertainment? | GotQuestions.orgUngodliness: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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