Topical Encyclopedia
The term "unjust" in the Bible refers to actions, behaviors, or individuals that are not in alignment with God's standards of righteousness and fairness. The concept of justice is central to the biblical narrative, and the term "unjust" is often used to describe those who deviate from God's laws and principles.
Old Testament ContextIn the Old Testament, the Hebrew word often translated as "unjust" is "עָוֶל" (avel), which can also mean iniquity or wrongdoing. The concept of justice is deeply rooted in the character of God, who is described as just and righteous. In
Deuteronomy 32:4, God is called "a God of faithfulness and without injustice; righteous and upright is He."
The prophets frequently condemned unjust practices, particularly those that oppressed the poor and marginalized. For example, in
Micah 6:11, God questions, "Can I justify dishonest scales and a bag of false weights?" indicating His disdain for economic injustice.
New Testament ContextIn the New Testament, the Greek word "ἄδικος" (adikos) is commonly used to describe the unjust. Jesus, in His teachings, often highlighted the contrast between the just and the unjust. In the Sermon on the Mount, He instructs His followers to love their enemies, "that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous" (
Matthew 5:45).
The parables of Jesus also address the theme of justice and injustice. In the Parable of the Unjust Judge (
Luke 18:1-8), Jesus tells of a widow who persistently seeks justice from a judge who neither fears God nor respects people. The parable underscores the importance of persistence in prayer and God's ultimate justice.
Theological ImplicationsThe Bible presents God as the ultimate judge who will bring justice to the earth. In
Romans 2:6-8, Paul writes, "God 'will repay each one according to his deeds.' To those who by perseverance in doing good seek glory, honor, and immortality, He will give eternal life. But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow wickedness, there will be wrath and anger."
The unjust are often contrasted with the righteous, and the Bible warns of the consequences of unjust behavior. In
1 Corinthians 6:9-10, Paul lists those who will not inherit the kingdom of God, including the unjust, emphasizing the need for repentance and transformation through Christ.
Practical ApplicationBelievers are called to reflect God's justice in their lives.
Micah 6:8 states, "He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?" Christians are encouraged to pursue justice, defend the oppressed, and live in a manner that reflects God's righteousness.
In summary, the concept of being unjust is antithetical to the character of God and His expectations for His people. The Bible consistently calls for justice, righteousness, and fairness, urging believers to align their lives with these divine principles.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
a.) Acting contrary to the standard of right; not animated or controlled by justice; false; dishonest; as, an unjust man or judge.
2. (a.) Contrary to justice and right; prompted by a spirit of injustice; wrongful; as, an unjust sentence; an unjust demand; an unjust accusation.
Greek
94. adikos --unjust, unrighteous...unjust, unrighteous. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: adikos Phonetic
Spelling: (ad'-ee-kos) Short Definition:
unjust, unrighteous Definition:
unjust...91. adikeo -- to do wrong, act wickedly
... wronged (3). hurt, injure, be an offender, beunjust. From adikos; to beunjust,
ie (actively) do wrong (morally, socially or physically...
3709. orge -- impulse, wrath
... proceeds from an internal which opposes someone or something based on extended personal
exposure, ie solidifying what the beholder considers (unjust, evil)....
4646. skolios -- curved, winding, hence crooked
... because (like a piece of wood); (figuratively) morally (warped) because lacking
the oil of the Holy Spirit -- hence, to God (His standards); "perverse,unjust...
93. adikia -- injustice, unrighteousness
... legal) injustice (properly, the quality, by implication, the act); morally,
wrongfulness (of character, life or act) -- iniquity,unjust, unrighteousness, wrong...
Strong's Hebrew
1215. betsa -- gain made by violence,unjust gain, profit... 1214, 1215. betsa. 1216 . gain made by violence,
unjust gain, profit.
Transliteration: betsa Phonetic Spelling: (beh'-tsah) Short Definition: gain.
...5767a. avval --unjust, unrighteous one
... 5767, 5767a. avval. 5767b .unjust, unrighteous one. Transliteration:
avval Short Definition:unjust. Word Origin from the same...
5767. avval --unjust, unrighteous one
... 5766, 5767. avval. 5767a .unjust, unrighteous one. Transliteration: avval
Phonetic Spelling: (av-vawl') Short Definition:unjust.unjust, unrighteous, wicked...
5760. avil --unjust one
... 5759, 5760. avil. 5761 .unjust one. Transliteration: avil Phonetic
Spelling: (av-eel') Short Definition: ruffians. Word Origin...
5767b. avlah -- injustice, unrighteousness, wrong
... Origin from the same as evel Definition injustice, unrighteousness, wrong NASB Word
Usage iniquity (3), injustice (4), injustices (1),unjust (1), unjustly (1...
5766. evel -- injustice, unrighteousness
... Word Origin from an unused word Definition injustice, unrighteousness NASB Word
Usage iniquity (10), injustice (5),unjust (1), unjustly (2), unrighteousness (1...
8636. tarbith -- increment, interest, usury
... increase,unjust gain. From rabah; multiplication, ie Percentage or bonus in addition
to principal -- increase,unjust gain. see HEBREW rabah. 8635, 8636....
2555. chamas -- violence, wrong
...Unjust gain -- cruel(-ty), damage, false, injustice, X oppressor, unrighteous, violence
(against, done), violent (dealing), wrong. see HEBREW chamac....
205. aven -- trouble, sorrow, wickedness
... Vanity, wickedness; specifically an idol -- affliction, evil, false, idol, iniquity,
mischief, mourners(-ing), naught, sorrow,unjust, unrighteous, vain,vanity...
6233. osheq -- oppression, extortion
... From ashaq; injury, fraud, (subjectively) distress, (concretely)unjust gain --
cruelly, extortion, oppression, thing (deceitfully gotten). see HEBREW ashaq....
Library
TheUnjust Steward.
... THEUNJUST STEWARD.... Thus wickedly he would provide Houses in which he might abide,
When for his former actsunjust He from his stewardship was thrust....
He that isUnjust in the Least isUnjust Also in Much. Luke 16:10.
... He that isunjust in the least isunjust also in much. Luke 16:10. These
words are a part of the parable of theunjust steward, or...
TheUnjust Steward
... SERMON XLII. THEUNJUST STEWARD. Eversley, 1866. NINTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY. Luke
16:8. "And the Lord commended theunjust steward, because he had done wisely."...
Whether a Man is CalledUnjust through Doing anUnjust Thing?
... OF INJUSTICE (FOUR ARTICLES) Whether a man is calledunjust through doing
anunjust thing? Objection 1: It would seem that a man...
Whether an Advocate Sins by Defending anUnjust Cause?
... OF INJUSTICE IN JUDGMENT ON THE PART OF COUNSEL (FOUR ARTICLES) Whether
an advocate sins by defending anunjust cause? Objection...
Whether an Accusation is RenderedUnjust by Calumny, Collusion or...
... OF MATTERS CONCERNINGUNJUST ACCUSATION (FOUR ARTICLES) Whether an accusation
is renderedunjust by calumny, collusion or evasion?...
Synod of Antioch;Unjust Deposition of Eustathius; Euphronius...
... Chapter XIX."Synod of Antioch;Unjust Deposition of Eustathius; Euphronius receives
the Throne; Constantine the Great writes to the Synod and to Eusebius...
TheUnjust Steward - Dives and Lazarus - Jewish Agricultural Notes...
... THEUNJUST STEWARD - DIVES AND LAZARUS - JEWISH AGRICULTURAL NOTES - PRICES OF PRODUCE -
WRITING AND LEGAL DOCUMENTS - PURPLE AND FINE LINEN - JEWISH NOTIONS...
Of Matters ConcerningUnjust Accusation (Four Articles)
... OF MATTERS CONCERNINGUNJUST ACCUSATION (FOUR ARTICLES). We must now consider
matters pertaining tounjust accusation. Under this...
Pelagius Makes GodUnjust.
... Book III. Chapter 3."Pelagius Makes GodUnjust. We are driven at last
to yield our assent on divine authority to that which we...
Thesaurus
Unjust (44 Occurrences)... 1. (a.) Acting contrary to the standard of right; not animated or controlled
by justice; false; dishonest; as, an
unjust man or judge.
...Oppressor (28 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) One who oppresses; one who imposesunjust burdens
on others; one who harasses others withunjust laws or unreasonable severity....
Least (76 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). Luke 16:10 He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also
in much: and he that isunjust in the least isunjust also in much....
Austere (2 Occurrences)
... Wrongdoing eclipses the soul's vision of God's love and pictures His
righteousness as harsh, unfeeling, partial,unjust, forbidding....
Injustice (32 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) Anunjust act or deed; a sin; a crime; a wrong. Multi-Version Concordance...
He doesn't fail, but theunjust know no shame. (See NAS)....
Unjustly (11 Occurrences)
Universe (19 Occurrences)
Steward (23 Occurrences)
... parable of the Laborers in the Vineyard, it is the steward who pays the laborers
at the close of the day (Matthew 20:8). The parable of theUnjust Steward best...
Gain (142 Occurrences)
... gan: In the Old Testament the translation of three Hebrew substantives, betsa`,
"unjust gain," "any gain" (Judges 5:19 Job 22:3 Proverbs 1:19; Proverbs 15:27...
Quickened (9 Occurrences)
... 1 Peter 3:18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for theunjust,
that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but...
Resources
What did Jesus mean when He spoke of making friends by worldly wealth (Luke 16:9)? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about authority? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about injustice? | GotQuestions.orgUnjust: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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