Topical Encyclopedia
In the context of the Bible, the term "unstable" often refers to a lack of steadfastness or reliability, particularly in one's faith or character. This concept is addressed in various passages, highlighting the spiritual and moral implications of instability.
James 1:8 · "He is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways." This verse from the Epistle of James underscores the dangers of being double-minded, which is equated with instability. A double-minded person is one who wavers in faith and commitment, lacking the firm foundation necessary for spiritual growth and maturity. The instability here is not just a personal flaw but a spiritual condition that affects all aspects of life.
2 Peter 2:14 · "With eyes full of adultery, they never stop sinning; they seduce the unstable; they are accursed children." In this passage, Peter warns against false teachers who prey on the unstable. The unstable are those who are not firmly rooted in the truth of the Gospel, making them susceptible to deception and sin. This highlights the importance of spiritual discernment and the need for a solid grounding in Scripture to avoid being led astray.
Genesis 49:4 · "Unstable as water, you shall not excel, because you went up to your father’s bed; then you defiled it—he went up to my couch!" In Jacob's blessing to his sons, Reuben is described as "unstable as water" due to his impulsive and sinful actions. This instability results in a loss of privilege and blessing, illustrating the consequences of a lack of self-control and moral integrity.
Proverbs 24:21-22 · "My son, fear the LORD and the king, and do not associate with the rebellious. For they will bring sudden destruction. Who knows what ruin they can bring?" While the term "unstable" is not directly used, the warning against associating with the rebellious implies the instability that comes from aligning with those who lack respect for divine and earthly authority. Such associations can lead to personal and communal ruin.
Ephesians 4:14 · "Then we will no longer be infants, tossed about by the waves and carried around by every wind of teaching and by the clever cunning of men in their deceitful scheming." Paul speaks to the need for spiritual maturity to avoid being unstable. The imagery of being "tossed about by the waves" conveys the idea of instability, which results from a lack of doctrinal grounding. Spiritual maturity, achieved through growth in Christ, provides the stability needed to withstand false teachings.
In summary, the Bible presents instability as a spiritual and moral issue that can have significant consequences. It is often associated with a lack of faith, discernment, and moral integrity. The Scriptures encourage believers to seek stability through a firm foundation in God's Word, spiritual maturity, and a steadfast commitment to the truth.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
a.) Not stable; not firm, fixed, or constant; subject to change or overthrow.
Greek
793. asteriktos --unstable, unsettled...unstable, unsettled. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: asteriktos Phonetic
Spelling: (as-tay'-rik-tos) Short Definition: unsteady,
unstable Definition
...182. akatastatos --unstable
...unstable. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: akatastatos Phonetic Spelling:
(ak-at-as'-tat-os) Short Definition: unsettled,unstable Definition...
1425. dusnoetos -- hard to understand
... 2 Pet 3:16: "As also in all his letters, speaking in them of these things, in which
are some things (1425 ), which the untaught andunstable distort, as they...
Strong's Hebrew
6349. pachaz -- wantonness, recklessness...unstable. From pachaz; ebullition, ie Froth (figuratively, lust) --
unstable. see
HEBREW pachaz. 6348, 6349. pachaz. 6350 . Strong's Numbers.
5128. nua -- to quiver, wave, waver, tremble, totter
... 1), shake (4), shaken (4), shook (1), stagger (3), staggered (1), swing to and fro
(1), to and fro (1), tremble (1), trembled (2),unstable (1), vagrant (2...
Library
Christ and theUnstable.
... V. CHRIST AND THEUNSTABLE. TEXT: Matthew 21:10-16. WE have lately seen
from several examples that what is properly to be regarded...
Moreover, in this Way You Represent them as not OnlyUnstable and...
... Book I. 19 Moreover, in this way you represent them as not onlyunstable
and excitable? Moreover, in this way you represent them...
That we must not Believe Everyone, and that we are Prone to Fall...
... Blessed be thou, O Lord my God, in all things which happen unto us. We are
weak andunstable, we are quickly deceived and quite changed....
The Forty-Fifth Chapter: all Men are not to be Believed, for it is...
... Blessed be Your name, O Lord my God, in everything that befalls us. We
are weak andunstable, quickly deceived and changed. Who...
Of Four Kinds of Fever Wherewith a Man May be Tormented
... Now mark whence thisunstable condition comes in some good men. When a
man sets his thoughts and his inward active endeavour on...
On Predestination
... in all his Epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things
hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned andunstable wrest, as...
On the Contemplation of Human Misery
... 2. There are many foolish andunstable men who say, "See what a prosperous life
that man hath, how rich and how great he is, how powerful, how exalted." But...
Instability
... the. REV. CH SPURGEON. at the Music Hall, Royal Surrey Gardens. "Unstable
as water, thou shalt not excel.""Genesis 49:4. PERFECT...
A Preliminary Discourse to Catechising
... Such as are unsettled are of the tribe of Reuben,unstable as water,' Genesis
49:9; like a ship without ballast, overturned with every wind of doctrine....
To Eulalius, Bishop of Persian Armenia.
... bear it." [1732] But one thing I do beseech your reverence, and that is to have
greater heed of the unsound; and not only to strengthen theunstable but also...
Thesaurus
Unstable (8 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Unstable (8 Occurrences).
... (WEY). James 1:8 He is a
double-minded man,
unstable in all his ways. (WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV).
...Unsettled (5 Occurrences)
... of the Lord is now here. (WEY NIV). James 1:8 A man unsettled in his opinions
isunstable in all his ways. (WBS). James 3:8 but the...
Unspotted (3 Occurrences)
Unlearned (7 Occurrences)
... in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things
hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned andunstable wrest, as...
Unstained (4 Occurrences)
Opinions (7 Occurrences)
... kept out of your society; (BBE). James 1:8 A man unsettled in his opinions
isunstable in all his ways. (WBS). 2 Samuel 16:23 In those...
Wrest (8 Occurrences)
... in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things
hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned andunstable wrest, as...
Wentest (16 Occurrences)
... Genesis 49:4Unstable as water, thou shalt not excel; because thou wentest up to
thy father's bed; then defiledst thou it: he went up to my couch....
Impress (6 Occurrences)
... 1 Timothy 6:17 Impress on those who are rich in the present age that they must not
be haughty nor set their hopes on riches--thatunstable foundation--but on...
Instability (1 Occurrence)
... 1. (n.) The quality or condition of beingunstable; want of stability, firmness,
or steadiness; liability to give way or to fail; insecurity; precariousness; as...
Resources
How should a Christian view gun control? | GotQuestions.orgIs the original Bible still in existence? | GotQuestions.orgWhat can we learn from the tribe of Levi / the Levites? | GotQuestions.orgUnstable: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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