Strong's Lexicon apisteó: To disbelieve, to be unfaithful, to doubt Original Word: ἀπιστέω Word Origin: Derived from the Greek word ἄπιστος (apistos), meaning "unbelieving" or "faithless." Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: The Hebrew equivalent often associated with disbelief or lack of faith is אֱמוּנָה (emunah), which means faithfulness or trust. However, the concept of disbelief is more contextually found in terms like מָאֵן (ma'en), meaning to refuse or reject. Usage: The verb ἀπιστέω (apisteó) primarily conveys the act of disbelief or lack of faith. It is used in the New Testament to describe a refusal to trust or believe in God, His promises, or His messengers. This term often highlights a spiritual condition of skepticism or doubt, particularly in relation to the gospel message and the person of Jesus Christ. Cultural and Historical Background: In the Greco-Roman world, belief and faith were often associated with trust in the gods, philosophical systems, or political structures. The early Christian message challenged these existing beliefs by calling individuals to place their faith solely in Jesus Christ. The concept of disbelief (apisteó) was significant in the early church as it addressed both Jewish and Gentile audiences who struggled with accepting the radical claims of the gospel. HELPS Word-studies Cognate: 569 apistéō (from 571 /ápistos, "unfaithful," without faith, i.e. negating 4103 /pistós, "faithful") – properly, refusing to be persuaded by God ("betray His trust," J. Thayer). 569 /apistéō ("not willing to be persuaded") means more than "disbelieve" ("not believing") because it indicates "refusing to be faithful" (honor a trust or revelation from the Lord). See 571 (apistos). 569/apisteō ("refuse to be persuaded") is sin committed by believers (Mk 16:11; Lk 24:11,41) and unbelievers (Ac 28:24; Ro 3:3; 1 Pet 2:7). 569 (apistéō) reveals a person is unconvinced when they should be persuaded by what the Lord has done (offered). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom apistos Definition to disbelieve, be faithless NASB Translation believe (3), disbelieve (1), disbelieved (1), faithless (1), refused to believe (1), would not believe (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 569: ἀπιστέωἀπιστέω, ἀπίστω; (imperfect ἠπίστουν); 1 aorist ἠπίστησα; (ἄπιστος); 1. to betray a trust, be unfaithful: 2 Timothy 2:13 (opposed to πιστός μένει); Romans 3:3; (others deny this sense in the N. T.; cf. Morison or Meyer on Romans, the passage cited; Ellicott on 2 Timothy, the passage cited). 2. to have no belief, disbelieve: in the news of Christ's resurrection, Mark 16:11; Luke 24:41; with dative of person, Luke 24:11; in the tidings concerning Jesus the Messiah, Mark 16:16 (opposed to πιστεύω) (so 1 Peter 2:7 T Tr WH); Acts 28:24. (In Greek writings from Homer down.) From apistos; to be unbelieving, i.e. (transitively) disbelieve, or (by implication) disobey -- believe not. see GREEK apistos Englishman's Concordance Mark 16:11 V-AIA-3PGRK: ὑπ' αὐτῆς ἠπίστησαν NAS: and had been seen by her, they refused to believe it. KJV: of her, believed not. INT: by her disbelieved [it] Mark 16:16 V-APA-NMS Luke 24:11 V-IIA-3P Luke 24:41 V-PPA-GMP Acts 28:24 V-IIA-3P Romans 3:3 V-AIA-3P 2 Timothy 2:13 V-PIA-1P 1 Peter 2:7 V-PPA-DMP Strong's Greek 569 |
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