Impieties refer to acts or attitudes that demonstrate a lack of reverence or respect for God, His commandments, and the sacred. In the Bible, impiety is often associated with ungodliness, wickedness, and moral corruption. It is a condition of the heart that manifests in actions contrary to the will and holiness of God.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, impiety is frequently addressed in the context of Israel's covenant relationship with God. The Israelites were called to be a holy nation, set apart for God's purposes (Exodus 19:6). However, their history is marked by periods of impiety, where they turned away from God to worship idols and engage in practices contrary to His law. The prophets often rebuked the people for their impious behavior, calling them to repentance and a return to the covenant.

For example, in Jeremiah 2:19, the prophet warns, "Your own wickedness will discipline you; your own apostasies will reprimand you. Consider then and realize how evil and bitter it is for you to forsake the LORD your God and to have no fear of Me," declares the Lord GOD of Hosts. This passage highlights the consequences of impiety and the importance of fearing and revering God.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, impiety is addressed in the context of the broader call to live a life worthy of the Gospel. The apostle Paul, in his letters, frequently contrasts the life of the believer with the impious ways of the world. In Romans 1:18-21, Paul writes, "The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—His eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from His workmanship, so that men are without excuse. For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking and darkened in their foolish hearts."

This passage underscores the idea that impiety is not merely ignorance but a willful rejection of God's truth and authority. It is a condition that leads to moral decay and spiritual blindness.

Examples of Impieties

1. Idolatry: One of the most prominent forms of impiety in the Bible is idolatry, the worship of false gods. The first commandment explicitly forbids this practice (Exodus 20:3-4). Despite this, Israel repeatedly fell into idolatry, as seen in the worship of the golden calf (Exodus 32) and the Baals (Judges 2:11-13).

2. Blasphemy: Speaking irreverently about God or sacred things is another form of impiety. Leviticus 24:16 states, "Whoever blasphemes the name of the LORD must surely be put to death. The whole congregation must stone him. Whether he is a foreigner or a native, if he blasphemes the Name, he must be put to death."

3. Moral Corruption: Impiety is also evident in moral corruption and injustice. The prophets often condemned the leaders and people of Israel for their failure to uphold justice and righteousness (Isaiah 1:23, Amos 5:12).

4. Hypocrisy: Jesus frequently rebuked the Pharisees for their hypocrisy, which He saw as a form of impiety. In Matthew 23:27-28, He says, "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men’s bones and every kind of impurity. In the same way, on the outside you appear to be righteous, but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness."

Theological Implications

Impiety is fundamentally a rejection of God's sovereignty and holiness. It is a manifestation of the sinful nature that separates humanity from God. The Bible teaches that the remedy for impiety is repentance and faith in Jesus Christ, who reconciles us to God and empowers us to live godly lives. As Paul writes in Titus 2:11-12, "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."(n.) Plural of Impiety.

Psalm LXV.
... Therefore nations that are converted to Christ afterwards, and taking to heart the
impieties of their parents, and saying now what the prophet Jeremias himself ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm lxv.htm

Christian Morals. Part iii.
... only evil, and continually evil; it may be feared that their sins held pace with
their lives; and their longevity swelling their impieties, the longanimity of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/browne/christian morals/christian morals part iii.htm

Further Proofs, from Ezekiel. Summary of the Prophetic Argument ...
... because they have filled up (the measure of) their impieties, and, behold, are
themselves, as it were, grimacing; I will deal with mine indignation, [1368 ...
/.../tertullian/an answer to the jews/chapter xi further proofs from ezekiel.htm

The vision of Paul.
... 4. For indeed the sun, the great light, often addressed the Lord saying: Lord God
Almighty, I look out upon the impieties and injustices of men; permit me and ...
//christianbookshelf.org/unknown/the vision of paul/the vision of paul.htm

Panegyric on the Splendor of Affairs.
... reached our deep corruption, he alone having taken upon himself our labors, he alone
having suffered the punishments due for our impieties, having recovered us ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter iv panegyric on the splendor.htm

section iii.
... some new additions, yet small to those which accrew to our Adversaries, and those
only drawn from the revolt of Pagans, men but of negative Impieties, and such ...
//christianbookshelf.org/browne/religio medici/section iii.htm

1 Cor. xi. 17
... Having therefore pointed out so great impieties, indignity to the Supper, indignity
to the Church, the contempt practised towards the poor; he relaxes again ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily xxvii 1 cor xi.htm

On Religion; the Natural and Divine Life; and the Exemplification ...
... pretend to that name. I speak not now of those gross impieties wherewith
the Heathens were wont to worship their gods. There are but ...
/.../scougal/the life of god in the soul of man/part i on religion the.htm

The Capitula of the Council.
... is right or that a part of it is right, or if anyone shall defend those who have
written or shall write in its favour, or in defence of the impieties which are ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/the capitula of the council.htm

section i.
... the Children of Israel to pollute themselves with the Temples of the Heathens; we
being all Christians, and not divided by such detested impieties as might ...
//christianbookshelf.org/browne/religio medici/section i.htm

Impieties (1 Occurrence)
...Impieties (1 Occurrence). Jude 1:18 that they said to you, that in the last time
there shall be scoffers, after their own desires of impieties going on, (YLT). ...
/i/impieties.htm - 6k

Impiety (9 Occurrences)

/i/impiety.htm - 9k

Impetuous (4 Occurrences)

/i/impetuous.htm - 7k

Elijah (104 Occurrences)
... In 1 Kings 16:29-34 we read of the impieties of Ahab, culminating in his patronage
of the worship of the Tyrian Baal, god of his Tyrian queen Jezebel (1 Kings ...
/e/elijah.htm - 71k

Ahaz (42 Occurrences)
... inquire by" (2 Kings 16:15). 11. Further Impieties: Even this did not exhaust
the royal innovations. We learn from a later notice ...
/a/ahaz.htm - 43k

Josiah (51 Occurrences)
... for her verdict on the book; and she, whether aware of its contents or not, assured
him that the curses were valid, and that for impieties against which the ...
/j/josiah.htm - 42k

Impieties: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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