Impiety, in the biblical context, refers to a lack of reverence or respect for God and the things of God. It is often associated with ungodliness, irreverence, and a disregard for divine authority and commandments. The Bible frequently addresses the issue of impiety, warning against its consequences and urging believers to pursue a life of holiness and devotion.

Old Testament References

In the Old Testament, impiety is often depicted as a deviation from the covenant relationship between God and His people. The Israelites were repeatedly warned against adopting the impious practices of surrounding nations. In Deuteronomy 9:7, Moses reminds the Israelites of their rebellious nature: "Remember this and never forget how you provoked the LORD your God in the wilderness. From the day you left the land of Egypt until you reached this place, you have been rebelling against the LORD."

The Psalms frequently contrast the righteous with the impious. Psalm 1:1-2 states, "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." Here, the "wicked" and "mockers" are representative of those who live impiously, rejecting God's law.

New Testament References

In the New Testament, impiety is addressed as a significant concern for the early church. The Apostle Paul, in his letters, frequently warns against ungodliness and encourages believers to live in a manner worthy of their calling. In Romans 1:18 , Paul writes, "The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the ungodliness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness."

Paul's letters to Timothy also emphasize the dangers of impiety. In 2 Timothy 3:1-5 , he describes the characteristics of impious people in the last days: "But understand this: In the last days terrible times will come. For men 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. Turn away from such as these!"

Theological Implications

Impiety is fundamentally a heart issue, reflecting a person's attitude towards God. It manifests in actions that are contrary to God's will and character. The Bible teaches that impiety leads to spiritual death and separation from God. In contrast, a life of piety and reverence is marked by obedience, worship, and a deep relationship with the Creator.

The call to avoid impiety is not merely about external behavior but involves a transformation of the heart and mind. Romans 12:2 exhorts believers, "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God."

Practical Application

Believers are encouraged to cultivate a life of piety through regular prayer, study of Scripture, and participation in the community of faith. Hebrews 12:28-29 reminds Christians, "Therefore, since we are receiving an unshakable kingdom, let us be filled with gratitude, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe. For our God is a consuming fire."

By pursuing a life of reverence and devotion, Christians can guard against the dangers of impiety and live in a way that honors God and reflects His holiness to the world.1. (n.) Irreverence toward the Supreme Being; ungodliness; wickedness.

2. (n.) An impious act; an act of wickedness.

763. asebeia -- ungodliness, impiety
... ungodliness, impiety. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: asebeia Phonetic
Spelling: (as-eb'-i-ah) Short Definition: impiety, irreverence ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/763.htm - 7k

877. aphrosune -- foolishness
... aphrosune Phonetic Spelling: (af-ros-oo'-nay) Short Definition: want of sense,
foolishness Definition: want of sense, foolishness, impiety, wickedness. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/877.htm - 6k

8442. toah -- a wandering, error
... abominable custom, thing, abomination. Feminine active participle of ta'ah; mistake,
ie (morally) impiety, or (political) injury -- error, hinder. ...
/hebrew/8442.htm - 6k

2613. chanuppah -- profaneness, pollution
... 1). profaneness. Feminine from chaneph; impiety -- profaneness. see HEBREW
chaneph. 2612, 2613. chanuppah. 2614 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/2613.htm - 6k

What is Impiety?
... Homily III. Chapter VII."What is Impiety? "But impiety against Him is,
in the matter of religion, to die saying there is another ...
/.../unknown/the clementine homilies/chapter vii what is impiety.htm

Origin of Impiety.
... Book V. Chapter XXXIII."Origin of Impiety. "Hence is the origin of all
impiety; hence murders, adulteries, thefts; and a nursery ...
/.../unknown/recognitions of clement /chapter xxxiii origin of impiety.htm

Of the Impiety of those who Assert that the Souls which Enjoy True ...
... Book XII. Chapter 20."Of the Impiety of Those Who Assert that the Souls Which Enjoy
True and Perfect Blessedness, Must Yet Again and Again in These Periodic ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 20 of the impiety of.htm

Of the Impiety of the Magic Art, which is Dependent on the ...
... Book VIII. Chapter 19."Of the Impiety of the Magic Art, Which is Dependent
on the Assistance of Malign Spirits. Moreover, against ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 19 of the impiety of.htm

Of the Impiety of Porphyry, which is Worse than Even the Mistake ...
... Book X. Chapter 27."Of the Impiety of Porphyry, Which is Worse Than Even
the Mistake of Apuleius. How much more tolerable and ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 27 of the impiety of.htm

Impiety of Attributing a visible Form to God. --The Setting up of ...
... OF THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD THE CREATOR CHAPTER 11. IMPIETY OF ATTRIBUTING A VISIBLE
FORM TO GOD."THE SETTING UP OF IDOLS A DEFECTION FROM THE TRUE GOD. ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 11 impiety of attributing.htm

The Heathens Charge Justice with Impiety in Following God.
... The Epitome of the Divine Institutes. Addressed to His Brother Pentadius. Chap.
LV."The Heathens Charge Justice with Impiety in Following God. ...
/.../lactantius/the divine institutes/chap lv the heathens charge justice.htm

The Absurdity and Impiety of the Heathen Mysteries and Fables ...
... Chapter II."The Absurdity and Impiety of the Heathen Mysteries and Fables
About the Birth and Death of Their Gods. Explore not ...
/.../clement/exhortation to the heathen/chapter ii the absurdity and impiety.htm

Of Jeroboam, who Profaned the People Put under Him by the Impiety ...
... Chapter 22."Of Jeroboam, Who Profaned the People Put Under Him by the Impiety of
Idolatry, Amid Which, However, God Did Not Cease to Inspire the Prophets ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 22 of jeroboam who profaned.htm

The Testimony of the Spirit Necessary to Give Full Authority to ...
... AUTHORITY TO SCRIPTURE. THE IMPIETY OF PRETENDING THAT THE CREDIBILITY OF
SCRIPTURE DEPENDS ON THE JUDGMENT OF THE CHURCH. THE TESTIMONY ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 7 the testimony of.htm

Impiety (9 Occurrences)
...Impiety (9 Occurrences). Matthew 15:19 For out of the heart proceed wicked thoughts,
murder, adultery, fornication, theft, perjury, impiety of speech. (WEY). ...
/i/impiety.htm - 9k

Impious (19 Occurrences)
... language! What further need have we of witnesses! See, you have now heard the
impiety. (WEY). Mark 14:64 You all heard his impious words. ...
/i/impious.htm - 11k

Constellation (1 Occurrence)
... ie, "fool." This was the Hebrew name of the constellation Orion (Job 9:9; 38:31),
a constellation which represented Nimrod, the symbol of folly and impiety. ...
/c/constellation.htm - 7k

Justly (22 Occurrences)
... Titus 2:12 teaching us that, having denied impiety and worldly lusts, we should
live soberly, and justly, and piously in the present course of things, (DBY). ...
/j/justly.htm - 12k

Gomorrah (25 Occurrences)
... This city is always mentioned next after Sodom, both of which were types
of impiety and wickedness (Genesis 18:20; Romans 9:29). ...
/g/gomorrah.htm - 17k

Godlessness (3 Occurrences)
... Romans 1:18 for revealed is the wrath of God from heaven upon all impiety and
unrighteousness of men, holding down the truth in unrighteousness. (See NIV). ...
/g/godlessness.htm - 7k

Wicked (476 Occurrences)
... Matthew 15:19 For out of the heart proceed wicked thoughts, murder, adultery,
fornication, theft, perjury, impiety of speech. (WEY). ...
/w/wicked.htm - 37k

Indulge (12 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). 2 Timothy 2:16 But from irreligious and frivolous talk hold aloof, for
those who indulge in it will proceed from bad to worse in impiety, (WEY NIV). ...
/i/indulge.htm - 10k

Impieties (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) Plural of Impiety. Multi-Version Concordance
Impieties (1 Occurrence). Jude 1:18 that they said to ...
/i/impieties.htm - 6k

Irreligious (7 Occurrences)
... 2 Timothy 2:16 But from irreligious and frivolous talk hold aloof, for those who
indulge in it will proceed from bad to worse in impiety, (WEY). ...
/i/irreligious.htm - 8k

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