The term "unlawful" in the biblical context refers to actions, behaviors, or practices that are contrary to the laws and commandments given by God. These laws are primarily found in the Old Testament, particularly within the Mosaic Law, and are further expounded upon in the New Testament through the teachings of Jesus Christ and the apostles. The concept of what is unlawful is deeply rooted in the covenant relationship between God and His people, where obedience to God's laws is a sign of faithfulness and devotion.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word often translated as "unlawful" is "tame," which can also mean "unclean" or "impure." The Mosaic Law, given to the Israelites, contains numerous statutes and ordinances that define what is lawful and unlawful. These laws cover various aspects of life, including dietary restrictions, ceremonial practices, moral conduct, and civil regulations. For example, Leviticus 11 outlines dietary laws, declaring certain animals as unclean and therefore unlawful to eat.

The prophets frequently addressed the issue of unlawful behavior, calling the people of Israel to repentance and a return to God's statutes. Isaiah 1:4-5 laments, "Oh, sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a brood of evildoers, children of corruption! They have forsaken the LORD; they have despised the Holy One of Israel and turned their backs on Him."

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the Greek word "anomos" is often used to describe what is unlawful. Jesus Christ, in His teachings, emphasized the spirit of the law rather than mere legalistic adherence. He challenged the Pharisees and religious leaders who often imposed burdensome interpretations of the law on the people. In Matthew 12:1-8 , Jesus addresses the issue of what is lawful on the Sabbath, highlighting mercy over sacrifice and pointing to Himself as the Lord of the Sabbath.

The apostle Paul also addresses the concept of unlawful behavior in his epistles. In 1 Corinthians 6:12 , he writes, "Everything is permissible for me, but not everything is beneficial. Everything is permissible for me, but I will not be mastered by anything." Here, Paul acknowledges Christian liberty but warns against actions that, while not explicitly unlawful, may not be beneficial or edifying.

Application in Christian Life

For Christians, the understanding of what is unlawful is informed by both the Old and New Testaments. While the ceremonial and civil laws of the Old Testament are not binding on Christians, the moral laws, as fulfilled and interpreted by Christ, continue to guide Christian conduct. The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in convicting believers of sin and guiding them in righteousness.

The early church grappled with the question of what was lawful for Gentile converts, leading to the Jerusalem Council's decision in Acts 15. The council concluded that Gentile believers should abstain from certain practices, such as idolatry and sexual immorality, which were considered unlawful.

In summary, the concept of "unlawful" in the Bible encompasses a wide range of behaviors and practices that are contrary to God's revealed will. It calls believers to a life of holiness, guided by the principles of love, mercy, and obedience to God's commandments.(a.) Not lawful; contrary to law.111. athemitos -- lawless
... lawless. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: athemitos Phonetic Spelling:
(ath-em'-ee-tos) Short Definition: illegal, unlawful Definition: illegal ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/111.htm - 7k

459. anomos -- lawless, without law
... law (1), without law (1), without law (2). without law, unlawful, wicked.
From a (as a negative particle) and nomos; lawless, ie ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/459.htm - 7k

4203. porneuo -- to commit fornication
... From porne; to act the harlot, ie (literally) indulge unlawful lust (of either sex),
or (figuratively) practise idolatry -- commit (fornication). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4203.htm - 7k

1210. deo -- to tie, bind
... deo Phonetic Spelling: (deh'-o) Short Definition: I bind Definition: I bind, tie,
fasten; I impel, compel; I declare to be prohibited and unlawful. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1210.htm - 8k

7195. qesher -- conspiracy
... confederacy, conspiracy, treason. From qashar; an (unlawful) alliance -- confederacy,
conspiracy, treason. see HEBREW qashar. 7194, 7195. qesher. 7196 . ...
/hebrew/7195.htm - 6k

Whether virginity is Unlawful?
... OF VIRGINITY (FIVE ARTICLES) Whether virginity is unlawful? Objection
1: It would seem that virginity is unlawful. For whatever ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether virginity is unlawful.htm

Whether Divination by Dreams is Unlawful?
... OF SUPERSTITION IN DIVINATIONS (EIGHT ARTICLES) Whether divination by dreams is
unlawful? Objection 1: It would seem that divination by dreams is not unlawful. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether divination by dreams is.htm

Whether it be Unlawful to Practice the Observances of the Magic ...
... OF SUPERSTITION IN OBSERVANCES (FOUR ARTICLES) Whether it be unlawful to practice
the observances of the magic art? ... A thing is said to be unlawful in two ways. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether it be unlawful to.htm

Whether Unlawful Intercourse Causes Affinity?
... OF THE IMPEDIMENT OF AFFINITY (ELEVEN ARTICLES) Whether unlawful intercourse causes
affinity? ... Therefore affinity is not caused by unlawful intercourse. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether unlawful intercourse causes affinity.htm

Whether it is Unlawful to Form a Judgment from Suspicions?
... OF JUDGMENT (SIX ARTICLES) Whether it is unlawful to form a judgment from suspicions? ...
Therefore judgment based on suspicion is not unlawful. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether it is unlawful to.htm

Whether Divination by the Stars is Unlawful?
... OF SUPERSTITION IN DIVINATIONS (EIGHT ARTICLES) Whether divination by the stars
is unlawful? ... Nom. iv). Therefore divination by the stars is not unlawful. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether divination by the stars.htm

Whether the Use of Wine is Altogether Unlawful?
... OF SOBRIETY (FOUR ARTICLES) Whether the use of wine is altogether unlawful? Objection
1: It would seem that the use of wine is altogether unlawful. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether the use of wine.htm

The Lawful and Unlawful Use of Law.
... SERMONS. XIX. THE LAWFUL AND UNLAWFUL USE OF LAW. Preached June 27,
1852. THE LAWFUL AND UNLAWFUL USE OF LAW. (A FRAGMENT.). ...
/.../robertson/sermons preached at brighton/xix the lawful and unlawful.htm

Whether it is Unlawful to Wear Divine Words at the Neck?
... OF SUPERSTITION IN OBSERVANCES (FOUR ARTICLES) Whether it is unlawful to
wear divine words at the neck? Objection 1: It would seem ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether it is unlawful to 3.htm

Whether a Sale is Rendered Unlawful through a Fault in the Thing ...
... (D) BY SINS COMMITTED IN BUYING AND SELLING (Q ) Whether a sale is rendered
unlawful through a fault in the thing sold? Objection ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether a sale is rendered.htm

Unlawful (9 Occurrences)
... (a.) Not lawful; contrary to law. Multi-Version Concordance Unlawful (9 Occurrences). ...
why are they doing what on the Sabbath is unlawful?" (WEY NIV). ...
/u/unlawful.htm - 9k

Lawless (16 Occurrences)
... While occurring but once in the King James Version (1 Timothy 1:9), is translated
in various ways, eg "without law" (1 Corinthians 9:21); "unlawful" (2 Peter 2 ...
/l/lawless.htm - 12k

Whore (14 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) A woman who practices unlawful sexual commerce with men, especially
one who prostitutes her body for hire; a prostitute; a harlot. ...
/w/whore.htm - 11k

Tyrant (2 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) Specifically, a monarch, or other ruler or master, who uses power to oppress
his subjects; a person who exercises unlawful authority, or lawful ...
/t/tyrant.htm - 7k

Conspiracy (17 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) An agreement, manifesting itself in words or deeds, by which two or more
persons confederate to do an unlawful act, or to use unlawful to do an act ...
/c/conspiracy.htm - 12k

Confederacy (2 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) A combination of two or more persons to commit an unlawful act, or
to do a lawful act by unlawful means. See Conspiracy. Int. ...
/c/confederacy.htm - 8k

Altar (343 Occurrences)
... till Solomon 4. The Horned Altar in Use 5. The Temple of Solomon 6. The Altar of
Ahaz 7. Ezekiel 8. The Post-exilic Altar 9. Idolatrous and Unlawful Altars 10. ...
/a/altar.htm - 78k

Vexed (37 Occurrences)
... 2 Peter 2:8 (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing,
vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;) (KJV WEY ...
/v/vexed.htm - 16k

Usury (17 Occurrences)
... easy to go from a fair rate of interest to an unfair rate, as seen in the history
of the word "usury," which has come to mean an exorbitant or unlawful interest ...
/u/usury.htm - 15k

Unlade (1 Occurrence)

/u/unlade.htm - 6k

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