The term "unruly" is used in the Bible to describe individuals or behaviors that are disorderly, disobedient, or resistant to authority. This concept is addressed in various contexts throughout Scripture, often highlighting the importance of order, discipline, and submission to God's ordained structures.

Biblical References:

1. 1 Thessalonians 5:14 : "And we urge you, brothers, to admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, and be patient with everyone." In this passage, the Apostle Paul instructs the Thessalonian church to address those who are unruly, indicating that such behavior is not in alignment with Christian conduct. The term "unruly" here suggests a deviation from the expected order and discipline within the community of believers.

2. Titus 1:10 : "For many are rebellious and full of empty talk and deception, especially those of the circumcision." Paul warns Titus about individuals who are rebellious, which can be understood as unruly. These individuals disrupt the harmony and sound teaching within the church, necessitating correction and, if necessary, exclusion from the community to preserve doctrinal purity and order.

3. Proverbs 25:28 : "Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control." While the term "unruly" is not explicitly used, the concept is evident in the lack of self-control. An unruly person, much like a city without walls, is vulnerable to chaos and disorder, emphasizing the need for self-discipline and control.

Theological Implications:

The concept of unruliness is significant in the biblical narrative as it often contrasts with the virtues of order, peace, and submission to God's will. Unruly behavior is seen as a threat to the unity and effectiveness of the church, as well as to the individual's spiritual growth. The Bible consistently calls for believers to live in a manner that reflects the order and peace of God's kingdom.

Practical Application:

In the life of the church, addressing unruly behavior is crucial for maintaining a healthy and functioning community. Leaders are encouraged to admonish those who are disorderly, providing guidance and correction with patience and love. This approach not only seeks to restore the individual but also protects the integrity and witness of the church.

Related Concepts:

· Discipline: The process of correcting unruly behavior is closely tied to the biblical concept of discipline, which aims to guide believers toward maturity and holiness.
· Authority: Unruliness often involves a rejection of authority, whether divine or human. The Bible emphasizes the importance of respecting and submitting to God-given authority structures.
· Peace and Order: The opposite of unruliness, peace and order are hallmarks of a life aligned with God's purposes, reflecting the harmony of His creation.

In summary, the biblical treatment of unruliness underscores the importance of living a disciplined and orderly life, in submission to God's authority and in harmony with the community of faith.(superl.) Not submissive to rule; disregarding restraint; disposed to violate; turbulent; ungovernable; refractory; as, an unruly boy; unruly boy; unruly conduct.183. akataschetos -- unruly.
... 182, 183. akataschetos. 184 . unruly. Part of Speech ... unrestrainable, unruly,
untamable. Word Origin variant reading for akatastatos, qv. unruly. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/183.htm - 6k

506. anupotaktos -- not subject to rule
... not subject to rule. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: anupotaktos Phonetic
Spelling: (an-oo-pot'-ak-tos) Short Definition: unruly Definition: not ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/506.htm - 7k

813. ataktos -- out of order, out of place
... Word Origin from alpha (as a neg. prefix) and taktos Definition out of order,
out of place NASB Word Usage unruly (1). unruly. From ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/813.htm - 7k

814. ataktos -- disorderly
... discipline). See 813 (). Word Origin adverb from ataktos Definition disorderly
NASB Word Usage undisciplined (1), unruly (1). disorderly. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/814.htm - 6k

7300. rud -- to wander restlessly, roam
... Word Origin a prim. root Definition to wander restlessly, roam NASB Word Usage
become restless (1), restless (1), roam (1), unruly (1). ...
/hebrew/7300.htm - 6k

Titus i. 5, 6
... and ordain elders in every city as I had appointed thee: If any be blameless, the
husband of one wife, having faithful children, not accused of riot, or unruly ...
/.../homily ii titus i 5.htm

A Soldier's Training
... He was helping now to keep in order those treacherous, unruly Jews, and their worthless
puppet-kings, like Herod; much as our soldiers in India are keeping in ...
/.../kingsley/town and country sermons/sermon iv a soldiers training.htm

section ii.
... Tis that unruly regiment [170] within me, that will destroy me; tis I that do infect
my self; the man without a Navel [171] yet lives in me; I feel that ...
//christianbookshelf.org/browne/religio medici/section ii 2.htm

Book viii. The Blessed Apostle Paul in Laying Down the Form for ...
... sound doctrine and to convict gainsayers. For there are many unruly men,
vain talkers and deceivers [884] . For in this way he points ...
/.../book viii the blessed apostle.htm

The Apostle's Eulogy of Love. Correction to be Administered with ...
... Accordingly, in another passage, after saying, "Warn them that are unruly, comfort
the feeble-minded, support the weak, be patient toward all men," he ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 34 the apostles eulogy of.htm

Whether the Goodness of the Will Depends on Reason?
... x): "It is an unruly will that persists in its desires in opposition to reason."
But the goodness of the will consists in not being unruly. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the goodness of the 3.htm

All Internal Livers Obliged to Attend to God's Inspirations. ...
... abstraction of life. Sec. 3. The second impediment is unruly passions, which
are calmed by mortification and peace of mind. Sec. Sec. 4, 5 ...
/.../chapter v all internal livers.htm

Of the First Covenant Made with Man
... the prince walks on foot, even as in a distempered society, the laws and ordinances
proceed by an unnatural way from the violence of unruly subjects usurping ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/lecture xxi of the first.htm

The Torments of Giant Bad Feelings
... The feelings are like a family of children who may, if allowed to grow up disobedient
and unruly, cause one much trouble, but if controlled and made obedient ...
/.../berry/adventures in the land of canaan/chapter ten the torments of.htm

The Song of a City, and the Pearl of Peace
... "Ah," saith one, "but I have disquietude in my family: I have a wild, unruly son;
or, I have a sick, pining child, who will soon be taken away from my by ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 31 1885/the song of a city.htm

Unruly (8 Occurrences)
... (superl.) Not submissive to rule; disregarding restraint; disposed to violate;
turbulent; ungovernable; refractory; as, an unruly boy; unruly boy; unruly...
/u/unruly.htm - 9k

Disobedient (30 Occurrences)
... Romans 1:30 2 Timothy 3:2). Illustrating this more fully, the translation according
to the King James Version of 1 Timothy 1:9 is given as "unruly" in the ...
/d/disobedient.htm - 17k

Vicious (3 Occurrences)
... 5. (a.) Not well tamed or broken; given to bad tricks; unruly; refractory; as, a
vicious horse. 6. (a.) Bitter; spiteful; malignant. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/v/vicious.htm - 7k

Unrolling (1 Occurrence)

/u/unrolling.htm - 6k

Unsafe (2 Occurrences)

/u/unsafe.htm - 7k

Orderly (8 Occurrences)
... 2. (a.) Observant of order, authority, or rule; hence, obedient; quiet; peaceable;
not unruly; as, orderly children; an orderly community. ...
/o/orderly.htm - 9k

Group (32 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). Titus 1:10 For there are also many unruly men, vain talkers and
deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, (See NIV). ...
/g/group.htm - 16k

Warn (35 Occurrences)
... 1 Thessalonians 5:14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort
the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men. ...
/w/warn.htm - 17k

Feebleminded (1 Occurrence)
... 1 Thessalonians 5:14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort
the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men. (KJV). ...
/f/feebleminded.htm - 7k

Timid (8 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). 1 Thessalonians 5:14 And we exhort you, brethren, admonish the unruly,
comfort the timid, sustain the weak, and be patient towards all. (WEY NIV). ...
/t/timid.htm - 8k

What does it mean to "spare the rod, spoil the child"? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about disrespectful children? | GotQuestions.org

Did Jesus mean we should literally pluck out our eyes and cut off our hands in Matthew 5:29-30 and 18:8-9? | GotQuestions.org

Unruly: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus