Unspeakable
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The term "unspeakable" in the context of the Bible often refers to things that are beyond human comprehension or expression, particularly in relation to the divine and the experiences of the faithful. It is used to describe the inexpressible nature of certain spiritual realities and the profound experiences of God's presence and glory.

Biblical References:

1. 2 Corinthians 9:15 : "Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!" Here, the Apostle Paul refers to the gift of Jesus Christ and the salvation He brings as "indescribable" or "unspeakable." This highlights the magnitude and the ineffable nature of God's grace and generosity, which surpass human understanding and articulation.

2. 2 Corinthians 12:4 : "was caught up into Paradise. The things he heard were too sacred for words, things that man is not permitted to tell." In this passage, Paul recounts a vision of heaven where he heard "unspeakable words" that are not lawful for a man to utter. This suggests that the divine revelations and experiences in the heavenly realm are beyond the capacity of human language to convey.

3. 1 Peter 1:8 : "Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and rejoice with an inexpressible and glorious joy." Peter describes the joy of believers as "inexpressible" or "unspeakable," emphasizing the profound and overwhelming nature of the joy that comes from faith in Jesus Christ, which transcends ordinary human emotions and expressions.

Theological Implications:

The concept of "unspeakable" in the Bible underscores the limitations of human language and understanding when it comes to the divine. It points to the mystery and majesty of God, whose ways and thoughts are higher than ours (Isaiah 55:8-9). The use of "unspeakable" serves to remind believers of the transcendence of God and the depth of His love and grace, which cannot be fully captured by human words.

Spiritual Experience:

The "unspeakable" nature of certain spiritual experiences reflects the intimate and personal encounters with God that believers may have. These experiences often leave individuals in awe and wonder, unable to fully articulate the depth of their encounter with the divine. Such moments are marked by a profound sense of peace, joy, and assurance that surpasses human understanding (Philippians 4:7).

Practical Application:

For believers, the recognition of the "unspeakable" aspects of their faith encourages humility and reverence before God. It invites them to trust in the mystery of God's plan and to rely on the Holy Spirit to guide them in their spiritual journey. It also calls for a life of gratitude and worship, acknowledging the indescribable gift of salvation and the inexpressible joy that comes from a relationship with Christ.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(a.) Incapable of being adequately described; inexpressibly bad; unutterable; as, unspeakable grief or rage.
Greek
412. aneklaletos -- unspeakable
... unspeakable. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: aneklaletos Phonetic Spelling:
(an-ek-lal'-ay-tos) Short Definition: unspeakable Definition: unspeakable ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/412.htm - 7k

731. arretos -- unspeakable
... unspeakable. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: arretos Phonetic Spelling:
(ar'-hray-tos) Short Definition: not to be uttered, secret Definition: not to ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/731.htm - 7k

4716. stauros -- an upright stake, hence a cross (the Rom. ...
... 38, 16:24, etc.). The represents unspeakable pain, humiliation and suffering --
and ironically is also symbol of ! At , Jesus won ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4716.htm - 8k

411. anekdiegetos -- inexpressible
... indescribable. From a (as a negative particle) and a presumed derivative of ekdiegeomai;
not expounded in full, ie Indescribable -- unspeakable. see GREEK a. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/411.htm - 7k

215. alaletos -- inexpressible
... unutterable, inexpressible. From a (as a negative particle) and a derivative of
laleo; unspeakable -- unutterable, which cannot be uttered. see GREEK a. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/215.htm - 6k

Library

On the Unspeakable Advantages to be Derived from Meditating on the ...
... PART THE FIRST. CHAPTER XIV. On The Unspeakable Advantages to Be Derived
From Meditating on The Divine Passion. The Servant."Truly ...
/.../suso/a little book of eternal wisdom/chapter xiv on the unspeakable.htm

The Unspeakable Doctrine of the Fundamental Epistle.
... Concerning the Nature of Good, Against the Manich??ans. Chapter 46.
"The Unspeakable Doctrine of the Fundamental Epistle. For ...
/.../chapter 46 name unspeakable doctrine.htm

Certain Unspeakable Turpitudes Believed, not Without Reason ...
... Manich??ans. Chapter 45. "Certain Unspeakable Turpitudes Believed, Not
Without Reason, Concerning the Manich??ans Themselves. But ...
/.../chapter 45 name unspeakable turpitudes.htm

In what Sense God is Ineffable.
... How do I know this, except from the fact that God is unspeakable? But what I have
said, if it had been unspeakable, could not have been spoken. ...
/.../augustine/on christian doctrine in four books /chapter 6 in what sense god.htm

Joy in Believing
... BELIEVING. 'In Whom, though now ye see Him not, yet believing, ye rejoice
with joy unspeakable and full of glory.'"1 Peter 1:8. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture ephesians peter/joy in believing.htm

2 Cor. Ix. 10
... like as the corn cast into the ground showeth luxuriant crops, so also many are
the handfuls almsgiving produceth of righteousness, and unspeakable the fruits ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily xx 2 cor ix.htm

Except Ye Abide
... This comes as matter of command and obedience. There is unspeakable danger
of our not giving ourselves with our whole heart to abide. ...
/.../murray/the true vine meditations for a month on john 151-16/except ye abide.htm

Sanctified by God the Father.
... And when our souls are stirred up to ecstatic gratitude and love, by the thought
of the "unspeakable gift" of the Lord Jesus Christ, and of the unspeakable ...
/.../clark/the theology of holiness/chapter xi sanctified by god.htm

2 Cor. xii. 1
... were those which he had recounted, those of his trials; he has however other things
also to tell of, such as concern the revelations, the unspeakable mysteries ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily xxvi 2 cor xii.htm

Introduction
... "The Spirit himself more than intercedes with God in sighs unspeakable and He that
searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because His ...
//christianbookshelf.org/origen/origen on prayer/chapter one introduction.htm

Thesaurus
Unspeakable (5 Occurrences)
... (a.) Incapable of being adequately described; inexpressibly bad; unutterable;
as, unspeakable grief or rage. ...Unspeakable (5 Occurrences). ...
/u/unspeakable.htm - 8k

Inexpressible (3 Occurrences)
... (a.) Ineffable; unspeakable; indescribable; unutterable; as, inexpressible grief
or pleasure. ... 2 Corinthians 9:15 Now thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift! ...
/i/inexpressible.htm - 7k

Unutterable (3 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (a.) Incapable of being spoken or voiced; inexpressible;
ineffable; unspeakable; as, unutterable anguish. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/u/unutterable.htm - 7k

Paradise (6 Occurrences)
... Likewise Paul (2 Corinthians 12:4) speaks of having been "caught up into Paradise"
where he "heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter ...
/p/paradise.htm - 16k

Unsparingly (5 Occurrences)

/u/unsparingly.htm - 8k

Unspeakably (1 Occurrence)

/u/unspeakably.htm - 6k

Indescribable (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Indescribable (1 Occurrence). 2 Corinthians 9:15
Now thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift! (See NAS NIV). ...
/i/indescribable.htm - 6k

Terrified (88 Occurrences)
... Matthew 28:8 They quickly left the tomb and ran, still terrified but full of
unspeakable joy, to carry the news to His disciples. (WEY). ...
/t/terrified.htm - 30k

Repeat (10 Occurrences)
... (See RSV NIV). 2 Corinthians 12:4 God knows--was caught up into Paradise and heard
unspeakable things which no human being is permitted to repeat. (WEY). ...
/r/repeat.htm - 10k

Exult (50 Occurrences)
... 1 Peter 1:8 whom, having not seen, ye love; on whom though not now looking, but
believing, ye exult with joy unspeakable and filled with the glory, (DBY). ...
/e/exult.htm - 20k

Resources
Why do babies die? | GotQuestions.org

How can I overcome grieving the loss of a pet? | GotQuestions.org

Who was John the Baptist in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Unspeakable: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Concordance
Unspeakable (5 Occurrences)

Matthew 28:8
They quickly left the tomb and ran, still terrified but full of unspeakable joy, to carry the news to His disciples.
(WEY)

Romans 7:13
Did then a thing which is good become death to me? No, indeed, but sin did; so that through its bringing about death by means of what was good, it might be seen in its true light as sin, in order that by means of the Commandment the unspeakable sinfulness of sin might be plainly shown.
(WEY)

2 Corinthians 9:15
Now thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift!
(WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT)

2 Corinthians 12:4
how he was caught up into Paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS)

1 Peter 1:8
whom not having known you love; in whom, though now you don't see him, yet believing, you rejoice greatly with joy unspeakable and full of glory-
(WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT)

Subtopics

Unspeakable

Related Terms

Unspeakable (5 Occurrences)

Unspiritual (6 Occurrences)

Second (2060 Occurrences)

Apocryphal

General (9 Occurrences)

Precious (128 Occurrences)

Corinthians (3 Occurrences)

Acts (271 Occurrences)

Epistle (13 Occurrences)

Unsparingly
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