Brief Overview of ἄπιστος (G571)

Meaning and Usage:

• General Definition: The Greek adjective ἄπιστος (ápistos) means “unbelieving,” “faithless,” or “disbelieving.”
• Contextual Usage: It is used to describe someone who lacks faith or trust, especially in a religious or spiritual context. The term can refer to individuals who do not believe in the divine or spiritual truths presented in the scriptures.

Detailed Overview with Additional Concordances

Etymology and Lexicon References:

1. Strong’s Concordance (G571): Strong’s defines ἄπιστος as “unbelieving” or “faithless.” It characterizes those who are not trustworthy or who do not have faith, especially in religious or spiritual matters.
2. Thayer’s Greek Lexicon: Thayer’s lexicon elaborates that ἄπιστος translates to “unbelieving” or “faithless.” It indicates a lack of faith or trust, particularly in relation to religious beliefs and divine promises.
3. BDAG (Bauer-Danker-Arndt-Gingrich): BDAG describes ἄπιστος as “unbelieving” or “faithless,” with a focus on its use to denote individuals who do not believe in or have trust in God or spiritual teachings. It also highlights its application to those who are not reliable or trustworthy.
4. LSJ (Liddell-Scott-Jones): The LSJ Greek-English Lexicon defines ἄπιστος as “unbelieving,” “faithless,” or “untrustworthy.” It covers both religious contexts (lack of faith) and more general uses (unreliable or not to be trusted).

Biblical Context:

• Usage in Scripture: In the New Testament, ἄπιστος appears in passages such as Matthew 17:17, where Jesus refers to a “faithless” generation when addressing his disciples. It is also used in 1 Corinthians 7:12-14, where Paul discusses the situation of a believer married to an “unbelieving” spouse (ἄπιστος). The term underscores a lack of faith or belief in God and his promises.

In summary, ἄπιστος (G571) means “unbelieving,” “faithless,” or “disbelieving,” and it is used to describe those who lack faith or trust, particularly in spiritual contexts. Various Greek lexicons and biblical references provide a consistent understanding of its meaning, emphasizing its importance in discussions of faith and trust in religious teachings.