Brief Overview of ἀσεβής (G765: asebes)

1. Brief Overview:

Transliteration: asebes

Root Words:

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• ἀσεβής (asebes) is derived from ἀσέβεια (asebeia), meaning “impiety” or “ungodliness.” The adjective form ἀσεβής means “impious” or “irreverent.”

Primary Meanings:

• Impious: Displaying a lack of reverence or respect for the divine or sacred.
• Irreverent: Showing disrespect or disregard for religious principles or deities.
• Ungodly: Behaving in a way that is contrary to the expectations of divine or moral law.

2. Detailed Description:

BDAG: BDAG defines ἀσεβής as “impious” or “irreverent,” specifically referring to behavior that shows a lack of respect towards the divine or sacred. It is used to describe individuals or actions that are contrary to divine laws and principles.

Thayer’s: Thayer’s Greek Lexicon describes ἀσεβής as “impious” or “profane,” emphasizing a lack of reverence towards God or sacred things. It denotes behavior that is contrary to religious expectations.

Vines: Vines’ Expository Dictionary aligns with BDAG, defining ἀσεβής as “impious” or “irreverent,” and notes that it characterizes actions or individuals who show disregard for divine authority.

LSJ: LSJ describes ἀσεβής as “impious” or “irreverent,” particularly in the context of failing to show respect for the divine.

Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance: Strong’s defines ἀσεβής as “impious” or “ungodly,” focusing on attitudes and behaviors that violate divine or sacred laws.

Bible Verses:

• 1 Timothy 1:9 (KJV): “Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane,”
• “Ungodly” here corresponds to ἀσεβής.
• 2 Timothy 3:2 (KJV): “For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,”
• “Unholy” is related to ἀσεβής in its sense of irreverence.
• Romans 1:18 (KJV): “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;”
• “Ungodliness” can be understood in terms of ἀσεβής.

3. Usage in Classic Greek Literature:

• Plato’s Republic: Explores themes of piety and impiety, addressing behaviors that can be described as ἀσεβής.
• Aristotle’s Ethics: Discusses moral virtues and vices, including irreverence and impiety, relevant to the meaning of ἀσεβής.
• Euripides’ Hippolytus: Features discussions on piety and impiety, illustrating the concept of ἀσεβής through character actions and attitudes.

4. Summary:

ἀσεβής (G765: asebes) denotes “impious” or “irreverent,” describing attitudes and behaviors that lack respect for the divine or sacred. It is used in the New Testament to refer to individuals or actions that violate divine or moral laws. In classic Greek literature, the concept of irreverence and impiety is explored, though the term ἀσεβής itself may not always be explicitly used. The term broadly encompasses actions and attitudes contrary to religious or divine expectations.