Brief Overview of ἀπιστέω (G569)

Meaning and Usage:

• General Definition: The Greek verb ἀπιστέω (apistéō) is derived from the prefix ἀ- (a-, “not”) and the root πιστεύω (pisteúō, “to believe”). It generally means “to disbelieve” or “to be unfaithful.”
• Contextual Usage: In biblical texts, ἀπιστέω is used to describe a lack of faith or trust. It can also refer to disbelief or unfaithfulness towards God or others.

Detailed Overview with Additional Concordances

Etymology and Lexicon References:

1. Strong’s Concordance (G569): Strong’s defines ἀπιστέω as “to disbelieve,” “to be unfaithful,” or “to be faithless.” This definition highlights its usage in contexts where trust or faith is lacking.
2. Thayer’s Greek Lexicon: Thayer’s describes ἀπιστέω as “to be without faith,” “to disbelieve,” or “to be faithless.” It notes that the term is used in various New Testament passages to indicate a lack of belief or trust, particularly in a religious or spiritual context.
3. BDAG (Bauer-Danker-Arndt-Gingrich): BDAG provides a nuanced definition of ἀπιστέω as “to be faithless,” “to be untrustworthy,” or “to disbelieve.” It explains that the term can denote both a general lack of faith and a specific failure to believe in or trust someone or something.
4. LSJ (Liddell-Scott-Jones): The LSJ Greek-English Lexicon defines ἀπιστέω as “to disbelieve,” “to be unfaithful,” or “to lack faith.” It provides examples from classical and biblical Greek that illustrate its usage in contexts of disbelief or unfaithfulness.

Biblical Context:

• Usage in Scripture: In the New Testament, ἀπιστέω appears in passages such as John 20:27, where Jesus addresses Thomas’s disbelief, and Hebrews 3:12, which warns against having an “evil heart of unbelief.” The term is used to describe both a lack of faith in Jesus and a broader sense of unfaithfulness or disbelief in God’s promises.

In summary, ἀπιστέω (G569) means “to disbelieve” or “to be unfaithful,” with its usage indicating a lack of faith or trust in various contexts. Greek lexicons and biblical texts provide a clear understanding of its meaning, emphasizing its relevance to both personal faith and broader concepts of trust and reliability.