Brief Overview of ἀσέβεια (G763: asebeia)

1. Brief Overview:

Transliteration: asebeia

Root Words:

• ἀσέβεια (asebeia) is derived from ἄθεος (atheos) meaning “godless” or “impious” and the suffix -εια (-ia) which denotes a state or quality.

Primary Meanings:

• Impiety: The quality of being irreverent towards the divine or sacred.
• Wickedness: Behavior that is morally wrong or sinful, especially in a religious context.
• Ungodliness: A lack of respect or reverence for the divine.

2. Detailed Description:

BDAG: BDAG defines ἀσέβεια as “impiety” or “ungodliness.” It refers to actions or attitudes that are disrespectful or irreverent towards the divine or sacred principles. The term is used to describe a moral state or behavior that is contrary to religious norms.

Thayer’s: Thayer’s Greek Lexicon describes ἀσέβεια as “impiety” or “ungodliness,” emphasizing actions or attitudes that show a lack of reverence for God. It implies a moral or ethical failure in recognizing or honoring divine authority.

Vines: Vines’ Expository Dictionary also aligns with BDAG, defining ἀσέβεια as “impiety” or “ungodliness.” It is used to denote actions that are contrary to divine commands or sacred principles.

LSJ: LSJ describes ἀσέβεια as “impiety” or “irreverence,” with a focus on behavior that disregards divine law or sacred customs.

Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance: Strong’s defines ἀσέβεια as “impiety” or “ungodliness,” specifically referring to a lack of respect for God or sacred things.

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Bible Verses:

• 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;”
• Here, “ungodliness” reflects the meaning of ἀσέβεια.
• 2 Timothy 2:16 (KJV): “But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.”
• The term “ungodliness” is used to describe behavior that opposes divine truth.
• Titus 2:12 (KJV): “Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;”
• “Ungodliness” is contrasted with righteous living.

3. Usage in Classic Greek Literature:

• Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics: Discusses concepts related to moral failings and impiety, though not always using ἀσέβεια directly, reflecting similar ideas about ethical behavior.
• Plato’s Republic: Mentions impiety and the moral consequences of not respecting divine laws, which align with the concept of ἀσέβεια.
• Sophocles’ Antigone: Explores themes of piety and impiety in the context of divine law versus human law, relevant to the notion of ἀσέβεια.

4. Summary:

ἀσέβεια (G763: asebeia) refers to “impiety” or “ungodliness,” describing actions or attitudes that are irreverent or disrespectful towards the divine. It is used in the New Testament to address moral failings in recognizing and honoring God. In classic Greek literature, similar themes of impiety and moral failings appear, though the term ἀσέβεια itself may not be used directly. The concept broadly encompasses behaviors and attitudes that defy divine or sacred principles.