Understanding ἄθεσμος (athesmos) Strong’s G113: The Lawless Behavior that Grieves God’s Righteous Heart

Pronunciation Guide: ah-THES-mos

Basic Definition

Strong’s G113: ἄθεσμος uniquely used by Peter, describes behavior that flagrantly violates divine and moral law, characterizing those who live without regard for established moral and spiritual boundaries. This rare but potent term combines the negative prefix “a-” (without) with “thesmos” (law/custom), literally meaning “one who casts off restraint.” It appears in contexts depicting extreme moral degradation that particularly grieves God’s heart.

Etymology and Morphology

• Part of Speech: Adjective
• Root Components: ἀ- (negative prefix) + θεσμός (established law/custom)
• Language Origin: Classical Greek
• Primary Usage: Narrative descriptions of wickedness
• Literary Context: Found in ethical teachings and warnings

ἄθεσμος Morphology:

• ἄθεσμος (nominative singular masculine) – lawless person
• ἄθεσμοι (nominative plural masculine) – lawless people
• ἀθέσμων (genitive plural) – of lawless ones
• ἀθέσμοις (dative plural) – to/for lawless ones

Origin & History

The term ἄθεσμος has deep roots in classical Greek literature, where it first appeared in discussions of civil order and moral philosophy. Plato uses it in his “Laws” to describe those who show contempt for established customs and divine ordinances. The word gained particular significance in Hellenistic Jewish literature, especially in the Septuagint’s translation of wisdom literature.

The compound nature of ἄθεσμος, combining the negative prefix with the noun for established law, reflects the Greek understanding that proper order came from both divine and human law working in harmony. Those labeled as ἄθεσμος were seen as threats not just to human society but to the divine order itself.

Expanded Definitions & Translation Options

• Complete rejection of moral and divine law
• Living without regard for established boundaries
• Flagrant violation of sacred customs
• Extreme moral degradation

ἄθεσμος Translation Options:

• “Lawless” – Emphasizes the rejection of established order
• “Ungoverned” – Highlights the lack of moral restraint
• “Wanton” – Captures the sense of deliberate immorality
• “Unprincipled” – Reflects the absence of moral foundation

Biblical Usage

In the New Testament, ἄθεσμος appears only twice, both times in 2 Peter, where it characterizes behavior that particularly grieves God’s heart. The apostle Peter uses it to describe the extreme wickedness that prompted divine judgment in history, while also warning about similar behavior in his own time.

The word’s rarity in Scripture makes its appearances particularly significant, as it marks behavior that crosses a particular threshold of rebellion against divine order. Peter’s usage suggests that this term was reserved for describing particularly egregious violations of God’s moral law.

• “[Lot] was distressed by the lawless [ἄθεσμος] deeds of the wicked” 2 Peter 2:7
• “You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, take care that you are not carried away with the error of lawless [ἄθεσμων] people and lose your own stability” 2 Peter 3:17

Cultural Insights

In the Greco-Roman world, the concept of thesmos (established law) was fundamental to social order. Laws were seen as having divine origin, particularly in Greek thought where the goddess Themis personified divine law and order. Therefore, to be ἄθεσμος was to reject not just human legislation but divine ordering itself. This helps explain why Lot was particularly distressed by the ἄθεσμος behavior he witnessed in Sodom – it represented a complete rejection of divine order.

Theological Significance

The use of ἄθεσμος in 2 Peter reveals God’s perspective on deliberate rebellion against His moral order. It’s significant that this term appears in contexts discussing divine judgment, suggesting that this particular form of lawlessness represents a serious affront to God’s character and authority.

The word carries special weight in describing the kind of behavior that preceded the flood and the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, indicating that ἄθεσμος behavior represents a tipping point in divine patience. Yet, even in these contexts, we see God’s mercy in preserving the righteous, demonstrating that His judgment is always tempered with grace for those who remain faithful to Him.

Personal Application

When we encounter this word in Scripture, it should prompt us to examine our own hearts regarding our response to God’s moral law. While none of us are perfect, there’s a difference between struggling with sin while seeking to honor God, and living in deliberate rejection of His authority.

This word also calls us to maintain a proper grief over sin – both in our own lives and in our culture – while holding fast to God’s promises and protection for His people. Like Lot, we can remain righteous even in the midst of an ἄθεσμος society through God’s sustaining grace.

Related Words

• ἄνομος (anomos) – without law, lawless, not subject to law – Points to specific violation of known law rather than general moral abandonment. See G459
• παράνομος (paranomos) – contrary to law, lawbreaker – Emphasizes active opposition to law rather than complete rejection of moral restraint. See G3891
• ἀσεβής (asebes) – ungodly, impious – Focuses on lack of reverence toward God rather than rejection of moral order. See G765
• ἄδικος (adikos) – unrighteous, unjust – Emphasizes wrong actions rather than rejection of moral foundation. See G94

Did you Know?

• The word ἄθεσμος appears in ancient Greek magical papyri, where it described actions that were believed to invite divine curse, showing how seriously this type of behavior was viewed in the ancient world.
• In modern Greek, the word has evolved into “athesmia” (αθεσμία), which is used in legal contexts to describe actions that violate constitutional law, maintaining its connection to serious breaches of established order.
• The root word θεσμός was so important in ancient Athens that the first written laws of Draco and Solon were called “thesmoi,” emphasizing their divine and unchangeable nature.

Remember This

ἄθεσμος represents not just sin, but a complete rejection of God’s moral order that grieves His heart and invites His righteous judgment, while reminding us of His faithful protection of those who remain true to Him.