Understanding ἀπιστέω (apisteō) Strong’s G569: The Greek Word that Reveals the Nature of Unbelief and Faith’s Profound Impact

Pronunciation Guide: ah-pis-TEH-oh

Basic Definition

Strong’s G569: ἀπιστέω (apisteō) fundamentally means to actively disbelieve, to refuse to be persuaded, or to deliberately reject what has been revealed as true. This verb goes beyond mere doubt to express a willful rejection of evidence or testimony. It often carries the connotation of being faithless to a commitment or betraying a trust relationship.

Etymology and Morphology

• Part of Speech: Verb
• Root: Compound of ἀ- (negative prefix) and πιστεύω (pisteuō, “to believe, trust”)
• Language Origin: Koine Greek
• Primary Usage: Found in narrative passages and theological discourse
• Literary Style: Often used in contexts of witness testimony and divine revelation

ἀπιστέω Morphology:

• ἀπιστῶ (present active indicative, 1st person singular) – I disbelieve
• ἀπιστεῖς (present active indicative, 2nd person singular) – you disbelieve
• ἀπιστεῖ (present active indicative, 3rd person singular) – he/she/it disbelieves
• ἀπιστήσας (aorist active participle, nominative singular masculine) – having disbelieved
• ἀπίστησαν (aorist active indicative, 3rd person plural) – they disbelieved

Origin & History

The compound verb ἀπιστέω emerged from classical Greek literature where it initially meant “to disobey” or “to be unfaithful.” In Herodotus’s Histories (5.50), it appears in contexts of breaking political treaties. The word evolved in Hellenistic Greek to emphasize intellectual rejection of truth claims.

In the Septuagint, ἀπιστέω appears notably in Wisdom 1:2 describing those who put God to the test through deliberate unbelief. The Jewish historian Josephus employs the term in Jewish Antiquities (4.107) when describing the Israelites’ refusal to believe God’s promises despite witnessing miracles.

The early church fathers, particularly Clement of Alexandria in his work Stromata, developed the theological implications of ἀπιστέω as representing not just intellectual doubt but moral resistance to divine truth.

Expanded Definitions & Translation Options

• Active disbelief or refusal to believe despite evidence
• Unfaithfulness to a trust or commitment
• Moral resistance to truth claims
• Deliberate rejection of testimony

ἀπιστέω Translation Options:

• “to disbelieve” – Best captures the active nature of the rejection
• “to refuse to believe” – Emphasizes the willful aspect of unbelief
• “to be faithless” – Highlights the relational breach of trust
• “to reject (testimony)” – Useful in contexts of witness accounts
• “to be unfaithful” – Appropriate when emphasizing covenant betrayal

Biblical Usage

The word ἀπιστέω appears prominently in resurrection narratives, where it describes the disciples’ initial reaction to testimony about the risen Messiah. Its first appearance in Mark 16:11 sets this pattern, showing how even devoted followers can struggle with unprecedented divine revelation.

The word carries special weight in narratives about Thomas in John 20:24-29, though ἀπιστέω itself isn’t used there, the concept is central to the story. This demonstrates how unbelief can exist even among those who have witnessed other miracles and been close to the Messiah.

Key Biblical References:

• “And they, when they had heard that He was alive and had been seen by her, disbelieved [ἀπιστέω].” Mark 16:11
• “Neither believed they [ἀπιστέω] them.” Mark 16:13
• “And He upbraided them with their unbelief [ἀπιστέω].” Mark 16:14
• “For what if some did not believe [ἀπιστέω]?” Romans 3:3
• “If we believe not [ἀπιστέω], yet He abideth faithful.” 2 Timothy 2:13

Cultural Insights

In ancient Jewish culture, the concept of belief (אמונה, emunah) was fundamentally different from the Greek philosophical tradition. While Greeks emphasized intellectual assent to propositions, Hebrew thought saw belief as faithful trust in a person – specifically יהוה (Yahweh). Thus, ἀπιστέω in a Jewish context carried the weight of covenant betrayal, not merely intellectual doubt.

The Roman world of the first century placed high value on eyewitness testimony in legal proceedings. The use of ἀπιστέω in resurrection accounts would have resonated with readers familiar with legal testimony, suggesting not just doubt but a formal rejection of valid witness evidence.

Theological Significance

The usage of ἀπιστέω reveals that unbelief is not merely the absence of faith but an active position of resistance to God’s truth. This understanding transforms our view of faith and unbelief – they are not neutral stances but active responses to divine revelation.

The word appears significantly in contexts where God’s faithfulness contrasts with human unfaithfulness, particularly in Romans 3:3-4. This juxtaposition highlights the immutable nature of God’s character – human unbelief cannot nullify His faithfulness.

The appearance of ἀπιστέω in resurrection narratives serves a profound theological purpose – it demonstrates that faith in the resurrection isn’t blind acceptance but a reasonable response to testimony, while unbelief represents a choice to reject evidence.

Personal Application

Understanding ἀπιστέω challenges us to examine our own responses to God’s truth claims. Are we actively resisting evidence of His work in our lives? The word reminds us that unbelief isn’t merely doubt but can be a chosen position of resistance to truth.

This understanding can transform how we approach those struggling with faith. Rather than simply providing more information, we might need to address the heart’s willingness to trust and submit to truth already known.

Related Words

• ἄπιστος (apistos, “unfaithful, unbelieving”) – ah-PIS-tos – The adjective form describing one characterized by unbelief See G571
• πιστεύω (pisteuō, “to believe, trust”) – pis-TEU-oh – The positive counterpart expressing active faith See G4100
• ἀπιστία (apistia, “unbelief”) – ah-pis-TEE-ah – The noun form expressing the state of unbelief See G570
• διακρίνω (diakrinō, “to doubt, waver”) – dee-ah-KREE-no – Describes internal questioning rather than outright rejection See G1252

Did you Know?

• The word ἀπιστέω appears in ancient Greek medical texts to describe patients who refuse to follow their physician’s instructions, suggesting a connection between unbelief and disobedience that enriches our understanding of the biblical usage.
• In modern Greek, the word απιστώ (apistó) still carries the meaning of disbelief but has evolved to also mean “I can’t believe it!” in the sense of amazement – an interesting linguistic development showing how language can shift from negative to positive connotations.
• The prefix ἀ- in ἀπιστέω is the same negative prefix found in words like “atheist” and “amoral,” consistently indicating opposition or negation in both ancient and modern terminology.

Remember This

ἀπιστέω represents not passive doubt but active resistance to truth, reminding us that faith and unbelief are both choices we make in response to divine revelation.