113. athesmos

Lexicon

athesmos: Lawless, unprincipled, unrighteous

Original Word: ἄθεσμος
Part of Speech: Adjective
Transliteration: athesmos
Pronunciation: ah'-thes-mos
Phonetic Spelling: (ath'-es-mos)
Definition: Lawless, unprincipled, unrighteous
Meaning: lawless, unrestrained, licentious.

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

lawless, wicked.

From a (as a negative particle) and a derivative of tithemi (in the sense of enacting); lawless, i.e. (by implication) criminal -- wicked.

see GREEK a

see GREEK tithemi

HELPS Word-studies

113 áthesmos (from 1 /A "not" and 5087 /títhēmi, "set in place") – properly, not in acceptable order ("out of place").

[In ancient secular Greek, 114 (athetéō) referred to what was "illegal (contrary to statute)," as in Plutarch (1:712b; cf. TDNT 1:167).]

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from alpha (as a neg. prefix) and thesmos (law, custom)
Definition
lawless
NASB Translation
unprincipled men (2).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 113: ἄθεσμος

ἄθεσμος, (θεσμός), lawless (A. V. wicked); of one who breaks through the restraints of law and gratifies his lusts: 2 Peter 2:7; 2 Peter 3:17. (the Sept., Diodorus, Philo, Josephus, Plutarch.)

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: Derived from the Greek prefix "α-" (a-, meaning "not" or "without") and "θεσμός" (thesmos, meaning "law" or "custom").

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: While there is no direct Hebrew equivalent for ἄθεσμος, the concept of lawlessness can be related to several Hebrew terms that convey similar meanings, such as:

- H5766 עָוֶל (avel): Injustice, unrighteousness, or iniquity.
- H6588 פֶּשַׁע (pesha): Transgression, rebellion, or sin.
- H7562 רֶשַׁע (resha): Wickedness or lawlessness.

These Hebrew terms similarly describe actions and attitudes that are contrary to God's law and are often used in the Old Testament to depict the moral and spiritual failings of individuals or nations.

Usage: The term ἄθεσμος is used in the New Testament to describe individuals or actions that are contrary to divine or moral law. It conveys a sense of being unruly or rebellious against established norms or commandments.

Context: The Greek term ἄθεσμος appears in the New Testament in contexts that emphasize moral and spiritual lawlessness. It is used to describe individuals who act in defiance of God's laws and principles, often with a sense of deliberate rebellion or disregard for divine authority.

In 2 Peter 2:7, the term is used to describe the inhabitants of Sodom and Gomorrah, highlighting their immoral and lawless behavior: "And if He rescued Lot, a righteous man distressed by the depraved conduct of the lawless (ἄθεσμος)." This usage underscores the contrast between the righteous Lot and the surrounding society characterized by its rejection of God's standards.

The concept of ἄθεσμος is significant in understanding the biblical perspective on sin and rebellion. It reflects a broader theme in Scripture where lawlessness is seen as a departure from God's intended order and a rejection of His authority. The term is often associated with the end times, where an increase in lawlessness is predicted as a sign of the last days.

Theologically, ἄθεσμος serves as a warning against the dangers of moral relativism and the abandonment of divine law. It calls believers to uphold God's commandments and to live in a manner that reflects His righteousness, standing apart from a world that often embraces lawlessness.

Forms and Transliterations

αθεσμων αθέσμων ἀθέσμων athesmon athesmōn athésmon athésmōn

Englishman's Concordance

2 Peter 2:7 Adj-GMP
GRK: τῆς τῶν ἀθέσμων ἐν ἀσελγείᾳ
NAS: conduct of unprincipled men
KJV: the filthy conversation of the wicked:
INT: the of the lawless in sensuality

2 Peter 3:17 Adj-GMP
GRK: τῇ τῶν ἀθέσμων πλάνῃ συναπαχθέντες
NAS: by the error of unprincipled men and fall
KJV: with the error of the wicked, fall from
INT: with the of the lawless [ones] error having been led away

Strong's Greek 113
2 Occurrences

ἀθέσμων — 2 Occ.