Lexical Summary amathés: Unlearned, ignorant Original Word: ἀμαθής Strong's Exhaustive Concordance unlearned. From a (as a negative particle) and manthano; ignorant -- unlearned. see GREEK a see GREEK manthano NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom alpha (as a neg. prefix) and manthanó Definition unlearned NASB Translation untaught (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 261: ἀμαθήςἀμαθής, (ές, genitive (ους (μανθάνω, whence ἔμαθον, τό μάθος, cf. ἀληθής), unlearned, ignorant: 2 Peter 3:16. (In Greek writings from Herodotus down.) Topical Lexicon Definition and Scope The single New Testament usage of ἀμαθεῖς (Strong’s Greek 261) highlights a moral and spiritual condition rather than merely an academic one. It describes those who remain willfully untaught in the things of God, resulting in faulty reasoning and destructive handling of divine revelation. Scripture consistently portrays such ignorance as culpable when truth has been made available (compare Proverbs 1:22–23; Hosea 4:6; Romans 1:20). Biblical Occurrence 2 Peter 3:16 uses ἀμαθεῖς of individuals who distort the apostle Paul’s writings “as they do the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction.” Peter’s assessment places Paul’s letters on the same authoritative plane as “the rest of the Scriptures,” and it exposes a class of people whose ignorance produces unstable doctrine and spiritual ruin. Theological Implications 1. Accountability to Revelation: Ignorance does not absolve; it condemns when truth has been presented (Acts 17:30; John 3:19). Relation to Apostolic Teaching • Paul identifies a similar danger in 1 Timothy 1:7, where some “want to be teachers of the law, but they do not understand what they are saying.” Old Testament Background Ignorance of God’s law is repeatedly blamed for covenantal failure: These passages establish an ethical responsibility to know and obey revealed truth. Historical Context The late first-century church faced emerging heresies that blended loose moral practice with speculative theology. Untaught, unstable individuals supplied an audience and often a platform for such errors. Peter’s warning anticipates second-century distortions such as Gnosticism, underscoring the early recognition of the Pauline corpus as Scripture. Pastoral and Ministry Applications 1. Catechesis: Churches must train believers to handle Scripture accurately (2 Timothy 2:15). Contemporary Application Modern access to Scripture removes excuses for ignorance; however, information overload can masquerade as understanding. The church must promote reflective study, prayerful dependence on the Holy Spirit, and submission to the whole counsel of God. Twisting difficult texts remains a present danger, making Peter’s single use of ἀμαθεῖς a timeless call to diligent, humble engagement with God’s word. Forms and Transliterations αμαθεις αμαθείς ἀμαθεῖς άμαξα αμάξαις άμαξαν αμάξας αμάξη αμάξης amatheis amatheîsLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
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