Lexical Summary anosios: Unholy, profane, impious Original Word: ἀνόσιος Strong's Exhaustive Concordance unholy. From a (as a negative particle) and hosios; wicked -- unholy. see GREEK a see GREEK hosios HELPS Word-studies 462 anósios (an adjective, derived from 1 /A, "without" and 3741 /hósios, "reverence for what should be hallowed") – properly, utter disregard of what is sacred, i.e. willful (arrogant) disrespect of the things of God; "impious; wicked" (J. Thayer). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom alpha (as a neg. prefix) and hosios Definition unholy NASB Translation unholy (2). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 462: ἀνόσιοςἀνόσιος, ἀνοσιον (alpha privative and ὅσιος, which see), unholy, impious, wicked: 1 Timothy 1:9; 2 Timothy 3:2. (In Greek writings from (Aeschylus and) Herodotus down.) Topical Lexicon Conceptual Background Holiness in Scripture expresses separation unto God and conformity to His character (Leviticus 19:2; 1 Peter 1:16). Its antithesis is the state conveyed by Strong’s Greek 462, rendered “unholy” or “irreverent.” The term denotes more than mere moral failure; it points to an active refusal to honor what God has declared sacred, eliminating the boundary between the profane and the divine. Occurrence in the New Testament The word appears twice, both in the Pastoral Epistles. Literary and Contextual Function In both passages the term stands within vice-lists, a literary device that sharply contrasts the gospel’s transforming power with unchecked human depravity. By coupling “unholy” with sins against family (disobedience to parents, murder of parents) and society (violence, greed), Paul underscores that contempt for the sacred erodes every sphere of life. Old Testament and Jewish Background Although the exact Greek term is rare in the Septuagint, the concept is woven throughout the Law and the Prophets. Nadab and Abihu’s “unauthorized fire” (Leviticus 10:1-2) and Uzzah’s irreverent touch of the ark (2 Samuel 6:6-7) illustrate the peril of treating holy things as common. The prophets rebuke Israel for “profaning” the covenant (Malachi 2:10-11), demonstrating that unholiness invites divine judgment and exile. Theological Significance 1. Revelation of the human heart: Unholiness exposes a disposition fundamentally at odds with God’s nature (Romans 8:7). Historical Insight Early Christian writers echoed Paul’s warning. Ignatius urged the Philadelphians to flee “profane” teaching that denied Christ’s incarnation, linking doctrinal error with moral unholiness. Tertullian argued that believers must not attend gladiatorial games because they trivialize blood, a sacred symbol of life. The church recognized that reverence for holy realities—Scripture, worship, sacraments, marriage—guards communal purity and witness. Ministry Applications • Preaching and Teaching: Proclaim the holiness of God alongside the grace that empowers holiness in His people (Titus 2:11-14). Eschatological Perspective 2 Timothy 3:2 locates unholiness within the moral decline preceding Christ’s return. The church must therefore remain vigilant, “spotless and blameless” (2 Peter 3:14), offering a prophetic contrast to a profane age and hastening the day when “nothing unclean will ever enter” the New Jerusalem (Revelation 21:27). Summary Strong’s Greek 462 diagnoses a heart posture that despises the sacred. Scripture portrays it as incompatible with God’s nature, contrary to the gospel, corrosive to society, and characteristic of the last days. In response, believers are called to revere what God declares holy, trusting the finished work of Christ and yielding to the sanctifying guidance of the Holy Spirit. Forms and Transliterations ανόσια ανοσιοι ανόσιοι ἀνόσιοι ανοσιοις ανοσίοις ἀνοσίοις ανούς άνους anosioi anósioi anosiois anosíoisLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 1 Timothy 1:9 Adj-DMPGRK: καὶ ἁμαρτωλοῖς ἀνοσίοις καὶ βεβήλοις NAS: and sinners, for the unholy and profane, KJV: for sinners, for unholy and INT: and sinful for [the] unholy and profane 2 Timothy 3:2 Adj-NMP Strong's Greek 462 |
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