Lexical Summary asebés: Ungodly, impious, irreverent Original Word: ἀσεβής Strong's Exhaustive Concordance ungodly man. From a (as a negative particle) and a presumed derivative of sebomai; irreverent, i.e. (by extension) impious or wicked -- ungodly (man). see GREEK a see GREEK sebomai HELPS Word-studies 765 asebḗs (an adjective which is the negation of 4576 /sébomai, "to respect") – properly, lack of reverence ("without due respect"), i.e. failing to honor what is sacred – especially in the outward (ceremonial) sense. [765 (asebḗs) is the antonym (opposite) of 4576 /sébomai ("respecting what is holy").] NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom alpha (as a neg. prefix) and sebó Definition ungodly, impious NASB Translation godless man (1), ungodly (6), ungodly persons (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 765: ἀσεβήςἀσεβής, ἐς (σέβω to reverence); from Aeschylus and Thucydides down, the Sept. for רָשָׁע ; destitute of reverential awe toward God, contemning God, impious: Romans 4:5; Romans 5:6; 1 Timothy 1:9 (joined here with ἁμαρτωλός, as in 1 Peter 4:18); 2 Peter 2:5; 2 Peter 3:7; Jude 1:4, 15. Topical Lexicon Meaning and Theological ScopeThe term designates a person whose life is detached from reverence toward God, characterized not merely by passive neglect but by active disregard for His majesty, moral order, and covenant claims. It appears in contexts that either highlight the saving initiative of God toward such persons or warn of the inevitable judgment awaiting persistent irreverence. Occurrence in the Canonical Text – Patterns of Usage Nine occurrences fall into two broad strands: 1. Pauline usage (Romans 4:5; Romans 5:6) where the focus is salvific grace. This duality—grace for the ungodly and judgment upon the ungodly—reveals the fullness of the gospel message. Divine Grace and Justification (Romans 4:5; Romans 5:6) Paul’s argument centers on God’s gracious justification. “Christ died for the ungodly” (Romans 5:6). The term underscores the hopeless condition of humanity apart from grace, heightening the wonder of divine initiative. Justification is extended to those who are the very antithesis of piety, thereby magnifying faith as the sole instrument of reception (Romans 4:5). Warnings and Judgment (1 Timothy, 1 Peter, 2 Peter, Jude) 1 Timothy 1:9 lists the ungodly among those for whom the law is laid down, exposing sin and driving sinners to Christ. Peter and Jude draw on Old Testament exempla—Noah’s generation, Sodom and Gomorrah—to assure readers that God “condemned the cities… making them an example of what is coming on the ungodly” (2 Peter 2:6). Final cosmic judgment is likewise certain: “The present heavens and earth are reserved for fire… for the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly” (2 Peter 3:7). In 1 Peter 4:18 the term forms part of a Proverbs citation, contrasting the difficult path of the righteous with the doom of the ungodly. Ecclesial and Ethical Implications The term alerts believers to the presence of irreverence both outside and inside the visible church. Jude 1:4 warns of “ungodly ones” infiltrating the congregation, twisting grace into license. The church must therefore uphold sound doctrine, exercise discernment, and practice church discipline while continuing to proclaim mercy to any who repent. Historical Reception Early church fathers, the Reformers, and subsequent evangelical commentators consistently noted the balance between grace for the ungodly and punishment for persistent ungodliness. Augustine saw in Romans 4 the triumph of grace over moral incapacity, while John Calvin highlighted the certainty of judgment in 2 Peter and Jude as a sobering call to holiness. Ministry Applications • Evangelism: Romans 5:6 provides assurance that no sinner lies beyond the reach of Christ’s atoning death. The term thus functions as both a mirror and a warning—exposing human need, magnifying divine grace, and affirming the certain triumph of God’s holiness. Forms and Transliterations ασεβεί ασεβεις ασεβείς ἀσεβεῖς ασεβεσι ασεβέσι ἀσεβέσι ασεβεσιν ασεβέσιν ἀσεβέσιν ασεβέστατος ασεβη ασεβή ἀσεβῆ ασεβης ασεβής ἀσεβὴς ασεβούς ασεβων ασεβών ἀσεβῶν ψυχὴν asebe asebê asebē asebē̂ asebeis asebeîs asebes asebēs asebḕs asebesi asebési asebesin asebésin asebon asebôn asebōn asebō̂n psuchen psuchēn psychen psychēn psychḕnLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Romans 4:5 Adj-AMSGRK: δικαιοῦντα τὸν ἀσεβῆ λογίζεται ἡ NAS: in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith KJV: him that justifieth the ungodly, his INT: justifies the ungodly is reckoned the Romans 5:6 Adj-GMP 1 Timothy 1:9 Adj-DMP 1 Peter 4:18 Adj-NMS 2 Peter 2:5 Adj-GMP 2 Peter 2:6 Adj-DMP 2 Peter 3:7 Adj-GMP Jude 1:4 Adj-NMP Jude 1:15 Adj-NMP Strong's Greek 765 |
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