Topical Encyclopedia The term "faithless" in the Bible is often used to describe a lack of faith or trust in God, His promises, or His commandments. It is a condition of the heart that reflects unbelief, disobedience, or spiritual adultery. The concept of faithlessness is addressed throughout both the Old and New Testaments, highlighting the consequences of turning away from God and the importance of steadfast faith.Old Testament Context In the Old Testament, faithlessness is frequently associated with Israel's relationship with God. The Israelites are often depicted as a faithless people, despite God's continuous faithfulness and provision. In Jeremiah 3:20 , God laments, "But as a woman may betray her husband, so you have betrayed Me, O house of Israel," declares the LORD. This metaphor of spiritual adultery underscores the gravity of Israel's unfaithfulness. The book of Hosea also vividly portrays Israel's faithlessness through the prophet's marriage to an unfaithful wife, symbolizing Israel's infidelity to God. Hosea 4:12 states, "My people consult their wooden idols, and their divining rods inform them. For a spirit of prostitution leads them astray; they are unfaithful to their God." New Testament Context In the New Testament, faithlessness is addressed in the context of the early Christian community and individual believers. Jesus Himself rebukes faithlessness in His disciples. In Matthew 17:17 , Jesus says, "O unbelieving and perverse generation," Jesus replied, "How long must I remain with you? How long must I put up with you? Bring the boy here to Me." This rebuke highlights the expectation of faith and trust in God's power and presence. The Apostle Paul also addresses faithlessness in his epistles, urging believers to remain steadfast in their faith. In 2 Timothy 2:13 , Paul writes, "If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself." This passage emphasizes God's unwavering faithfulness, even when human faith falters. Consequences of Faithlessness The Bible consistently warns of the consequences of faithlessness. In the Old Testament, Israel's faithlessness often led to divine judgment, exile, and suffering. In the New Testament, faithlessness can result in spiritual stagnation and separation from the blessings of a close relationship with God. Hebrews 3:12 cautions, "See to it, brothers, that none of you has a wicked heart of unbelief that turns away from the living God." Call to Faithfulness Despite the warnings, the Bible also offers hope and a call to return to faithfulness. God continually invites His people to repent and renew their commitment to Him. In 1 John 1:9 , believers are assured, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." The call to faithfulness is a central theme in the Christian life, urging believers to trust in God's promises, remain obedient to His Word, and cultivate a deep, abiding relationship with Him. Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary 1. (a.) Not believing; not giving credit.2. (a.) Not believing on God or religion; specifically, not believing in the Christian religion. 3. (a.) Not observant of promises or covenants. 4. (a.) Not true to allegiance, duty, or vows; perfidious; treacherous; disloyal; not of true fidelity; inconstant, as a husband or a wife. 5. (a.) Serving to disappoint or deceive; delusive; unsatisfying. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia FAITHLESSfath'-les: The translation of apistos, "without faith," having the sense of "unbelieving," "disbelieving." Jesus upbraids the people, "O faithless and perverse generation!" (Matthew 17:17 Mark 9:19 Luke 9:41); He says to Thomas, "Be not faithless, but believing" (John 20:27); the Revised Version (British and American) adds, "If we are faithless," instead of "believe not" (2 Timothy 2:13); compare 1 Corinthians 7:12-15; 1 Corinthians 10:27; 1 Corinthians 14:22, 24, etc.; Titus 1:15. In Luke 12:46 apistos has the sense of "unfaithful," so the Revised Version (British and American); perhaps also Revelation 21:8, "unbelieving." Greek 569. apisteo -- to disbelieve, be faithless ... to disbelieve, be faithless. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: apisteo Phonetic Spelling: (ap-is-teh'-o) Short Definition: I am unfaithful, I disbelieve ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/569.htm - 8k 571. apistos -- incredible, unbelieving 1169. deilos -- cowardly, fearful Strong's Hebrew 7726. shobab -- turning back, recusant, apostate... 7725, 7726. shobab. 7727 . turning back, recusant, apostate. Transliteration: shobab Phonetic Spelling: (sho-bawb') Short Definition: faithless. ... /hebrew/7726.htm - 6k 4878. meshubah -- turning back, apostasy 7728. shobeb -- turning back, apostate 3586. kechash -- deceptive, false 2505b. chalaq -- to be smooth, slippery 898. bagad -- to act or deal treacherously Library Not Faithless, but Believing. Impossible that Marcion's Christ Should Reprove the Faithless ... Petilianus Said: "For He who Receives Faith from the Faithless... Petilianus Said: "For, Granting that You Faithless Ones are ... We Ask, Therefore, Since He Says, "He who Receives Faith from the ... Christ's Lament Over Our Faithlessness There is this Further, that in that Very Debt which Married ... The Cardinal was Seated, -- He Rose as Moretti Appeared. ... The Evidence of Our Lord's Wounds The Lord Our Shepherd Thesaurus Faithless (46 Occurrences)... 5. (a.) Serving to disappoint or deceive; delusive; unsatisfying. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. FAITHLESS. fath'-les: The translation ... /f/faithless.htm - 20k Hither (84 Occurrences) Suffer (195 Occurrences) Generation (150 Occurrences) None (573 Occurrences) Perverse (55 Occurrences) Shame (412 Occurrences) Stay (221 Occurrences) O (1414 Occurrences) Bear (425 Occurrences) Resources Did God divorce Israel? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is spiritual adultery? | GotQuestions.org Why does God hate divorce? | GotQuestions.org Faithless: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Faithless (46 Occurrences)Matthew 12:39 Matthew 16:4 Matthew 17:17 Mark 8:38 Mark 9:19 Luke 9:41 John 20:27 Romans 1:31 Romans 3:3 2 Timothy 2:13 Revelation 21:8 2 Chronicles 28:19 2 Chronicles 28:22 2 Chronicles 29:19 2 Chronicles 30:7 Psalms 73:15 Psalms 78:57 Psalms 101:3 Psalms 119:158 Proverbs 2:22 Proverbs 11:3 Proverbs 11:6 Proverbs 13:2 Proverbs 13:15 Proverbs 21:18 Proverbs 22:12 Proverbs 23:28 Proverbs 25:19 Jeremiah 3:6 Jeremiah 3:8 Jeremiah 3:11 Jeremiah 3:12 Jeremiah 3:14 Jeremiah 3:20 Jeremiah 3:22 Jeremiah 5:11 Jeremiah 12:1 Jeremiah 31:22 Jeremiah 49:4 Hosea 10:2 Zephaniah 3:4 Malachi 2:10 Malachi 2:11 Malachi 2:14 Malachi 2:15 Malachi 2:16 Subtopics Related Terms |