The term "unfaithfully" in the biblical context refers to actions or attitudes that betray trust, violate covenants, or deviate from the faithfulness expected by God. It is often associated with idolatry, adultery, and other forms of spiritual or moral infidelity. The Bible frequently addresses the concept of unfaithfulness, highlighting its consequences and urging believers to remain steadfast in their commitment to God.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, unfaithfulness is often depicted in the context of Israel's relationship with God. The Israelites are frequently described as acting unfaithfully by turning to other gods and breaking the covenant established with Yahweh. For instance, in the book of Judges, the Israelites repeatedly fall into cycles of unfaithfulness, leading to oppression by surrounding nations. Judges 2:17 states, "Yet they would not listen to their judges, but prostituted themselves to other gods and worshiped them. They quickly turned from the way of their fathers, who had walked in obedience to the LORD’s commands."

The prophets also address the theme of unfaithfulness, using vivid imagery to describe Israel's spiritual adultery. Hosea, for example, is commanded to marry an unfaithful woman as a symbol of Israel's unfaithfulness to God. Hosea 1:2 says, "When the LORD first spoke through Hosea, He said to him, 'Go, take for yourself a wife of prostitution and children of unfaithfulness, because the land is committing blatant acts of prostitution by forsaking the LORD.'"

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, unfaithfulness is addressed in both personal and communal contexts. Jesus warns against unfaithfulness in relationships, emphasizing the sanctity of marriage. In Matthew 19:9 , Jesus states, "Now I tell you that whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another woman, commits adultery."

The apostle Paul also speaks to the issue of unfaithfulness, particularly in the context of the church. In 1 Corinthians 4:2 , he writes, "Now it is required of stewards that they be found faithful." This underscores the expectation that believers remain faithful in their service to God and to one another.

Spiritual Implications

Unfaithfulness is not only a breach of human relationships but also a spiritual failing that affects one's relationship with God. The Bible consistently calls believers to faithfulness, reflecting God's own faithfulness to His people. In 1 John 1:9 , the promise of forgiveness is extended to those who confess their sins: "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

Consequences of Unfaithfulness

The consequences of unfaithfulness are severe, both in temporal and spiritual terms. In the Old Testament, Israel's unfaithfulness often leads to divine judgment and exile. In the New Testament, unfaithfulness can result in broken relationships and spiritual alienation. Revelation 2:10 warns, "Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Look, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison to test you, and you will suffer tribulation for ten days. Be faithful even unto death, and I will give you the crown of life."

Call to Faithfulness

Despite the prevalence of unfaithfulness, the Bible offers hope and redemption through repentance and a return to faithfulness. Believers are encouraged to emulate God's faithfulness and to rely on His strength to remain steadfast. Hebrews 10:23 exhorts, "Let us hold resolutely to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful."

In summary, the concept of unfaithfulness in the Bible serves as a warning and a call to repentance, urging believers to maintain their covenant relationship with God and to live in accordance with His commands.4603. maal -- to act unfaithfully or treacherously
... maal. 4604 . to act unfaithfully or treacherously. Transliteration: maal Phonetic
Spelling: (maw-al') Short Definition: committed. Word Origin a prim. ...
/hebrew/4603.htm - 6k

4604. maal -- an unfaithful or treacherous act
... 4603, 4604. maal. 4605 . an unfaithful or treacherous act. Transliteration:
maal Phonetic Spelling: (mah'-al) Short Definition: unfaithfully. ...
/hebrew/4604.htm - 6k

898. bagad -- to act or deal treacherously
... deal deceitfully, treacherously, unfaithfully, offend, transgressor, depart.
A primitive root; to cover (with a garment); figuratively ...
/hebrew/898.htm - 6k

The Gains of the Faithful Steward
... proceeds of an unsavoury tax. But the money unfaithfully won does stink
when it is thrown into God's treasury. 'The price of a dog ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/the gains of the faithful.htm

How You Should Teach the Uneducated to Confess
... sin. I specifically admit to you that I am a servant, maid, etc., but
I'm afraid that I have served my master unfaithfully. >From ...
/.../luther/the small catechism of martin luther/v how you should teach.htm

A Preliminary Discourse to Catechising
... gospel, which will not go unpunished. Psalm 78:87, 59. They turned back,
and dealt unfaithfully. When God heard this, he was wroth ...
/.../watson/a body of divinity/1 a preliminary discourse to.htm

Sermons on the Card.
... Yes, truly: the said captain cannot deny himself but that he had true justice,
considering how unfaithfully he behaved him to his prince, contrary to his own ...
/.../latimer/sermons on the card and other discourses/sermons on the card.htm

Psalm 78
... did not incline their will: ^57But, like their fathers, turned back,. and dealt
unfaithfully: Aside they turned, like a bow. that shoots deceitfully. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/anonymous/scottish psalter and paraphrases/psalm 78.htm

Lenten Thoughts
... yourself, to remember that you are an immortal being, and that you have a Saviour
in heaven, whom you are serving faithfully, or unfaithfully,"if this work ...
/.../kingsley/twenty-five village sermons/sermon xxiii lenten thoughts.htm

Josiah
... Not an example to be imitated, and the sure way to lead subordinates sooner or later
to deal unfaithfully; but a pleasant indication of the spirit animating ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/josiah.htm

part ii
... lives; and long he abode, not long he lived.' Will it not comfort us more at death,
to review a short time faithfully spent, than a long life spent unfaithfully ...
//christianbookshelf.org/baxter/the reformed pastor/part ii.htm

The Nature of Heavenly Contemplation; with the Time, Place, and ...
... in them that come nigh him." These spiritual, excellent, soul-raising duties, are,
if well used, most profitable; but, when used unfaithfully, most dangerous. ...
/.../baxter/the saints everlasting rest/chapter xiii the nature of.htm

Luther's Small Catechism. AD 1529.
... a man-servant, maid-servant, etc.; but, alas ! I serve my master unfaithfully,
for I. was sie mich hie??en; habe sie erz?�rnt und ...
/.../luthers small catechism a d 1529.htm

Unfaithfully (19 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Unfaithfully (19 Occurrences). Exodus 21:8 If she
is unacceptable in the eyes of her master, who had taken ...
/u/unfaithfully.htm - 12k

Unfaithful (58 Occurrences)
... Numbers 5:27 And when he hath made her drink the water, then it shall come to pass,
if she be defiled, and have acted unfaithfully against her husband, that ...
/u/unfaithful.htm - 23k

Unfaithfulness (27 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 39:26 and they shall bear their confusion, and all their unfaithfulness
in which they have acted unfaithfully against me, when they shall dwell safely ...
/u/unfaithfulness.htm - 15k

Unacceptable (1 Occurrence)
... who had taken her for himself, then shall he let her be ransomed: to sell her unto
a foreign people he hath no power, after having dealt unfaithfully with her. ...
/u/unacceptable.htm - 7k

Wronged (22 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 6:2 If any one sin and act unfaithfully against Jehovah, and lie to his
neighbour as to an entrusted thing or a deposit or that in which he hath ...
/w/wronged.htm - 13k

Inadvertence (13 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 5:15 If any one act unfaithfully and sin through inadvertence in the holy
things of Jehovah, then he shall bring his trespass-offering to Jehovah, a ...
/i/inadvertence.htm - 11k

Robbed (27 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 6:2 If any one sin and act unfaithfully against Jehovah, and lie to his
neighbour as to an entrusted thing or a deposit or that in which he hath ...
/r/robbed.htm - 14k

Ransomed (27 Occurrences)
... who had taken her for himself, then shall he let her be ransomed: to sell her unto
a foreign people he hath no power, after having dealt unfaithfully with her. ...
/r/ransomed.htm - 15k

Acted (98 Occurrences)
... Ezra 10:10 And Ezra the priest stood up and said to them, Ye have acted unfaithfully,
and have taken foreign wives, to increase the trespass of Israel. (DBY). ...
/a/acted.htm - 37k

Entrusted (55 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 6:2 If any one sin and act unfaithfully against Jehovah, and lie to his
neighbour as to an entrusted thing or a deposit or that in which he hath ...
/e/entrusted.htm - 23k

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