The term "unlawfully" refers to actions or behaviors that are contrary to the laws, commands, or statutes as outlined in the Bible. In a biblical context, acting unlawfully is synonymous with sinning, as it involves transgressing the divine law established by God. The Bible provides numerous examples and teachings regarding unlawful actions, emphasizing the importance of obedience to God's commandments.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, the concept of unlawfulness is closely tied to the Mosaic Law, which was given to the Israelites as a covenant between them and God. The Law, encompassing moral, ceremonial, and civil aspects, was intended to guide the Israelites in righteous living. Unlawful actions, therefore, were those that violated these divine instructions.

One of the most prominent examples of unlawfulness in the Old Testament is the worship of idols, which directly contravenes the First Commandment. In Exodus 20:3-4 , God commands, "You shall have no other gods before Me. You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in the heavens above or on the earth below or in the waters beneath." The Israelites' repeated lapses into idolatry, as seen in instances like the golden calf (Exodus 32), are clear examples of acting unlawfully.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the concept of unlawfulness is expanded to include not only the letter of the law but also the spirit of the law. Jesus Christ emphasized the importance of internal righteousness over mere external compliance. In Matthew 5:21-22 , Jesus teaches, "You have heard that it was said to the ancients, ‘Do not murder,’ and ‘Anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment." Here, Jesus highlights that unlawfulness begins in the heart, not just in actions.

The Apostle Paul also addresses unlawfulness in his epistles, particularly in relation to the law of grace. In Romans 6:15 , Paul writes, "What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law, but under grace? Certainly not!" Paul underscores that grace does not permit unlawful behavior; rather, it empowers believers to live in accordance with God's will.

Consequences of Unlawfulness

The Bible consistently warns of the consequences of acting unlawfully. In the Old Testament, the Israelites faced various punishments, including exile and defeat, as a result of their disobedience. In Deuteronomy 28, a chapter often referred to as the "Blessings and Curses," God outlines the blessings for obedience and the curses for disobedience, illustrating the serious repercussions of unlawfulness.

In the New Testament, the consequences of unlawfulness are framed in terms of spiritual death and separation from God. Romans 6:23 states, "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." This verse highlights the ultimate consequence of living unlawfully—eternal separation from God—while also pointing to the hope of redemption through Jesus Christ.

Redemption and Restoration

Despite the grave consequences of unlawfulness, the Bible offers a message of hope and redemption. Through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ, individuals can be restored to a right relationship with God. 1 John 1:9 assures believers, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." This promise underscores the transformative power of God's grace and the possibility of living lawfully through the Holy Spirit's guidance.

In summary, acting unlawfully in a biblical sense involves violating God's commands, whether through actions, thoughts, or attitudes. The Bible provides clear teachings on the nature of unlawfulness, its consequences, and the path to redemption through Jesus Christ.4811. sukophanteo -- to accuse falsely
... of the law forbidding the exportation of figs from Greece), "sycophant", ie (genitive
and by extension) to defraud (exact unlawfully, extort) -- accuse falsely ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4811.htm - 7k

Whether Restitution must Always be Made to the Person from whom a ...
... Objection 2: Further, if a man has given a thing unlawfully, he does not
deserve to recover it. Now sometimes a man gives unlawfully ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether restitution must always be.htm

Crescens of Cirta Said: "The Letters of Our Most Beloved Cyprian ...
... Why then could they not also transmit outside the Church what they were able to
possess outside? Is it that outside it is unlawfully transmitted? ...
/.../chapter 15 24 crescens.htm

Whether it is Lawful for a Man to Possess a Thing as his Own?
... Reply to Objection 2: A man would not act unlawfully if by going beforehand to the
play he prepared the way for others: but he acts unlawfully if by so doing ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether it is lawful for 5.htm

An Ambiguous Passage of Scripture; not Only the Faithful but Even ...
... argument, which perhaps any one who addresses you as a very wise person will bring
forward: What do you say of those who are begotten unlawfully in adultery? ...
/.../chapter iii an ambiguous passage of.htm

Felix of Gurgites Said: "I Give My Judgment...
... Felix of Gurgites [1857] said: "I give my judgment, that, according to the precepts
of the holy Scriptures, those who have been unlawfully baptized outside the ...
/.../writings in connection with the donatist controversy /chapter 38 74 felix.htm

Whether an Oath Added to the Consent that is Expressed in Words of ...
... And so it is in the case in point; since he swears unlawfully who promises
unlawfully; and a promise about another's property is unlawful. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether an oath added to.htm

Whether Robbery May be Committed Without Sin?
... public authority: and, consequently, if a private individual not having public
authority takes another's property by violence, he acts unlawfully and commits a ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether robbery may be committed.htm

Whether Rape is a Species of Lust, Distinct from Seduction?
... sometimes seduction without rape. They coincide when a man employs force
in order unlawfully to violate a virgin. This force is ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether rape is a species.htm

Epistle Lxviii. To Eusebius of Thessalonica.
... against the peace of the Church, to the contempt and injury of all priests, exceeded
the bounds of modesty and of his own measure, and unlawfully usurped in ...
/.../the epistles of saint gregory the great/epistle lxviii to eusebius of.htm

The Lawful and Unlawful Use of Law.
... David ate it in hunger. If Abimelech had scrupled to give it, he would have used
the law unlawfully. ... The Pharisees used the law unlawfully, in forbidding that. ...
/.../robertson/sermons preached at brighton/xix the lawful and unlawful.htm

Unlawfully (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Unlawfully (1 Occurrence). Ezekiel 22:29 The people
of the land have used oppression, and exercised robbery ...
/u/unlawfully.htm - 6k

Covet (14 Occurrences)
... 2. (vt) To long for inordinately or unlawfully; to hanker after (something
forbidden). 3. (vi) To have or indulge inordinate desire. Int. ...
/c/covet.htm - 12k

Unlawful (9 Occurrences)

/u/unlawful.htm - 9k

Unlawlessness (1 Occurrence)

/u/unlawlessness.htm - 6k

Illegitimate (4 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Unlawfully begotten; as, an illegitimate
child or illegitimate gains. 2. (a.) Not according to ...
/i/illegitimate.htm - 8k

Trespass (101 Occurrences)
... 1. (vi) To pass beyond a limit or boundary; hence, to depart; to go. 2. (vi) To
commit a trespass; esp., to enter unlawfully upon the land of another. ...
/t/trespass.htm - 44k

Murder (41 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) To kill with premeditated malice; to kill (a human being) willfully,
deliberately, and unlawfully. See Murder. 3. (n.) To destroy; to put an end to. ...
/m/murder.htm - 24k

Murderer (17 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) One guilty of murder; a person who, in possession
of his reason, unlawfully kills a human being with premeditated malice. ...
/m/murderer.htm - 12k

Partridge (2 Occurrences)
... Hist.). In Jeremiah 17:11 the prophet is illustrating the fact that riches
unlawfully acquired are precarious and short-lived. The ...
/p/partridge.htm - 13k

Agag (6 Occurrences)
... (2.) Another king of the Amalekites whom Saul spared unlawfully, but whom Samuel
on his arrival in the camp of Saul ordered, in retributive justice (Judges 1 ...
/a/agag.htm - 10k

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