ἀθέμιτος (athemitos)
athemitos
unlawful
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The adjective athemitos describes something as unlawful or contrary to established law and justice. Derived from a negative prefix combined with a root meaning "statute" or "custom," it carries the weight of being prohibited by legal or social order. In the New Testament, this term appears only twice, yet it serves a sharp rhetorical purpose in both instances.
In Acts 10:28, Peter uses the word to explain why he entered the home of a Gentile, noting that Jewish law considered such association unlawful. Similarly, 1 Peter 4:3 contrasts Christian conduct with past behaviors that were "unlawful," linking them to other sinful practices. The term highlights actions that violate not just moral intuition but recognized legal or covenantal boundaries.
Its rarity in Scripture makes its usage significant. Rather than a general term for sin, it points specifically to acts that breach formal codes of conduct. Translators often render it as "unlawful" or "illegal," preserving the sense of crossing a defined line of authority. This precision helps readers understand the specific nature of the prohibitions addressed in these texts.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word athemitos points to actions that cross clear boundaries set by law or custom. In Acts 10:28, Peter uses it to describe the social and religious barriers between Jews and Gentiles. He acknowledges these rules were real, yet he also recognises a new reality where God breaks down those walls. This reminds us that while human traditions matter, they never supersede God’s direct leading.
In 1 Peter 4:3, the term helps contrast our past lives with our current walk in Christ. It highlights how former behaviors were not just morally wrong but violated the clear standards of God’s people. Understanding this distinction helps us appreciate the freedom we have now. We are no longer bound by old codes that kept us apart from one another or from God’s grace.
This word invites us to examine where we might be holding onto outdated restrictions. It also encourages us to respect the boundaries others hold dear, even as we embrace the unity Christ offers. Our focus shifts from legalistic fear to grateful obedience.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- unlawful1×
- in abominable1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἀθέμιτόν1×
- ἀθεμίτοις1×
Key Verses
-
Acts 10:28
He said to them, “You yourselves know how it is an unlawful thing for a man who is a Jew to join himself or come to one of another nation, but God has shown me that I shouldn’t call any man unholy or unclean.
Peter uses this term to acknowledge the validity of Jewish custom while simultaneously showing how God’s revelation supersedes it.