ἀθετέω (atheteō)
atheteō
to reject
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 12 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb atheteō carries the force of setting aside or nullifying something established. It describes the act of rejecting a command, law, or covenant as if it never existed. In the New Testament, this rejection is often active and decisive, whether by individuals ignoring Jesus’ teachings (Mark 7:9) or by communities disregarding apostolic instruction (1 Thessalonians 4:8).
Its etymology highlights its negative weight: derived from a prefix meaning "without" and a root related to "placing," it literally means to make something invalid. This legalistic nuance appears in Hebrews 10:28, where violating the law of Moses is described as treating it as null and void. The word implies that what was once binding has been deliberately rendered ineffective.
Translators typically use "reject," "set aside," or "nullify" depending on context. In Luke 7:30, the Pharisees are said to have rejected God’s purpose for themselves, showing that atheteō can apply to spiritual attitudes as well as legal statutes. The term underscores the seriousness of disregarding divine authority.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word atheteō describes a decisive act of setting aside what has been established. It is not merely ignoring something, but actively treating it as if it never existed or held no authority. In the New Testament, this term often carries a heavy weight, describing how people nullify God’s commands or reject His grace. It reminds us that our response to divine instruction is serious business.
For your faith, this word highlights the importance of holding fast to what God has spoken. When we dismiss His guidance or treat His covenant lightly, we are essentially rejecting the authority behind it. Yet, there is good news: Paul declares in Galatians that he does not reject God’s grace. This means that even when we struggle with obedience, God’s offer of salvation remains valid and powerful, waiting for us to receive it rather than set it aside.
Let this truth encourage you today. Instead of dismissing the counsel of God or ignoring His Spirit, invite Him into your daily decisions. His word is not a burden to be discarded, but a gift to be embraced. May you find peace in knowing that His grace is sufficient for every season of your life.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 12 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- rejecting3×
- to refuse1×
- they set aside,1×
- they have cast off;1×
- sets aside1×
- rejects;1×
- rejecting [this]1×
- rejected1×
- he rejects1×
- do you set aside1×
- disregards1×
- I will frustrate.1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἀθετῶν4×
- ἀθετεῖ3×
- ἠθέτησαν·1×
- ἠθέτησαν1×
- ἀθετῶ1×
- ἀθετῆσαι1×
- ἀθετήσω.1×
- ἀθετήσας1×
- ἀθετοῦσιν,1×
- ἀθετεῖτε1×
- ἀθετεῖ·1×
Key Verses
-
Mark 7:9
He said to them, “Full well do you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition.
This verse shows the word applied to prioritizing human tradition over God’s direct commandment, illustrating how easily religious practices can nullify divine authority.
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Galatians 2:21
I don’t reject the grace of God. For if righteousness is through the law, then Christ died for nothing!”
Paul uses this term to affirm that relying on the law for righteousness would effectively nullify the purpose of Christ’s death, highlighting the exclusivity of grace.
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I Thessalonians 4:8
Therefore he who rejects this doesn’t reject man, but God, who has also given his Holy Spirit to you.
Here, rejecting apostolic instruction is equated with rejecting God Himself, emphasizing that divine authority is communicated through His appointed messengers.
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Luke 7:30
But the Pharisees and the lawyers rejected the counsel of God, not being baptized by him themselves.
The Pharisees are described as rejecting God’s counsel for themselves by refusing baptism, showing how spiritual attitudes can lead to self-imposed exclusion from God’s purpose.