ἀκατάπαυστος (akatapaustos)
akatapaustos
unceasing
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The adjective akatapaustos describes something that is unceasing or unable to be restrained. Formed from a negative prefix and a root meaning "to quiet" or "stop," it literally translates as "not being quieted." In the New Testament, this rare word appears only once, in 2 Peter 2:14, where it modifies the eyes of false teachers.
Here, the term paints a vivid picture of insatiable desire. These individuals are described as having eyes that never stop looking for sin, specifically adultery. The word suggests an active, relentless drive rather than mere passive existence; their longing is not easily satisfied or silenced by moral restraint. Translators typically render this as "unceasing" to capture the continuous nature of their greed and lust.
This usage highlights a theological contrast between spiritual rest and restless ambition. While believers are called to find peace in God, the text portrays these figures as perpetually agitated by their cravings. The word serves as a sharp critique of character, emphasizing that their inner turmoil manifests in an outward, unending pursuit of wrong.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word akatapaustos appears only once in the New Testament, describing eyes that are unceasing or unable to be quieted. In 2 Peter 2:14, it paints a vivid picture of false teachers whose desires are insatiable and relentless. Their longing is not easily satisfied by moral restraint, but rather driven by an active, restless ambition for sin.
For your faith, this rare term offers a sharp contrast between spiritual rest and restless greed. While believers are called to find peace in God, the text warns against the inner turmoil that manifests as an unending pursuit of wrong. It reminds us that true contentment comes from aligning our hearts with divine purpose rather than chasing fleeting cravings.
Reflecting on this word can help you examine your own desires. Are there areas where your heart feels perpetually agitated by external things? The invitation is to seek a deeper, lasting peace in Christ, who satisfies the soul’s true needs and quiets the restless spirit.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- unceasing1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἀκαταπαύστους1×
Key Verses
-
II Peter 2:14
having eyes full of adultery, and who can’t cease from sin, enticing unsettled souls, having a heart trained in greed, accursed children!
This verse uniquely uses akatapaustos to describe the unceasing, insatiable nature of false teachers' sinful desires, contrasting their restless greed with spiritual peace.