GospelMount
Search Topics Scripture Prayer Resources Ebooks About Support the mission Saved articles

ἀμετανόητος (ametanoētos)

ametanoētos

unrepentant

G0279 · Greek · New Testament · 1 verses

Quick Reference

Language
Koine Greek
Testament
New Testament
Occurrences
1 verses
Root
—

Word Overview

The adjective ametanoeōtos describes a state of being unrepentant or impenitent. It combines a negative prefix with a root related to changing one’s mind, creating a term for someone who refuses to shift their perspective or attitude despite evidence or conviction.

This word appears only once in the New Testament, in Romans 2:5. Paul uses it to characterize those who store up wrath for themselves by remaining stubbornly hard-hearted rather than responding to God’s kindness with a change of direction. The term emphasizes a fixed refusal to repent, highlighting the seriousness of persistent resistance to divine grace.

Its construction underscores the active nature of this hardness. It is not merely a lack of repentance but a deliberate stance against it. This single usage in Romans provides a stark warning about the consequences of ignoring opportunities for spiritual change.

Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).

What This Word Means for Your Faith

The word ametanētos describes a heart that remains unchanged despite clear evidence or conviction. In Romans 2:5, Paul uses it to warn against storing up wrath by refusing to turn back to God. This is not just a lack of change, but an active resistance to the kindness meant to lead us to repentance.

God’s patience is not permission to ignore His call. When we harden our hearts, we separate ourselves from the grace that offers forgiveness. The invitation remains open: respond to His goodness with a changed mind and heart, rather than clinging to stubbornness.

How it's translated

How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.

  • unrepentant1×

Forms in the text

The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.

  • ἀμετανόητον1×

Key Verses

  • Romans 2:5
    But according to your hardness and unrepentant heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath, revelation, and of the righteous judgment of God,

    This verse uses ametanētos to describe the active storage of wrath through a hardened refusal to respond to God's kindness.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does ametanētos mean in the Bible?

Ametanētos is a Greek adjective meaning 'unrepentant' or 'impenitent.' It combines a negative prefix with a root related to changing one’s mind, describing someone who refuses to shift their attitude despite evidence or conviction.

Where does the word ametanētos appear?

It appears only once in the New Testament, in Romans 2:5. Paul uses it to characterize those who remain stubbornly hard-hearted and store up wrath for themselves by ignoring God’s kindness.

How is ametanētos different from simply not knowing God?

Ametanētos implies a deliberate refusal to change, not just ignorance. It describes an active resistance to divine grace and a conscious decision to remain in a state of hardness despite opportunities for repentance.

Every Occurrence (1 verses across 1 books)

Romans 1 verse
Romans 2:5

But according to your hardness and unrepentant heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath,…