ἀπείθεια (apeitheia)
apeitheia
disobedience
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 7 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun apeitheia denotes a state of disobedience or unbelief, specifically characterized by an obstinate refusal to submit to divine authority. Its root lies in the verb apeithēō, meaning "to be disobedient" or "to refuse to listen." The lexica highlight that this is not merely passive failure but an active, stubborn opposition to God’s will.
Scripture uses this term to describe both human rebellion and its consequences. In Ephesians 2:2 and Colossians 3:6, it labels the former way of life for Gentiles, who are called "sons of disobedience." Romans 11:30-32 draws a parallel between Israel’s past unbelief and their current mercy, showing how God uses this stubbornness to bring about salvation for all.
The word carries significant theological weight in Hebrews 4, where it explains why the first generation failed to enter God’s rest. Their disobedience was rooted in a lack of faith, preventing them from trusting God’s promise. Translators often render it as "disobedience" or "unbelief," capturing the link between rejecting God’s word and acting against it.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word apeitheia describes more than a simple mistake; it points to a stubborn refusal to listen to God’s voice. In Ephesians 2:2, Paul calls former unbelievers "children of disobedience," highlighting how deeply this resistance can shape a person’s life. It is not just about breaking rules but about a heart that has turned away from trusting the One who made them.
Yet Scripture does not leave us in this state of rebellion. Romans 11:32 reminds us that God allowed all to experience disobedience so He could show mercy to everyone. This truth offers hope: no matter how far you have drifted or how hard your heart has become, God’s grace is larger than our resistance. His desire is not to condemn but to restore.
Hebrews 4:11 encourages us to strive for rest, learning from the mistakes of those who failed because they did not trust God’s promise. This word invites us to examine our own hearts, choosing instead to listen and obey. It is an invitation to lay down resistance and accept the peace that comes from surrendering to God’s loving authority.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 7 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- of disobedience.2×
- disobedience,2×
- of disobedience;1×
- of disobedience,1×
- disobedience1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἀπειθείας.2×
- ἀπείθειαν,1×
- ἀπείθειαν1×
- ἀπειθείᾳ,1×
- ἀπειθείας·1×
- ἀπειθείας,1×
Key Verses
-
Romans 11:32
For God has bound all to disobedience, that he might have mercy on all.
This verse reveals God's sovereign purpose in allowing disobedience, showing that His ultimate goal is mercy for all people.
-
Ephesians 2:2
in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the children of disobedience.
Here the term defines the spiritual condition of those who follow worldly patterns, illustrating the power of resistance against God's will.
-
Hebrews 4:11
Let’s therefore give diligence to enter into that rest, lest anyone fall after the same example of disobedience.
The author uses this word as a warning to believers, urging them to enter God's rest rather than repeating the failure of unbelief.