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ἀπειθέω

apeithéō

G544 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

to refuse to be persuaded, to be uncompliant or disobedient; the primary sense is to resist conviction or persuasion, often in reference to hearing and rejecting instruction or authority. In a broader sense, can denote willful refusal to be convinced by a message, order, or command.

Semantic Range

to refuse to be persuaded, to disobey, to be uncompliant, to resist instruction, to refuse to accept authority, to oppose a message or summons, to be obstinate, to reject belief or conviction

Root / Etymology

Compound from ἀ- (a-, not) and πείθω (peithō, to persuade), via the adjective ἀπειθής (apeithēs, unpersuadable, disobedient); thus, literally, 'to be unpersuaded,' 'to refuse persuasion.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, ἀπειθέω primarily means 'to refuse to obey,' or 'to be disobedient,' without necessary reference to belief or conviction. In the Hellenistic and Koine periods, especially in the Septuagint and New Testament, ἀπειθέω is frequently used to describe not only outward disobedience but also an inner resistance or refusal to accept a message (especially divine instruction or authority). In the New Testament, it often carries a nuance of willful refusal or obstinate rejection, particularly in the context of divine summons or proclamation. Standard English translations sometimes render the term as 'disobey' or 'refuse to believe,' but neither fully captures the interplay of persuasion, authority, and willful resistance inherent in the Koine usage. There is an overlap with the term ἀπιστέω (to be faithless, to disbelieve), but ἀπειθέω retains a stronger sense of willful or active resistance to persuasion or obedience, rather than mere lack of belief. The noun form ἀπείθεια (disobedience, rebelliousness) is related. The sense of the term in Second Temple and early Christian texts can apply to both religious and secular contexts, wherever a summons or command is refused, and is not limited to mere disbelief.

Translation Consistency

primary "refuse" 12 occurrences

ἀπειθέω primarily means to reject persuasion or instruction—to willfully refuse to accept a message or obey authority. "Refuse" is a natural, versatile English verb that covers both refusing persuasion/belief and refusing to obey, matching the typical usage across the semantic range.

Alternatives (2 occurrences):
"disobedient" (1x) "disobey" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from ἀπειθής; to disbelieve (wilfully and perversely):--not believe, disobedient, obey not, unbelieving.

Root Family

ἀπειθέω (apeitheō) — to refuse persuasion, to disobey, to resist conviction, to reject belief

Root πειθ- to persuade, to trust, to be convinced

Word Forms

11 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G544-02 ἀπειθήσασιν apeithesasin V AOR ACT PTCP DAT M PL who disobeyed to those having refused persuasion to those having refused persuasion 3
G544-06 ἀπειθούντων apeithounton V PRS ACT PTCP GEN M PL disobedient of those refusing persuasion of those refusing persuasion 2
G544-07 ἀπειθοῦσι apeithousi V PRS ACT PTCP DAT M PL disobeying to the ones refusing persuasion to the ones refusing persuasion 1
G544-03 ἀπειθῶν apeithon V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M SG disobeying refusing to be persuaded refusing to be persuaded 1
G544-09 ἠπείθησαν epeithesan V AOR ACT IND 3P PL have disbelieved they refused to be persuaded they refused to be persuaded 1
G544-05 ἀπειθοῦντες apeithountes V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M PL disobedient ones refusing persuasion refusing persuasion 1
G544-10 ἠπειθήσατε epeithesate V AOR ACT IND 2P PL were disobedient you refused to be persuaded you refused to be persuaded 1
G544-01 ἀπειθήσαντες apeithesantes V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M PL who disbelieved having refused persuasion having refused persuasion 1
G544-11 ἠπείθουν epeithoun V IMPF ACT IND 3P PL disobeyed they were refusing persuasion they were refusing persuasion 1
G544-08 ἀπειθοῦσιν apeithousin V PRS ACT IND 3P PL disobey they refuse persuasion disobey 1

Occurrences in Scripture

14 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G544-03 John 3:36 ἀπειθῶν apeithon V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M SG disobeying refusing to be persuaded refusing to be persuaded
G544-01 Acts 14:2 ἀπειθήσαντες apeithesantes V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M PL who disbelieved having refused persuasion having refused persuasion
G544-11 Acts 19:9 ἠπείθουν epeithoun V IMPF ACT IND 3P PL disobeyed they were refusing persuasion they were refusing persuasion
G544-07 Romans 2:8 ἀπειθοῦσι apeithousi V PRS ACT PTCP DAT M PL disobeying to the ones refusing persuasion to the ones refusing persuasion
G544-04 Romans 10:21 ἀπειθοῦντα apeithounta V PRS ACT PTCP ACC M SG disobedient refusing to be persuaded disobedient
G544-10 Romans 11:30 ἠπειθήσατε epeithesate V AOR ACT IND 2P PL were disobedient you refused to be persuaded you refused to be persuaded
G544-09 Romans 11:31 ἠπείθησαν epeithesan V AOR ACT IND 3P PL have disbelieved they refused to be persuaded they refused to be persuaded
G544-06 Romans 15:31 ἀπειθούντων apeithounton V PRS ACT PTCP GEN M PL disobedient of those refusing persuasion of those refusing persuasion
G544-02 Hebrews 3:18 ἀπειθήσασιν apeithesasin V AOR ACT PTCP DAT M PL who disobeyed to those having refused persuasion to those having refused persuasion
G544-02 Hebrews 11:31 ἀπειθήσασιν apeithesasin V AOR ACT PTCP DAT M PL disobedient to those having refused persuasion to those having refused persuasion
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