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ἀπειθής

apeithḗs

G545 substantive adjective

SILEX Entry

Definition

Unpersuadable, not subject to persuasion or conviction; characteristically refusing to be convinced or to comply. By extension, one who is disobedient or resistant, especially to authority, instruction, or moral direction. In particular contexts, denotes a habitual refusal to listen or comply rather than a single act of disobedience.

Semantic Range

unpersuadable, not compliant, obstinately disobedient, rebellious, resistant to authority, habitually refusing to be convinced or comply

Root / Etymology

From the privative prefix ἀ- (a-, 'not') and the verb πείθω (peithō, 'to persuade, to convince'). The formation denotes the state or quality of not being persuaded.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, ἀπειθής described one who could not be persuaded, was resistant to authority, law, or advice, and at times implied stubbornness or obstinacy. In Hellenistic and Koine usage, such as in the Septuagint and the New Testament, it took on the nuance of one who is persistently disobedient or unwilling to comply, often in the context of relationship to God, ethical norms, or communal discipline. In biblical usage, as in Romans 1:30; 2 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:16, ἀπειθής typically refers to a person or persons marked by an attitude of disregard or rebellion against prescribed authority or divine instruction, more than simply failing to obey an individual command. Standard English translations render as 'disobedient' or 'contumacious,' but this may obscure the core sense of habitual unwillingness to be persuaded or submit. Not to be confused with παρακούω ('to not listen, disobey') or ἀνυπότακτος ('insubordinate'), which respectively emphasize inattentiveness and insubordination rather than lack of persuasion. The term is conceptually related to ἀπίθεια ('disobedience, obstinacy') and πειθαρχέω ('to obey, to be compliant'). Usage in the LXX occasionally reflects the Hebrew סָרַר (sarár, 'to be stubborn, rebellious'). The term does not presuppose a particular ethnicity, identity, or scope—its focus is on the willful and persistent rejection of persuasion or rightful authority.

Translation Consistency

primary "disobedient" 6 occurrences

ʻDisobedientʼ most naturally and commonly captures the SILEX range (habitual refusal to comply, resistance to authority/instruction). It is the predominant rendering in the attested occurrences and fits both substantive and adjectival uses better than the rarer, more awkward alternative ʻunpersuadable.ʼ Using ʻdisobedientʼ gives a single, natural English word that can be applied consistently to all forms of G545.

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from Α (as a negative particle) and πείθω; unpersuadable, i.e. contumacious:--disobedient.

Root Family

ἀπειθής (apeithēs) — not persuaded, unpersuadable, resistant, disobedient

Root πειθ- to persuade, to convince, to trust

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G545-01 ἀπειθεῖς apeitheis ADJ.S ACC M PL disobedient unpersuadable ones the disobedient ones 5
G545-02 ἀπειθὴς apeithes ADJ.P NOM M SG disobedient an unpersuadable man disobedient 1

Occurrences in Scripture

6 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G545-01 Luke 1:17 ἀπειθεῖς apeitheis ADJ.S ACC M PL and unpersuadable ones the disobedient ones
G545-02 Acts 26:19 ἀπειθὴς apeithes ADJ.P NOM M SG disobedient an unpersuadable man disobedient
G545-01 Romans 1:30 ἀπειθεῖς apeitheis ADJ.S ACC M PL disobedient unpersuadable ones the disobedient ones
G545-01 2 Timothy 3:2 ἀπειθεῖς apeitheis ADJ.S NOM M PL disobedient unpersuadable ones the disobedient ones
G545-01 Titus 1:16 ἀπειθεῖς apeitheis ADJ.S NOM M PL disobedient unpersuadable ones the disobedient ones
G545-01 Titus 3:3 ἀπειθεῖς apeitheis ADJ.S NOM M PL disobedient unpersuadable ones the disobedient ones
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