Unbelief(disbelief)
Summary
The willful refusal to believe or accept divine testimony, particularly concerning God's promises and the person of Christ, which Scripture presents as the root of all sin.
☩Definition and Nature
Unbelief is the withholding of due belief or the refusal to accept testimony. In Scripture, two Greek words are used: apeitheia, meaning 'disobedience,' and apistia, meaning 'distrust.' These are etymologically akin and run into one another in spiritual relations, for when God has spoken, distrust involves an element of disobedience to His supreme claim to be trusted. Unbelief includes disaffection to God, disregard for His word, prejudices against the Redeemer, and preferring the applause of men to the approval of God.
☩Causes and Consequences
The causes of unbelief include Satan's influence, ignorance, pride, and sensuality. Scripture traces unbelief to moral rather than intellectual sources: hardening of the heart, blindness caused by the god of this world, and corrupt hearts that believe lies. The danger of unbelief is grave—it hardens the heart, fills with presumption, creates impatience, deceives with error, and finally exposes to condemnation. As the Apostle Paul writes, those who do not obey the gospel shall be judged.
☩The Unbelief of the Jews
One of the great problems of the Apostolic Age was accounting for the unbelief of the Jews, who not only brought Jesus to the cross but also rejected the gospel preached by the apostles. Paul addressed this in Romans, explaining that God's promises did not depend on human faithfulness, that a remnant always believed, and that through Jewish unbelief salvation came to the Gentiles. The Epistle to the Hebrews presents unbelief as the reason Israel failed to enter God's rest, leaving that promise still open for those who believe.
☩Unbelief in the Gospels
The Gospels illustrate various forms of unbelief. Jesus marveled at the unbelief of His own townspeople at Nazareth, whose prejudice prevented them from receiving His teaching. There was the unbelief of incredulity among the disciples, who initially could not grasp the resurrection. There was also the deliberate unbelief of the Pharisees who, in the face of manifest goodness, attributed Christ's works to demonic power—a far more serious spiritual condition.
Related Verses130 mentions
See Also
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Unbelief," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. X (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Unbelief," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. V (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 3.James Hastings (ed.), "Unbelief," in Dictionary of the Apostolic Church, vol. II (T. & T. Clark, 1915–1918).
- 4.James Hastings (ed.), "Unbelief," in Dictionary of Christ and the Gospels, vol. II (T. & T. Clark, 1906–1908).