ἀπειθής (G0545) — disobedient, unpersuadable¶
Part of the 2 Timothy 3:1–5 Vice List study
Contents¶
- Overview
- Etymology and Semantic Range
- OT / LXX Background
- NT Distribution
- Theological Note
- NT Occurrences
Overview¶
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Strong's | G0545 |
| Greek | ἀπειθής |
| Transliteration | apeithes |
| Gloss | disobedient, unpersuadable |
| 2 Tim 3 verse | 3:2 |
| KJV rendering | "disobedient to parents" |
| NT occurrences | 6 (5 books) |
| LXX occurrences (canonical) | 0 |
Etymology and Semantic Range¶
Alpha-privative + πείθομαι (to be persuaded, to obey). Denotes someone who refuses to be persuaded — resistant to both argument and authority.
Six NT occurrences across five books — the most widely distributed alpha-privative in the list. Appears in Rom 1:30 (same vice catalogue), Tit 1:16 and 3:3, Luk 1:17 (John to turn the disobedient to the wisdom of the just), and Act 26:19. No LXX occurrences.
OT / LXX Background¶
Corresponds to Hebrew מֶרִי (rebellion, defiance; Num 17:25; Isa 30:9) and סָרַר (stubborn, rebellious; Deu 21:18,20 of the rebellious son — the exact context of the "disobedient to parents" charge).
NT Distribution¶
Theological Note¶
The phrase "disobedient to parents" (γονεῦσιν ἀπειθεῖς) echoes the fifth commandment and Deu 21:18-21. Disobedience to parents was a capital offence in the Mosaic law; Paul treats it as a mark of the last-days moral collapse.
NT Occurrences¶
| Reference | Greek form | KJV text |
|---|---|---|
| Luk 1:17 | ἀπειθεῖς | And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children… |
| Act 26:19 | ἀπειθὴς | Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision: |
| Rom 1:30 | ἀπειθεῖς, | Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, |
| 2Ti 3:2 | ἀπειθεῖς, | For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, u… |
| Tit 1:16 | ἀπειθεῖς | They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every… |
| Tit 3:3 | ἀπειθεῖς, | For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, livin… |