"to be uncompliant; to refuse belief, disbelieve, Jn. 3:36; to refuse belief and obedience, Rom. 10:21; 1 Pet. 3:20; to refuse conformity, Rom. 2:8"
Definition and meaning
to be uncompliant; to refuse belief, disbelieve, Jn. 3:36; to refuse belief and obedience, Rom. 10:21; 1 Pet. 3:20; to refuse conformity, Rom. 2:8
In the original Greek the word is written: ἀπειθέω
Historical context
John wrote for an audience familiar with both Jewish Scripture and Greek philosophy. The logos — the Word — was a term Greek philosophers used for the rational principle underlying the universe. John takes that concept and says: that logos became a person and lived among us. Crucifixion was the Roman execution method designed to maximize public humiliation, reserved for slaves and rebels.
The people who first heard this word were not reading a book — they were living through empires, oppression, exile, and covenant. Every word carried the weight of that reality. Understanding it changes how you read Scripture.
Scripture references
These are the most notable occurrences of apeitheo (G544) across the King James Bible.
He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.
But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles, and made their minds evil affected against the brethren.
But the Jews which believed not, moved with envy, took unto them certain lewd fellows of the baser sort, and gathered a company, and set all the city on an uproar, and assaulted the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people.
But when divers were hardened, and believed not, but spake evil of that way before the multitude, he departed from them, and separated the disciples, disputing daily in the school of one Tyrannus.
But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath,
But to Israel he saith, All day long I have stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people.
For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief:
Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy.
That I may be delivered from them that do not believe in Judaea; and that my service which I have for Jerusalem may be accepted of the saints;
And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not?
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Common questions
Strong's G544 (apeitheo) is a Greek word that means: to be uncompliant; to refuse belief, disbelieve, Jn. 3:36; to refuse belief and obedience, Rom. 10:21; 1 Pet. 3:20; to refuse conformity, Rom. 2:8 It appears 16 times in the King James Bible.
The word apeitheo (G544) appears 16 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G544 is apeitheo, a Greek word defined as: to be uncompliant; to refuse belief, disbelieve, Jn. 3:36; to refuse belief and obedience, Rom. 10:21; 1 Pet. 3:20; to refuse conformity, Rom. 2:8. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
apeitheo is a Greek word found in the New Testament.