"unlawful, criminal, wicked, Acts 10:28; 1 Pet. 4:3*"
Definition and meaning
unlawful, criminal, wicked, Acts 10:28; 1 Pet. 4:3*
In the original Greek the word is written: ἀθέμιτος
Historical context
The Roman Empire provided infrastructure no previous civilization had built — roads, sea routes, a common language in Greek, and relative peace across the Mediterranean. Jewish synagogues existed in every major city, giving Paul a starting point everywhere he traveled. The early church had no buildings, no political power, no social standing — and spread faster than any movement in ancient history.
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 athemitos (G111) across the King James Bible.
And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean.
For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries:
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Common questions
Strong's G111 (athemitos) is a Greek word that means: unlawful, criminal, wicked, Acts 10:28; 1 Pet. 4:3* It appears 2 times in the King James Bible.
The word athemitos (G111) appears 2 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G111 is athemitos, a Greek word defined as: unlawful, criminal, wicked, Acts 10:28; 1 Pet. 4:3*. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
athemitos is a Greek word found in the New Testament.