from Α (as a negative particle) and a derivative of (statute; from the base of τίθημι); illegal; by implication, flagitious:--abominable, unlawful thing.
### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek term ἀθέμιτος (athémitos, `{{G111}}`) is a compound word derived from the negative particle ἀ- (a-) and the root of θέμις (thémis), which signifies "that which is laid down," "custom," "divine law," or "right." The underlying verb is τίθημι (títhēmi, to place, set, ordain). Thus, ἀθέμιτος literally means "not according to what is laid down," "unlawful," "illicit," or "forbidden." Its semantic range extends beyond mere legal transgression to encompass actions or practices that are deeply contrary to established custom, divine ordinance, or moral propriety, often carrying the strong implication of being "abominable" or "flagitious" due to their inherent wrongness or impiety. It describes something that is an affront to an accepted order, whether human or divine.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word ἀθέμιτος appears exclusively twice in the New Testament, each instance offering unique contextual insights:
1. **[[Acts 10:28]]**: In this pivotal passage, Peter, having received a vision from God, addresses Cornelius and his household, stating, "You yourselves know how unlawful it is for a Jew to associate with or to visit anyone of another nation, but God has shown me that I should not call any person common or unclean." Here, ἀθέμιτος refers to a long-standing Jewish custom or tradition that prohibited close social interaction between Jews and Gentiles. While not explicitly codified in the Mosaic Law as a direct command, this custom had become deeply ingrained and was perceived as "unlawful" or "forbidden" within Jewish society. The context highlights God's radical redefinition of purity and inclusion, challenging human-made barriers that had been elevated to the status of divine law.
2. **[[1 Peter 4:3]]**: Peter admonishes believers, "For the time that is past suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to do—living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry." The phrase "lawless idolatry" (ἀθεμίτοις εἰδωλολατρίαις) employs ἀθέμιτος to describe the idolatrous practices prevalent among Gentiles. In this instance, the term carries a strong moral and theological weight, signifying practices that are not merely socially unacceptable but fundamentally contrary to God's revealed will and moral order. These actions are "unlawful" in the deepest sense, being an affront to divine holiness and truth, embodying the "abominable" aspect of the word's definition.
### Related Words & Concepts
The meaning of ἀθέμιτος can be further illuminated by examining its relationship to other biblical terms and concepts:
* **θέμις (thémis)**: The positive root of ἀθέμιτος, referring to divine law, custom, or established right. While not directly used in the New Testament in this form, its underlying concept is crucial for understanding what ἀθέμιτος negates.
* **νόμος (nómos, `{{G3551}}`)**: Law, especially the Mosaic Law. While ἀθέμιτος can describe something contrary to *nómos*, it also encompasses broader concepts of custom or divine propriety not necessarily explicitly written in the law. The related term ἄνομος (ánomos, `{{G458}}`, lawless, without law) is often used in parallel, but ἀθέμιτος can imply a deeper moral or customary impropriety.
* **ἀκάθαρτος (akathartos, `{{G169}}`)**: Unclean, impure. Often, that which is ἀθέμιτος is also considered ἀκάθαρτος, particularly in the context of ritual or moral defilement, as seen in Peter's vision where "common or unclean" is linked to "unlawful."
* **βδέλυγμα (bdelugma, `{{G946}}`)**: Abomination. Actions or things described as ἀθέμιτος, especially in a religious context like idolatry, are often considered a βδέλυγμα to God.
* **Moral Transgression & Impurity**: The word highlights the biblical understanding of sin as a violation of God's established order, whether that order is expressed through explicit commands or through inherent divine principles of righteousness and holiness.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of ἀθέμιτος lies in its nuanced portrayal of what constitutes "unlawfulness" in God's eyes. In [[Acts 10:28]], it reveals that human traditions, even those deeply entrenched and perceived as divine, can become barriers to God's redemptive plan. God challenges Peter's understanding of what is "unlawful" to demonstrate that the divine economy of salvation extends beyond ethnic and customary boundaries. This instance underscores the principle that God's will can supersede human interpretations of law, especially when those interpretations hinder the spread of the Gospel and the inclusion of all peoples.
Conversely, in [[1 Peter 4:3]], ἀθέμιτος points to a more absolute sense of "unlawfulness." The "lawless idolatry" of the Gentiles is not merely a social faux pas but a profound affront to God's nature and a violation of the created order. These practices are inherently contrary to divine truth and morality, representing a state of spiritual rebellion.
Thus, ἀθέμιτος serves to distinguish between humanly constructed prohibitions (which God may dismantle for His greater purpose) and genuinely ungodly practices that stand in direct opposition to His character and commands. It calls believers to discern God's true standards of righteousness and to reject all that is truly "unlawful" in His sight, while being open to God's redefinition of long-held customs.
### Summary
The Greek term ἀθέμιτος (athémitos, `{{G111}}`) signifies "unlawful," "illicit," or "forbidden," derived from the negation of θέμις (divine law, custom, or established propriety). Its two New Testament occurrences provide critical insights: In [[Acts 10:28]], it describes a Jewish custom concerning Gentiles that God overrides, demonstrating divine transcendence over human tradition. In [[1 Peter 4:3]], it characterizes "lawless idolatry" as profoundly offensive to God's moral order, highlighting actions that are inherently contrary to divine will. The word thus encapsulates both the potential for human custom to become an "unlawful" barrier in God's plan and the absolute "unlawfulness" of practices that violate God's holy nature. It underscores the call for believers to align their lives with God's true standards, discerning what is truly abominable in His sight.
TRV