The Greek word aperítmētos, represented by G564, is a figurative term for uncircumcised. Its definition is derived from a negative particle combined with a word for circumcision, signifying a state of being "not circumcised." It appears only 1 time in 1 unique verse in the entire Bible, making its single usage highly significant.
The sole appearance of G564 is in Acts 7:51, where Stephen rebukes his audience. He describes them as "stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears." This is not a comment on their physical state but a powerful accusation about their spiritual condition. By being figuratively uncircumcised, they are portrayed as spiritually closed off, unable to perceive God's truth with their hearts (their inner thoughts and feelings) and unwilling to listen with their ears. This condition is directly linked to their action of always resisting the Holy Ghost.
Several related Greek words from its only context in Acts 7:51 help clarify the meaning of G564:
- G4644 sklērotráchēlos (stiffnecked): Used immediately before G564, this term means obstinate. It establishes a tone of willful, stubborn rebellion against God.
- G2588 kardía (heart): This refers to the thoughts or feelings (mind). Being "uncircumcised in heart" therefore means having a mind that is spiritually hardened and unreceptive to God.
- G3775 oûs (ear): This refers to the ear (physically or mentally). The phrase "uncircumcised in... ears" points to a deliberate refusal to hear and obey God's message.
- G4151 pneûma (spirit): The object of the resistance from those with uncircumcised hearts and ears is the Holy Ghost (pneûma), highlighting that this internal state results in opposition to the divine.
The theological weight of G564 is concentrated in its single, powerful use. It reframes the concept of circumcision from a physical sign to an internal spiritual reality.
- Heart Condition: G564 illustrates that what matters is the state of the inner person. A heart that is closed off and feelings that are hardened against God are the marks of being spiritually "uncircumcised."
- Willful Rebellion: When used alongside "stiffnecked," the term signifies more than just spiritual ignorance; it describes an active and obstinate resistance to God's will.
- Spiritual Deafness: The concept of being "uncircumcised in... ears" is a metaphor for a profound spiritual deafness, where an individual refuses to listen to the guidance of the Holy Spirit Acts 7:51.
In summary, G564 is a rare but impactful term that defines a spiritual state of rebellion. Though it appears only once, its context in Acts 7:51 provides a clear and severe picture of a heart and mind that are willfully closed to God. It transforms the physical idea of circumcision into a potent metaphor for one's internal posture, demonstrating that a hardened heart which resists the Holy Spirit is the true mark of being uncircumcised.
TRV