8841 unfaithfulness, to people
Dictionary of Bible Themes

Dictionary of Bible Themes  »  8000 The life of the believer  »  8700 Threats to the life of faith  »  8839 unfaithfulness  »  8841 unfaithfulness, to people

A breach of the trust that is expected within specific relationships, and also a failure of mutual responsibility within a community life; the breaking of the last six of the Ten Commandments.

Unfaithfulness to one another breaks God's commandments

Leviticus 19:18 See also Exodus 20:12-17; Deuteronomy 5:16-21; Matthew 22:39 pp Mark 12:31; Romans 1:29-31

Unfaithfulness to promises made

Numbers 30:2 See also Numbers 30:9; Joshua 9:20; 1 Samuel 20:42

Unfaithfulness in business

Matthew 25:24-26; Luke 16:3-12; Luke 19:8

Unfaithfulness to the marriage covenant

Malachi 2:14-15

The seriousness of marital unfaithfulness

Adultery in the OT punishable by death:

Leviticus 20:10; Deuteronomy 22:22; John 8:3-5

Sexual unfaithfulness is given as a possible ground for divorce in the NT because it undermines the marriage bond:

Matthew 5:32; Matthew 19:9

Examples of marital unfaithfulness

Judges 19:1-2

Hosea's relationship with his faithless wife reflects God's relationship with his idolatrous people:

Hosea 1:2-3; Hosea 2:2,5

Unfaithfulness among family and friends

Micah 7:5-6

God's people may face opposition from their families

Jeremiah 12:6 See also 2 Samuel 15:10; Matthew 10:21 pp Mark 13:12 pp Luke 21:16

Unfaithful friends cause great sorrow

Psalm 55:12-14 See also Psalm 41:9; Psalm 55:20-21

Times of trouble may prove a friend unfaithful:

Job 6:14-17; Psalm 38:11; Proverbs 25:19

Unfaithfulness to Jesus Christ during his earthly ministry

Jesus Christ deserted by his followers

John 6:66; John 16:32 See also Matthew 26:31 pp Mark 14:27; Zechariah 13:7; Matthew 26:56 pp Mark 14:50

Jesus Christ betrayed by Judas

Matthew 26:47-50 pp Mark 14:43-46 pp Luke 22:47-48; John 18:2-5

Jesus Christ denied by Peter

Matthew 26:74 pp Mark 14:71-72 pp Luke 22:59-61; John 18:26-27

Unfaithfulness to God's appointed leaders

The Israelites challenge their leaders

Exodus 16:3-8 See also 1 Samuel 8:7-8

Paul's friends desert him

2 Timothy 1:15 See also 2 Timothy 4:9-11,16

Examples of treachery and betrayal

Judges 16:18-19 Samson betrayed by Delilah; 2 Samuel 3:27 Joab murders Abner; 2 Samuel 4:5-6 Ish-Bosheth assassinated by Recab and Baanah; 2 Samuel 11:14-15 David has Uriah killed in battle; 2 Samuel 20:9-10 Amasa killed by Joab; 1 Kings 21:8-10 Jezebel's treachery towards Naboth

See also

5675  divorce
5680  family
5692  friends, bad
5708  marriage
5798  betrayal
5973  unreliability
6242  adultery
8253  faithfulness, examples
8298  love for one another
8452  neighbours, duty to
8712  denial of Christ
8714  dishonesty



Top of Page
Top of Page






Topical Bible

Bible Hub