Lexical Summary asebeó: To act impiously, to be ungodly, to show irreverence Original Word: ἀσεβέω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance live ungodly, be impious. From asebes; to be (by implied act) impious or wicked -- commit (live, that after should live) ungodly. see GREEK asebes HELPS Word-studies Cognate: 764 asebéō – to act impiously (ungodly), boldly defying what God deems sacred. See 765 (asebēs). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom asebés Definition to be impious, i.e. to be ungodly NASB Translation done in an ungodly way (1), live ungodly (1), ungodly way (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 764: ἀσεβέωἀσεβέω, ἀσεβω; 1 aorist ἠσέβησα; (ἀσεβής, which see); from (Aeschylus), Xenophon, and Plato down; to be ungodly, act impiously: 2 Peter 2:6; ἀσεβεῖν ἔργα ἀσεβείας (Treg. brackets ἀσεβείας) Jude 1:15, cf. Winers Grammar, 222 (209); (Buttmann, 149 (130)). (Equivalent to פָּשַׁע , Zephaniah 3:11; רָשַׁע , Daniel 9:5.) Topical Lexicon Scope of MeaningThe verb depicts active, intentional irreverence toward God—conduct that despises His revealed character, ignores His law, and refuses His rightful rule. While related nouns describe a settled state of impiety, this term highlights the deeds that flow from such a heart. It therefore embraces both overt rebellion and any lifestyle that treats God as inconsequential. Occurrence in Scripture Jude 1:15 is its lone appearance in the Greek New Testament: “to execute judgment on all, and to convict all the ungodly of every ungodly act of wickedness they have committed, and of all the harsh words that ungodly sinners have spoken against Him”. The aorist form “they acted ungodly” gathers every past deed and word of rebellion into one comprehensive indictment. Jude presents the Lord’s coming not merely to expose hidden motives but to pronounce sentence on tangible acts that denied His sovereign authority. Old Testament and Jewish Background The Septuagint regularly employs cognate forms when translating Hebrew expressions for wicked or profane conduct (for example, Isaiah 13:11; Micah 3:4). Jewish inter-testamental literature likewise brands the generation of the Flood and the citizens of Sodom as paradigms of such behavior. Jude consciously echoes that tradition, aligning his contemporary false teachers with those historic examples of defiance. Theological Significance 1. Holiness of God: By defining sin as ungodly action, Scripture measures evil not primarily by social harm but by its offense against divine holiness (Psalm 51:4; Romans 3:23). 2. Universality of Judgment: Jude’s sweeping language (“all … every … all”) reaffirms that no act or word escapes the Lord’s scrutiny. This accords with Ecclesiastes 12:14 and Romans 2:6. 3. Moral Accountability: The verb’s active voice underscores human responsibility. Ungodliness is never an inevitable condition; it is chosen behavior that merits righteous judgment (Romans 1:18). Contrast with Godliness Throughout the Pastoral Epistles “godliness” is presented as the believer’s goal (1 Timothy 6:11; Titus 2:12). Jude’s antithetical use of the verb amplifies the chasm between those who revere the Lord and those who reject Him. Spiritual formation therefore involves not only cultivating piety but decisively renouncing the deeds described by this term (2 Timothy 2:19). Eschatological Emphasis Jude places the final reckoning of ungodly deeds within the broader Day-of-the-Lord motif (compare Zephaniah 1:15–18; 2 Thessalonians 1:7–10). The verb contributes to a courtroom scene in which past actions become evidence and the Judge’s verdict is irrevocable. This furnishes sober motivation for evangelism and perseverance. Pastoral and Ministry Application • Preaching: Faithful exposition must confront concrete sins, not merely abstract concepts, warning hearers of the certainty of judgment while offering the grace of repentance (Acts 17:30). Historical Context of Jude Jude writes against infiltrators who “turn the grace of our God into sensuality” (Jude 1:4). By selecting this rare verb, he brands their permissiveness as direct rebellion, not mere doctrinal error. The letter, framed by references to divine preservation (Jude 1:1, 24), assures believers that God both keeps His own and deals decisively with those who persist in actions that this verb describes. Summary Strong’s Greek 764 spotlights deeds that treat God with contempt. Though occurring once, it gathers the biblical witness into a single devastating charge: ungodly actions will meet divine justice. The remedy is the gospel that transforms rebels into worshipers who “live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age” (Titus 2:12). Forms and Transliterations ασεβείν ασεβείτε ασέβημά ασεβήματα ασεβήματά ασεβήσαι ασεβήσας ασεβήσει ασεβήση ασεβήσης ασεβούσιν ασεβών ησέβησα ησεβήσαμεν ησεβησαν ησέβησαν ἠσέβησαν ησέβησας ησεβήσατε ησέβουν esebesan esébesan ēsebēsan ēsébēsanLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
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