Dictionary of Bible Themes  »  8000 The life of the believer  »  8700 Threats to the life of faith  »  8845 unfruitfulness

A lack of fruitfulness, whether material or spiritual, which is often seen as a sign of God's disfavour or anger.

Unfruitfulness as a moral or spiritual condition

Matthew 21:19 pp Mark 11:14 See also Job 15:32-33; Ezekiel 17:9; Ezekiel 19:10-12; Matthew 21:43; Hebrews 6:7-8

Reasons for unfruitfulness

Disobedience

Leviticus 26:18-20 See also Deuteronomy 11:17; Deuteronomy 28:15-16; Psalm 78:46; Psalm 107:33-34; Isaiah 5:10; Isaiah 32:10; Hosea 8:7; Haggai 2:19

A continuing preoccupation with the world

Matthew 13:22 pp Mark 4:19 pp Luke 8:14

A broken relationship with Jesus Christ

John 15:4 See also John 15:6

Some results of unfruitfulness

Unfruitfulness condemned

Isaiah 5:1-7

Unfruitfulness leads to rejection

Matthew 3:8-10 pp Luke 3:9; Matthew 7:19

Unfruitfulness retrieved

Luke 13:6-9 The parable holds out the possibility of restoration.

Discipline with a view to renewed fruitfulness

John 15:2

See also

1025  God, anger of
4815  drought
4822  famine
5225  barrenness
5343  idleness
5881  immaturity
6230  rejection
8102  abiding in Christ
8256  fruitfulness
8347  spiritual growth
8718  disobedience
9165  restoration