The term "ungodly" is frequently used in the Bible to describe individuals or groups who live in opposition to God's will and righteousness. The ungodly are characterized by their rejection of divine authority and their pursuit of sinful behaviors. This entry explores the biblical understanding of the ungodly, their attributes, and the consequences of their actions as depicted in Scripture.

Biblical References and Descriptions

1. Rejection of God: The ungodly are often depicted as those who have turned away from God and His commandments. In Psalm 1:1, the psalmist contrasts the blessed man with the ungodly, stating, "Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, or set foot on the path of sinners, or sit in the seat of mockers." Here, the ungodly are associated with wickedness, sin, and mockery of righteousness.

2. Moral Corruption: The ungodly are frequently described as morally corrupt and engaged in sinful practices. In Romans 1:18, the apostle Paul writes, "The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the ungodliness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness." This passage highlights the active suppression of truth by the ungodly, leading to divine judgment.

3. Lack of Fear of God: A defining characteristic of the ungodly is their lack of reverence or fear of God. Psalm 36:1 states, "An oracle is within my heart concerning the transgression of the wicked: There is no fear of God before his eyes." This absence of fear leads to a life devoid of moral restraint and accountability.

4. Consequences of Ungodliness: The Bible warns of severe consequences for the ungodly. In 2 Peter 2:6, the apostle Peter refers to the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah as an example of what awaits the ungodly: "He condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah to destruction, reducing them to ashes as an example of what is coming on the ungodly." This serves as a sobering reminder of the ultimate judgment that awaits those who persist in ungodliness.

5. Contrast with the Righteous: Throughout Scripture, the ungodly are often contrasted with the righteous. In Psalm 1:6, it is written, "For the LORD guards the path of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish." This contrast underscores the protective care God extends to the righteous, in stark opposition to the fate of the ungodly.

6. Call to Repentance: Despite the grim portrayal of the ungodly, the Bible also extends a call to repentance and transformation. In Ezekiel 18:23, God declares, "Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked? declares the Lord GOD. Wouldn't I prefer he turn from his ways and live?" This reflects God's desire for the ungodly to turn from their sinful ways and embrace a life of righteousness.

Conclusion

The biblical depiction of the ungodly serves as both a warning and a call to repentance. Through various passages, Scripture highlights the characteristics and consequences of ungodliness while offering hope for redemption through turning to God. The ungodly, as portrayed in the Bible, are those who live in defiance of God's will, yet they are not beyond the reach of His grace and mercy.Psalm 1:1
Blessed is the man that walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm LXXXIII.
... the congregation of God's people in the titles of many ... The meaning of these names
is as follows: Madian is ... destroyed in as far as they are wicked, that being ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm lxxxiii.htm

Of Antichrist, and his Ruin: and of the Slaying the Witnesses.
... Satan; you may call them organs and means by which that wicked worketh in ... and things
of worship of Antichrist; it dwells in the titles and names that are ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/of antichrist and his ruin .htm

Antichrist in the Psalms
... the Revenger," are two of the many names of the ... the Destroyer." This is another of
his titles which points ... of the troublesome presence of the Wicked One; while ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the antichrist/antichrist in the psalms .htm

The Last Interview of Paul with the Elders of Ephesus.
... his wicked way to save his life; the same wicked man shall ... sinecures in the Christian
Church, and that the names of office are not empty titles of honour ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture xxiv the last interview.htm

The Poetical Books (Including Also Ecclesiastes and Canticles).
... government, administered over a world in which the wicked and the ... 11. Besides the
names of the authors, or the occasion of their ... (2.) Titles expressing the ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxi the poetical books.htm

Articles of Religion.
... of Christ in the Use of the Lord's Supper."The wicked, and such ... Of Homilies."The
second Book of Homilies, the several titles whereof we ... Of the Names of the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/hayward/the book of religions/articles of religion.htm

Psalm LXXIII.
... So many Psalms we have on the titles whereof is ... Jacob, and not to mention many names,
through Mary ... silver, jewels, households, which even many wicked men have ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm lxxiii.htm

A Defence of the Doctrine of Justification, by Faith in Jesus ...
... For God to justify a wicked man,[1] &c., would far more disparage his ... here, as I
have said, you glorify your errors also, with names and titles that are ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a defence of the doctrine.htm

Of the True Church. Duty of Cultivating Unity with Her, as the ...
... piety are said to inscribe their names among the ... Those magnificent titles, as when
the temple is called ... of being burdened with a multitude of wicked until the ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 1 of the true.htm

The Fourth Book
... 181] Once the Jews bore both these titles, now they ... is the prefecture of certain
men, whose names I suppress ... was done for us, that is for wicked, unjust and ...
//christianbookshelf.org/salvian/on the government of god/the fourth book.htm

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