Unbelief

Unbelief [NAVE]

UNBELIEF
See: Skepticism.
Ex. 4:1; Num. 11:21-23; Num. 20:12, 13; Psa. 78:19, 21, 22, 32; Psa. 95:8-11; Psa. 106:7, 24; Isa. 7:9; Isa. 53:1 [John 12:38.] Isa. 53:2, 3; Isa. 58:3; Jer. 5:12-14; Mal. 1:2, 7; Matt. 10:14, 15; Matt. 11:16-19 Luke 7:31-35. Matt. 13:13-15 [Isa. 6:9, 10.] Matt. 13:58; Matt. 17:17, 19, 20; Matt. 21:32; Mark 6:2-6; Mark 9:24; Mark 16:14, 16; Luke 8:12, 18 Mark 4:24, 25. Luke 10:16; Luke 12:46; Luke 13:34; Luke 14:16-24; Luke 16:31; Luke 18:8; Luke 19:41, 42; Luke 22:67; Luke 24:11, 21, 25, 26, 36-45; John 1:10, 11; John 3:7, 11, 12, 18, 32, 36; John 4:48; John 5:38, 40, 43, 44, 46, 47; John 6:36, 60-62, 64, 66, 70, 71; John 8:24, 45-47, 52, 53; John 10:25, 26, 37, 38; John 12:37, 39, 40, 47, 48; John 14:17; John 16:8, 9; John 20:27; Acts 13:40, 41; Acts 19:9; Acts 22:18; Acts 28:24; Rom. 1:18; Rom. 3:3; Rom. 4:20; Rom. 9:31, 32; Rom. 10:6, 7, 14, 16, 21; Rom. 11:20, 30-32; Rom. 14:23; 1 Cor. 1:18, 22, 23; 1 Cor. 2:14; 1 Cor. 14:22; 2 Cor. 6:14-16; 2 Thess. 2:11, 12; 2 Thess. 3:2; 1 Tim. 1:13; 2 Tim. 2:13; Tit. 1:15; Heb. 3:12, 16-19; Heb. 4:1-3, 6, 11; Heb. 11:6, 31; Heb. 12:25; Jas. 1:6, 7; 1 Pet. 2:7, 8; 2 Pet. 3:4; 1 John 2:22, 23; 1 John 4:3; 1 John 5:10, 12; Jude 5; Rev. 21:8
Instances of
Eve, Gen. 3:4-6.
Moses and Aaron, Num. 20:12.
Israelites, Deut. 9:23; 2 Kin. 17:14; Psa. 78.
Naaman, 2 Kin. 5:12.
Samaritan lord, 2 Kin. 7:2.
Disciples, Matt. 17:17; Luke 24:11, 25.
Zacharias, Luke 1:20.
Chief priests, Luke 22:67.
The Jews, Mark 1:45; 2:6-11; 8:11, 12; 15:29-32; John 5:38, 40, 43, 46, 47.
Disciples, Matt. 17:20; Mark 4:38, 40; Luke 24:41-45.
Brethren of Christ, John 7:5.
Thomas, John 20:25.
Jews of Iconium, Acts 14:2.
Thessalonian Jews, Acts 17:5.
Jews in Jerusalem, Rom. 15:31.
Ephesians, Acts 19:9.
Saul, 1 Tim. 1:13.
People of Jericho, Heb. 11:31.

UNBELIEF [ISBE]

UNBELIEF - un-be-lef': The word (the King James Version) represents two Greek words, apeitheia, "disobedience" (only in Rom 11:30,32; Heb 4:6,11), and apistia, "distrust," the antithesis to "faith". (which see). The two words are not only akin etymologically but run into one another by mental connection, certainly where spiritual relations are concerned, as between man and God. For when God has spoken, in precept and yet more in promise, distrust involves, at least potentially, an element of disobedience. His supreme claim is to be trusted to command only what is right, and to promise only what is true. He is infinitely sympathetic in His insight, and infallibly knows where distrust comes only of the dim perceptions and weak mis-givings of our mortal nature, and where, on the other hand, a moral resistance lies at the back of the non-confidence. But the presence of that darker element is always to be suspected, at least, and searched for in serious self-examination.

We may remark that it is a loss in our language that "unbelief" is the only word we can use as the antithesis to "faith"; for "faith" and "belief" (which see) are not exactly synonyms. "Unfaith" would be a welcome word for such use, if it were generally so understood.

Handley Dunelm