Apisteuo is 'Lack of Belief' Not Atheism

Apistueo is a Greek word that means "to disbelieve, to be unfaithful, to distrust" . It is the opposite of pisteuo, which means "to believe, to have faith in, to trust" . In philosophy, apistueo is sometimes used to describe the attitude of rejecting or denying the existence of God or any supernatural reality. Atheism, however, is not necessarily the same as apistueo. Atheism is simply the lack of belief in God or gods, not the active disbelief or distrust of them. One can be an atheist without being apistueo, just as one can be a theist without being pisteuo.

Some philosophers argue that atheism is not a lack of belief, but a positive belief that God does not exist. They claim that atheism requires evidence and justification, just as theism does. However, this is a misunderstanding of the meaning and scope of atheism. Atheism is not a worldview or a doctrine, but a response to a specific claim: the claim that God exists. To be an atheist, one does not need to prove that God does not exist, but only to withhold belief until sufficient evidence is presented. This is the default position of any rational inquiry: to suspend judgment until there are good reasons to accept or reject a proposition  .

Therefore, atheism is not a lack of belief in the sense of ignorance or indifference, but in the sense of non-acceptance or non-commitment. It is not a positive assertion, but a negative one: it does not say "God does not exist", but "I do not believe that God exists". This does not imply apistueo, which would say "God cannot exist" or "I reject God". Apistueo is a stronger and more emotional stance than atheism, and it may involve hostility or resentment towards religion or religious people. Atheism, on the other hand, is compatible with tolerance and respect for different beliefs, as long as they are based on reason and evidence  .

Blog Post: Understanding Apisteuo – Lack of Belief, Not Atheism, in Biblical Context

The Greek word apisteuo appears in the New Testament and is often translated into English as "disbelieve" or "lack belief." However, some modern interpretations, particularly in apologetic circles, have conflated apisteuo with atheism, suggesting that it denotes a complete rejection of God’s existence. This misunderstanding can lead to misinterpretations of Scripture and the early Christian understanding of unbelief. In this post, we’ll explore the meaning of apisteuo, clarify why it refers to a lack of belief rather than atheism, and examine its implications for biblical theology. We’ll also provide sources to support this analysis.

The Meaning of Apisteuo: A Linguistic Breakdown

The word apisteuo (ἀπιστέω) is derived from the Greek root pisteuo (πιστεύω), which means "to believe," "to trust," or "to have faith." The prefix a- (ἀ-) negates the root, so apisteuo literally means "to not believe" or "to lack belief." It is often used in the New Testament to describe a failure to trust in God, His promises, or the message of the Gospel, rather than a philosophical denial of God’s existence, as atheism implies.

In ancient Greek, apisteuo could also carry connotations of unfaithfulness or distrust, depending on the context. For example, in secular Greek literature, it might describe someone who is untrustworthy or who fails to keep faith with another person. In the New Testament, however, its usage is more theological, focusing on a lack of faith in God or Christ.

Biblical Usage of Apisteuo

Let’s examine a few key passages where apisteuo appears to understand its meaning:

1. John 3:18: “Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe (apisteuo) stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son” (NIV). Here, apisteuo refers to a lack of belief in Jesus as the Son of God. The context is not about denying God’s existence but about rejecting the specific revelation of Christ. The contrast is between belief (pisteuo) and unbelief (apisteuo), not between theism and atheism.
2. Mark 16:16: “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe (apisteuo) will be condemned” (NIV). This verse, part of the longer ending of Mark (which some scholars debate as a later addition), again uses apisteuo to describe those who do not accept the Gospel message. The focus is on a failure to trust in Christ’s resurrection and mission, not a rejection of God’s existence altogether.
3. Romans 3:3: “What if some were unfaithful (apisteuo)? Will their unfaithfulness nullify God’s faithfulness?” (NIV). In this passage, Paul uses apisteuo to describe the unfaithfulness of some Israelites who did not believe in God’s promises. The NIV translates it as “unfaithful,” highlighting the sense of distrust or lack of fidelity, rather than a denial of God’s existence. The context is about covenant relationship, not atheism.
4. Hebrews 3:12: “See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving (apisteuo) heart that turns away from the living God” (NIV). Here, apisteuo is associated with a heart that turns away from God due to unbelief, drawing on the example of the Israelites in the wilderness who failed to trust God’s promise to enter the Promised Land (Numbers 14). This unbelief is a lack of trust in God’s word, not a rejection of His existence, as the Israelites clearly believed in God but doubted His provision.

Apisteuo vs. Atheism: A Critical Distinction

Atheism, as understood today, is the explicit denial of the existence of any gods. It is a philosophical position that emerged more prominently in the modern era, particularly during the Enlightenment, and is not a concept native to the biblical world. In the first-century Jewish and Greco-Roman context, outright atheism was rare. Most people, even pagans, believed in some form of divine beings, whether the God of Israel, the gods of the Roman pantheon, or other spiritual entities. The debates in the New Testament are not about God’s existence but about who God is, what He has done, and how one should respond to Him.

Apisteuo, therefore, does not equate to atheism. Instead, it describes a failure to believe in a specific revelation or promise of God. For example:

• In John 3:18, those who apisteuo are not denying God’s existence but rejecting Jesus as the Messiah.
• In Romans 3:3, the unfaithful Israelites still believed in God but lacked trust in His covenant promises.
• In Hebrews 3:12, the “unbelieving heart” is one that turns away from God’s guidance, not one that denies His existence.

This distinction is crucial because conflating apisteuo with atheism misrepresents the biblical concept of unbelief. The New Testament writers were addressing audiences who generally believed in God but struggled to accept the Gospel message, particularly the identity and mission of Jesus. As scholar James D.G. Dunn notes in his commentary on Romans, “The ‘unfaithfulness’ (apisteuo) here is not a denial of God’s existence but a failure to trust in God’s righteousness as revealed in Christ” (Romans 1-8, Word Biblical Commentary, 1988, p. 132).

Early Christian Understanding

The early Church Fathers also understood unbelief in this relational sense, rather than as atheism. For example:

• Justin Martyr (c. 150 AD): In his First Apology, Justin addresses pagans who “do not believe” (apisteuo) in the Christian message, but he does not accuse them of denying God’s existence. Instead, he argues that their unbelief stems from ignorance or a refusal to accept Christ as the fulfillment of prophecy (Chapter 53).
• Irenaeus of Lyons (c. 180 AD): In Against Heresies, Irenaeus uses apisteuo to describe heretics who reject the true doctrine of Christ, not those who deny God altogether. He writes, “Those who do not believe (apisteuo) in the incarnation of the Son of God are led astray by their own error” (Book V, Chapter 28).

These early Christian writings show that apisteuo was understood as a lack of faith in the Christian revelation, not as a rejection of theism itself.

Implications for Today

Understanding apisteuo as a lack of belief rather than atheism has significant implications for how we read Scripture and engage in modern theological discussions:

1. Evangelism and Apologetics: Recognizing that apisteuo is about a failure to trust, rather than a denial of God’s existence, can shape how Christians approach evangelism. Many people today who “lack belief” in Christianity are not atheists but are skeptical of specific claims, such as the resurrection or the divinity of Christ. Addressing these doubts with empathy and evidence, as Paul did in Acts 17, can be more effective than assuming a blanket rejection of God.
2. The Nature of Faith: The biblical use of apisteuo highlights that faith (pisteuo) is not merely intellectual assent but a relational trust in God. This aligns with the broader New Testament teaching that faith involves obedience and love, as seen in Galatians 5:6, “The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.”
3. Avoiding Mischaracterization: Conflating apisteuo with atheism can lead to mischaracterizing biblical figures or audiences. For example, the “unbelieving” Jews in John’s Gospel (John 12:37) were not atheists—they were devout monotheists who did not accept Jesus as the Messiah. Understanding this nuance helps us avoid anachronistic readings of Scripture.

Conclusion: A Call for Clarity

The Greek word apisteuo refers to a lack of belief or trust, not atheism. In the New Testament, it describes those who fail to believe in God’s promises, particularly the revelation of Jesus Christ, rather than those who deny God’s existence altogether. This distinction is rooted in the linguistic meaning of the word, its biblical usage, and the early Christian understanding of unbelief. By recognizing apisteuo for what it is, we can better understand the challenges of faith in the early Church and apply those insights to our own context today.

In conclusion, apistueo is a Greek word that means "to disbelieve, to be unfaithful, to distrust", and it is sometimes used in philosophy to describe the rejection or denial of God or any supernatural reality. Atheism, however, is not the same as apistueo. Atheism is simply the lack of belief in God or gods, not the active disbelief or distrust of them. One can be an atheist without being apistueo, just as one can be a theist without being pisteuo.

: https://www.britannica.com/topic/atheism

: https://academic.oup.com/edited-volume/37199/chapter/327367059

: https://biblehub.com/greek/4100.htm

: https://www.learnreligions.com/atheism-for-beginners-248052

: https://religionmediacentre.org.uk/factsheets/factsheet-atheism/

Dictionary of Philosophy

Philosophy of Atheism Notes

Philosophy 101 Notes

Sources:

• Scripture: New International Version (NIV), accessed via BibleGateway.com.
• Lexical Analysis: A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature (BDAG), 3rd Edition, by Walter Bauer, edited by Frederick W. Danker, 2000.
• Commentary: Romans 1-8 (Word Biblical Commentary) by James D.G. Dunn, 1988.
• Early Church Fathers: First Apology by Justin Martyr, translated by Alexander Roberts and James Donaldson, 1867.
• Early Church Fathers: Against Heresies by Irenaeus of Lyons, translated by Alexander Roberts and James Donaldson, 1885.
• Historical Context: The New Testament and the People of God by N.T. Wright, 1992.