Quick Definition
lawless
Strong's Definition
lawless, i.e. (by implication) criminal
Derivation: from G1 (Α) (as a negative particle) and a derivative of G5087 (τίθημι) (in the sense of enacting);
KJV Usage: wicked
Thayer's Greek Lexicon
ἄθεσμος, (θεσμός), lawless (A. V. wicked); of one who breaks through the restraints of law and gratifies his lusts: 2Pe_2:7; 2Pe_3:17. (the Sept., Diodorus, Philo, Josephus, Plutarch.)
Mounce Concise Greek Dictionary
ἄθεσμος athesmos 2x
lawless, unrestrained, licentious, 2Pe_2:7 ; 2Pe_3:17
Abbott-Smith Greek Lexicon
**† ἄ -θεσμος , -ον
( <θεσμός , law , custom ),
[in LXX : 3Ma_5:12 ; 3Ma_6:26 * ;]
lawless , esp . of those who violate the law of nature and conscience ( cf. MM , VGT , s.v. ): 2Pe_2:7 ; 2Pe_3:17 .†
SYN.: ἀθέμιτος G111 , ἄνομος G460 , κακός G2556 , πονηρός G4190 , φαῦλος G5337 , ( v. Tr., Syn. , LXX iv; DCG , ii, 821 b ).
Moulton & Milligan — Vocabulary of the Greek NT
ἄθεσμος [page 12]
An instance of this word, which in the NT is confined to 2Pe_2:7 ; 2Pe_3:17 , may be quoted from the late P Oxy I. 129 .7 (vi/A.D.) where a man breaks off the engagement of his daughter to a certain Phoebammon, because it had come to his ears that the latter was giving himself over to lawless deeds ἀκηκοέναι σε παρεμβάλλοντα ἑαυτὸν ἐν τοῖς αὐτοῖς ἀθέσμοις πράγμασιν .
Liddell-Scott — Intermediate Greek Lexicon
ἄθεσμος [Etym: = ἀθέσμιος, Plut. ]
STEPBible — Tyndale Abridged Greek Lexicon
ἄθεσμος, -ον
(θεσμός, law, custom), [in LXX: 3Ma.5:12 6:26 * ;]
lawless, esp. of those who violate the law of nature and conscience (cf. MM, VGT, see word): 2Pe.2:7 3:17.†
SYN.: ἀθέμιτος, ἄνομος, κακός, πονηρός, φαῦλος (see Tr., Syn., §lxxiv; DCG, ii, 821b). (AS)
📖 In-Depth Word Study
Unprincipled (113) athesmos
Unprincipled (113) (athesmos from negative "a" = without + thesmos = law or custom although not referring to laws enacted by lawmakers but that which became prevalent by custom and was expected to be observed as if it were law) describes those who are rebellious and refuse to be subject to legal requirements. Unseemly. Disgraceful. Morally corrupt. Athesmos is the opposite of dikaios, righteous or just.
TDNT = "Originally “illegal” or “impious,” of acts, foods, persons."
Friberg = "of a person who breaks through the restraint of law to satisfy selfish desire"
Thayer = "of one who breaks through the restraints of law and gratifies his lusts"
Athesmos was used of one who defied the restraints of divinely sanctioned limits and gratifies his or her fleshly lusts. The word is stronger than anomos “lawless” (in verse 8 below), because it pictures open rebellion against that which had divine approval. The idea is to violate the "laws of nature" and conscience. They were audaciously wicked.
The only other NT use of athesmos is...
2Peter 3:17 You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, be on your guard so that you are not carried away by the error of unprincipled men and fall from your own steadfastness
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