Dictionaries :: Covenant-Breakers

Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words

Covenant-Breakers:

from suntithemi (see above), with the negative prefix a, hence signifies "not covenant-keeping," i.e., refusing to abide by "covenants" made, "covenant-breaking," faithless, Rom 1:31. In the Sept. it is found in Jer 3:8-11. Cp. the corresponding verb, asuntithemi, in the Sept. of Psa 73:15, "to deal treacherously" (RV), and the noun asunthesia, "transgression, or covenant-breaking," e.g., Ezr 9:2, 4; 10:6.

Note: Trench, Syn. lii, notes the distinction between asunthetos and aspondos, "implacable," the latter, in 2Ti 3:3 only, being derived from sponde, "a sacrificial libation," which accompanied treaty-making; hence, with the negative prefix a, "without a treaty or covenant," thus denoting a person who cannot be persuaded to enter into a "covenant." He points out that asunthetos presumes a state of peace interrupted by the unrighteous, aspondos a state of war, which the implacable refuse to terminate equitably. The words are clearly not synonymous.