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G551 · Greek · New Testament
ἀπείραστος
Apeirastos
Adjective
Untempted, not liable to temptation

Definition

Apeirastos means untempted, incapable of being tempted by evil, or having no experience of temptation to evil. Composed of the privative a- and peirazō (to tempt/test), it describes God's absolute moral perfection and untainted holiness. Found once in James 1:13.

Usage & Theological Significance

James 1:13 makes a foundational theological statement: God cannot be tempted by evil. This is not a limitation but a declaration of God's absolute holiness. When people claim God is "testing" them with evil, they misunderstand God's nature. Evil is entirely foreign to God's character. Every enticement to sin comes from human desire, not from God — who is the giver of every good and perfect gift.

Key Bible Verses

James 1:13 When tempted, no one should say, 'God is tempting me.' For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone.
James 1:14 But each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed.
James 1:17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.
Habakkuk 1:13 Your eyes are too pure to look on evil; you cannot tolerate wrongdoing.
1 John 1:5 God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.

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