[Greek] ἄθεος (atheos), [Latin] non spem: without God, ungodly, godless; Eph2:11-12
Atheos “those without god” written on 3rd century papyrus in Ephesus
Background Information:
Greek Hellenism: This term means denying god or gods, believing in fate, and worshipping the state. Socrates, believing truth as inner voice coming from God, was accused of being an atheist. Plato’s Laws 967c states “These were the views which caused thinkers to incur many charges of atheism and odium, and which also incited the poets to abuse them by likening philosophers to dogs howling at the moon.” Plato’s Laws 908b states “Those, though they utterly disbelieve in the existence of the gods, possess a just character and are incapable of being induced to commit unjust actions.” Pagans also accused Christians, for believing in only one God, as atheists.
New Testament: Gentiles were called the uncircumcision by Israel, the circumcision. The Gentiles lacked messianic expectations and covenants with God. But through Christ, these barriers between Jew and Gentile have been transcended.
Scripture:
“Remember, you Gentiles, were at that time without Christ, alienated from the community of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, without hope and without God in the world.” Eph.2:11-12
Gentiles were morally godless in the sense that they were void of any recognition of God.
Early Christianity:
The Martyrdom of St. Polycarp (155 AD)
3:2
“So after this all the multitude, marveling at the bravery of the God-beloved and God-fearing people of the Christians, raised a cry, “Away with the atheists; let search be made for Polycarp.”
9:2
“When then he was brought before him, the proconsul asked whether he were the man. And on his confessing that he was, he tried to persuade him to a denial saying, “Have respect to your age,” and other things in accordance therewith, as it is their habit to say, “Swear by the genius of Caesar; repent and say, ‘Away with the atheists.'” Then Polycarp with solemn countenance looked upon the whole multitude of lawless heathen that were in the stadium, and waved his hand to them; and groaning and looking up to heaven he said, “Away with the atheists.”
St. Polycarp, a 2nd century Christian bishop, was a disciple of the Apostle John. The people in the Coliseum were being worked up in a frenzy seeing the martyrdom of the Christians.
Etymology: The Latin verb sperare means to hope. The Latin spem means hope. The Latin verb prosperare means to cause to succeed.
Conclusion:
Atheist, atheism, prosper
Atheism was originally defined by the number of gods. It was interesting to note that even the Christians were called “atheists”. Now atheism is now defined by the denial of theism.