antinomian
UK[ˌæntɪˈnəʊmiən]US[ˌæntɪˈnoʊmiən]
n
A person who believes that Christians are released by grace from the obligation of observing the moral law.
adj
Relating to or characteristic of the belief that Christians are released by grace from the obligation of observing the moral law.
Morpheme Breakdown
anti
nom
ian
anti
against
nom
law
ian
person/adherent
Etymology
The term 'antinomian' is a compound formed from Greek elements. Its core component, nomos (law), originates from the Proto-Indo-European root nem-, which carried the sense of "to assign, allot, take," and evolved in Greek to signify established custom or law. The prefix anti- (against) directly opposes this concept. The suffix -ian was later added in English to form a noun denoting a person who holds a specific doctrine. Thus, the word's literal construction, "against-law-person," perfectly encapsulates its theological meaning: an adherent of the belief that faith and divine grace free believers from the necessity of following established moral or religious laws.
Analysis
Structure: anti (against) + nom (law) + ian (person/adherent)
- anti: From Greek, meaning "against, opposite".
- nom: From Greek nomos, meaning "law, custom".
- ian: A suffix of Latin origin, forming adjectives and nouns meaning "belonging to, relating to, or an adherent of".
Examples
The preacher was accused of being an antinomian for his teachings that seemed to dismiss traditional commandments.
Antinomian doctrines have appeared at various points in Christian history, often causing controversy.
His antinomian views set him at odds with the more orthodox members of the church.