Apostate vs. Reprobate — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Urooj Arif — Updated on April 26, 2024
An apostate is someone who renounces a religious or political belief, while a reprobate is a morally unprincipled person.
Difference Between Apostate and Reprobate
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
An apostate specifically refers to a person who has abandoned a religious faith, political party, or cause. Whereas, a reprobate is generally used to describe someone who is corrupt or depraved, often disregarding moral principles or societal norms.
The term apostate has been used in religious contexts to describe individuals who have left the fold of a religious community. On the other hand, reprobate has biblical origins but has evolved to mean anyone who is seen as morally unprincipled, not just in religious terms.
The repercussions of being an apostate can vary greatly depending on the cultural or religious context, sometimes involving social ostracism or harsher penalties. Whereas, being labeled a reprobate often carries a social stigma but not necessarily formal punishment.
Apostates may choose their path after ideological disagreements or personal revelations, which fundamentally change their views. Whereas, reprobates are typically portrayed as having a persistent disregard for morality and ethics without a focus on ideological shifts.
The actions of an apostate are primarily about personal belief systems and the freedom to choose or reject them. On the other hand, a reprobate often implies a choice of lifestyle that rejects commonly accepted moral values.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Someone who abandons their faith or belief.
A person considered morally unprincipled.
Usage Context
Religious, political.
Moral, ethical.
Social Implications
Possible ostracism or penalty in some cultures.
Social stigma, seen as unethical.
Basis of Action
Change in belief or ideology.
Rejection of moral norms.
Typical Connotation
Often negative but depends on perspective.
Almost always negative.
Compare with Definitions
Apostate
One who renounces a religious or political belief.
The novelist was considered an apostate when she publicly rejected the church.
Reprobate
Rejecting accepted standards of morality.
His reprobate lifestyle was a topic of much gossip.
Apostate
Leaving a group or cause previously supported.
The senator was branded an apostate by his party for opposing its policies.
Reprobate
A person who acts with dishonorable intentions.
Despite his reprobate actions, he was charming and persuasive.
Apostate
A person who abandons their faith.
After years of reflection, he declared himself an apostate from the religion of his youth.
Reprobate
Describing someone with no regard for decency.
Known as a reprobate, his behavior shocked the community.
Apostate
The act of renouncing or abandoning a cause.
Her apostate actions alienated many of her former allies.
Reprobate
Associated with depravity or corruption.
The corrupt politician was often called a reprobate in the press.
Apostate
An individual who breaks away from traditional beliefs.
As an apostate, he faced criticism from both friends and foes.
Reprobate
A morally unprincipled person.
Apostate
A person who renounces a religious or political belief or principle
After fifty years as an apostate he returned to the faith
Reprobate
One who is predestined to damnation.
Apostate
Abandoning a religious or political belief or principle
An apostate Roman Catholic
Reprobate
Morally unprincipled; shameless.
Apostate
One who has abandoned one's religious faith, a political party, one's principles, or a cause.
Reprobate
Rejected by God and without hope of salvation.
Apostate
Guilty of apostasy.
We must punish this apostate priest.
Reprobate
To disapprove of; condemn.
Apostate
A person who has renounced a religion or faith.
Reprobate
To abandon to eternal damnation. Used of God.
Apostate
(Roman Catholicism) One who, after having received sacred orders, renounces his clerical profession.
Reprobate
(rare) Rejected; cast off as worthless.
Apostate
One who has forsaken the faith, principles, or party, to which he before adhered; esp., one who has forsaken his religion for another; a pervert; a renegade.
Reprobate
Rejected by God; damned, sinful.
Apostate
One who, after having received sacred orders, renounces his clerical profession.
Reprobate
Immoral, having no religious or principled character.
The reprobate criminal sneered at me.
Apostate
Pertaining to, or characterized by, apostasy; faithless to moral allegiance; renegade.
So spake the apostate angel.
A wretched and apostate state.
Reprobate
One rejected by God; a sinful person.
Apostate
To apostatize.
We are not of them which apostate from Christ.
Reprobate
An individual with low morals or principles.
Apostate
A disloyal person who betrays or deserts his cause or religion or political party or friend etc.
Reprobate
To have strong disapproval of something; to reprove; to condemn.
Apostate
Not faithful to religion or party or cause
Reprobate
Of God: to abandon or reject, to deny eternal bliss.
Reprobate
To refuse, set aside.
Reprobate
Not enduring proof or trial; not of standard purity or fineness; disallowed; rejected.
Reprobate silver shall men call them, because the Lord hath rejected them.
Reprobate
Abandoned to punishment; hence, morally abandoned and lost; given up to vice; depraved.
And strength, and art, are easily outdoneBy spirits reprobate.
Reprobate
Of or pertaining to one who is given up to wickedness; as, reprobate conduct.
Reprobate
One morally abandoned and lost.
I acknowledge myself for a reprobate, a villain, a traitor to the king.
Reprobate
To disapprove with detestation or marks of extreme dislike; to condemn as unworthy; to disallow; to reject.
Such an answer as this is reprobated and disallowed of in law; I do not believe it, unless the deed appears.
Every scheme, every person, recommended by one of them, was reprobated by the other.
Reprobate
To abandon to punishment without hope of pardon.
Reprobate
A person without moral scruples
Reprobate
Reject (documents) as invalid
Reprobate
Abandon to eternal damnation;
God reprobated the unrepenting sinner
Reprobate
Express strong disapproval of;
We condemn the racism in South Africa
These ideas were reprobated
Reprobate
Marked by immorality; deviating from what is considered right or proper or good;
Depraved criminals
A perverted sense of loyalty
The reprobate conduct of a gambling aristocrat
Common Curiosities
What leads someone to become an apostate?
Personal disillusionment, intellectual disagreements, or spiritual revelations can lead someone to become an apostate.
What are the consequences of being labeled a reprobate?
Social ostracism, mistrust, and a tarnished reputation are common consequences of being labeled a reprobate.
How do societies typically view apostates?
Views on apostates can vary widely, from seeing them as courageous to regarding them as traitors, depending on the cultural and religious context.
Is apostasy legal in all countries?
No, in some countries, particularly those with strict religious laws, apostasy can be illegal and punishable by severe penalties.
How do religions generally respond to apostasy?
Responses can range from attempts at reconciliation to outright excommunication or harsher penalties.
Are reprobates always criminals?
Not necessarily; while reprobates often engage in unethical behavior, not all their actions may be criminal.
Can someone be both an apostate and a reprobate?
Yes, if someone renounces a faith for morally dubious reasons, they could be considered both an apostate and a reprobate.
Is reprobate behavior considered a psychological disorder?
Not specifically; while some underlying behaviors might be linked to disorders, being a reprobate in itself is not a diagnosis.
What legal protections do apostates have?
In many countries, legal protections for freedom of belief protect apostates, but this varies widely depending on local laws.
What motivates a reprobate's behavior?
Motivations can include personal gain, psychological factors, or a fundamental indifference to societal norms.
How can someone recover their reputation after being called a reprobate?
Recovery might involve demonstrating genuine change through consistent, ethical behavior and community engagement.
Do psychologists study reprobate behavior?
Yes, psychologists might study reprobate behavior to understand underlying causes of moral and ethical deviance.
Can reprobate behavior be corrected?
With appropriate intervention, such as counseling or therapy, some reprobate behaviors can be addressed.
How can communities support apostates?
Communities can offer support by providing safe spaces for expression and helping integrate apostates into new social circles.
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Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
