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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadInternational Standard Bible Encyclopedia: Lasciviousness
Subjects in this Topic:
la-siv´i-us-nes (ἀσεÌλγεια, aseÌlgeia, “licentiousness,†“wantonness,†“unbridled lust,†“shamelessness,†“outrageousnessâ€):
1. Sources:
Etymologists assign three probable sources of aselgeia, namely: (1) from a compound of the alpha privitive (negation) and ΣεÌλγη, SeÌlgeÌ„, a Pisidian city whose inhabitants according to Thayer (New Testament Lexicon) “excelled in strictness of morals,†but, according to Trench, a place whose people “were infamous for their vicesâ€; (2) from a compound of “a†intense, and σαλαγειν, salageıÌn, “to raise a disturbance or noiseâ€; (3) from a compound of the alpha privitive and σεÌλγω, seÌlgoÌ„, or θεÌλγω, theÌlgoÌ„, “exciting disgust or displeasure.†It evidently means conduct and character that is unbecoming, indecent, unrestrainedly shameless.
2. As Used in the New Testament:
Mark uses it in with uncertainty as to the vice meant. Paul () classes it with uncleanness and fornication as sins to be repented of; also (; compare The Wisdom of Solomon 14:26, “wantonnessâ€) puts it in the same catalogue with other works of the flesh; and () he refers to some aged ones so covetous, that they made trade of themselves by giving “themselves up to lasciviousness.†The same word is translated “wantonness†in , meaning wanton manner, filthy words, unchaste movements of the body. Peter () mentions those who “walked in lasciviousness, lusts, winebibbings, revellings, carousings, and abominable idolatries.†He speaks () of “lascivious doings†(the King James Version “pernicious waysâ€); () “lascivious life†(the King James Version “filthy conversationâ€); and () of “lasciviousness†(the King James Version “wantonnessâ€), as a means “to entice in the lusts of the flesh.†probably does not refer to any form of sensuality in using the word descriptive of “ungodly men†who perverted the faith of some and denied our only Master.