Bible Encyclopedias
Lasciviousness

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

la - siv´i - us - nes ( ἀσέλγεια , asélgeia , "licentiousness," "wantonness," "unbridled lust," "shamelessness," "outrageousness"):

Etymologists assign three probable sources of aselgeia , namely: (1) from a compound of the alpha privitive (negation) and Σέλγη , Sélgē , 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 vices"; (2) from a compound of "a" intense, and σαλαγειν , salageı́n , "to raise a disturbance or noise"; (3) from a compound of the alpha privitive and σέλγω , sélgō , or θέλγω , thélgō , "exciting disgust or displeasure." It evidently means conduct and character that is unbecoming, indecent, unrestrainedly shameless.

Mark uses it in Mark 7:22 with uncertainty as to the vice meant. Paul ( 2 Corinthians 12:21 ) classes it with uncleanness and fornication as sins to be repented of; also (Galatians 5:19; compare The Wisdom of Solomon 14:26, "wantonness") puts it in the same catalogue with other works of the flesh; and (Ephesians 4:19 ) 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 Romans 13:13 , meaning wanton manner, filthy words, unchaste movements of the body. Peter (1 Peter 4:3 ) mentions those who "walked in lasciviousness, lusts, winebibbings, revellings, carousings, and abominable idolatries." He speaks (2 Peter 2:2 ) of "lascivious doings" (the King James Version "pernicious ways"); (2 Peter 2:7 ) "lascivious life" (the King James Version "filthy conversation"); and (2 Peter 2:18 ) of "lasciviousness" (the King James Version "wantonness"), as a means "to entice in the lusts of the flesh." Judges 1:4 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.