Lexical Summary spatalaó: To live in luxury, to indulge, to live wantonly Original Word: σπαταλάω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance live in pleasure, be wanton. From spatale (luxury); to be voluptuous -- live in pleasure, be wanton. HELPS Word-studies 4684 spataláō – properly, to indulge in luxury (unneeded surplus). The Expositor's Greek Testament, "The modern term 'fast,' in which the notion of prodigality and wastefulness is more prominent than that of sensual indulgence, exactly expresses the significance of this word." NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom spatalé (lewdness, luxury) Definition to live riotously NASB Translation gives herself (1), led a life of wanton pleasure (1), wanton pleasure (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4684: σπαταλάωσπαταλάω, σπατάλω; 1 aorist ἐσπατάλησα; (σπατάλῃ, riotous living, luxury); to live luxuriously, lead a voluptuous life, (give oneself to pleasure): 1 Timothy 5:6; James 5:5. (Proverbs 29:21; Amos 6:4 (in both of these passages, κατασπαταλασθε; Ezekiel 16:49); Sir. 21:15; Epistle of Barnabas 10, 3 [ET]; Polybius excerpt the Vat., p. 451 (i. e., 37, 4, 6 (edited by Didot)), and occasionally in later and inferior writings.) Topical Lexicon Biblical Usage The term occurs only twice in the New Testament, both times with the sense of reckless self-indulgence that corrodes spiritual vitality. • James 5:5 – “You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence; you have fattened your hearts in the day of slaughter.” Here the word indicts wealthy landowners whose extravagant ease blinds them to the coming judgment. The imagery of “fattened hearts” evokes animals unknowingly prepared for slaughter, underscoring the moral dullness produced by unchecked pleasure. • 1 Timothy 5:6 – “But she who lives in pleasure is dead even while she lives.” Paul contrasts a self-gratifying widow with the godly widow who is “trusting in God and continuing in supplications and prayers night and day” (1 Timothy 5:5). The present tense “is dead” signals a spiritual condition already in force, revealing that habitual luxury can suffocate faith long before physical death. Cultural and Historical Background In the first-century Mediterranean world, conspicuous consumption—lavish banquets, ornate clothing, and idle amusement—was a public display of status. Such excess often depended on the exploitation of tenant farmers and household servants, the very context James confronts (James 5:4). Philosophers like Seneca denounced “soft living,” yet Scripture goes further, presenting it as rebellion against God’s righteous order. Early Christian communities, composed of both rich and poor, faced continual temptation to adopt the social norms of Rome; the apostles therefore warned that discipleship demands a counter-cultural simplicity. Theological Themes 1. False Security. Self-indulgence fosters an illusion of safety that ignores impending judgment (Luke 12:16-21; Revelation 3:17). Connection with the Old Testament • Ezekiel 16:49 identifies Sodom’s sin as “pride, excess of food, and prosperous ease,” a backdrop for James’s “day of slaughter.” These texts form a canonical thread: wanton luxury invites divine reckoning. Relationship to the Teaching of Jesus Christ portrays luxury without compassion as damning: the rich man “feasted sumptuously every day” yet ignored Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31). His fate mirrors James 5:5. Jesus also models the antidote—self-emptying service (Mark 10:45; Philippians 2:5-8). Pastoral and Ministry Applications • Discipleship Formation: Encourage rhythms of fasting, simplicity, and generosity to counteract cultural materialism. Illustrations from Church History • The Didache urges believers to share goods “without murmuring.” Practical Counsel for Contemporary Believers 1. Conduct regular financial self-examination in prayer. Summary Strong’s Greek 4684 signals more than mere enjoyment; it depicts a lifestyle of self-gratification that deadens the soul and invites judgment. Scripture consistently contrasts such indulgence with God-honoring stewardship, calling believers to sober, generous, and expectant living in light of the coming kingdom. Forms and Transliterations εσπαταλησατε εσπαταλήσατε ἐσπαταλήσατε εσπατάλων σπαταλωσα σπαταλώσα σπαταλῶσα espatalesate espatalēsate espatalḗsate spatalosa spatalôsa spatalōsa spatalō̂saLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 1 Timothy 5:6 V-PPA-NFSGRK: ἡ δὲ σπαταλῶσα ζῶσα τέθνηκεν NAS: But she who gives herself to wanton pleasure is dead KJV: But she that liveth in pleasure is dead INT: she who however lives in self-indulgence living is dead James 5:5 V-AIA-2P Strong's Greek 4684 |
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