Lexical Summary aselgeia: Licentiousness, debauchery, sensuality, lewdness Original Word: ἀσέλγεια Strong's Exhaustive Concordance filth, lasciviousness, debauchery. From a compound of a (as a negative particle) and a presumed selges (of uncertain derivation, but apparently meaning continent); licentiousness (sometimes including other vices) -- filthy, lasciviousness, wantonness. see GREEK a HELPS Word-studies 766 asélgeia (from aselgēs/"brutal") – properly, violent spite which rejects restraint and indulges in lawless insolence (wanton caprice). [This is likewise the meaning of 766 /asélgeia in classical Greek (WS, 110).] NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof uncertain origin Definition licentiousness, wantonness NASB Translation licentiousness (1), sensual (1), sensuality (8). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 766: ἀσέλγειαἀσέλγεια, ἀσελγειας, ἡ, the conduct and character of one who is ἀσελγής (a word which some suppose to be compounded of the alpha privative and Σελγη, the name of a city in Pisidia whose citizens excelled in strictness of morals (so Etym. Magn. 152, 38; per contra cf. Suidas 603 d.): others of ἆ intens. and σαλάγειν, to disturb, raise a din; others, and now the majority, of alpha privative and σέλγω equivalent to θέλγω, not affecting pleasantly, exciting disgust), "unbridled lust, excess, licentiousness, lasciviousness, wantonness, outrageousness, shamelessness, insolence": Mark 7:22 (where it is uncertain what particular vice is spoken of); of gluttony and venery, Jude 1:4; plural, 1 Peter 4:3; 2 Peter 2:2 (for Rec. ἀπωλείαις), 18; of carnality, lasciviousness: 2 Corinthians 12:21; Galatians 5:19; Ephesians 4:19; 2 Peter 2:7; plural "wanton (acts or) manners, as filthy words, indecent bodily movements, unchaste handling of males and females, etc." (Fritzsche), Romans 13:13. (In Biblical Greek besides only in Wis. 14:26 and 3Macc. 2:26. Among Greek writings used by Plato, Isocrates and following; at length by Plutarch (Lucull. 38) and Lucian (dial. meretr. 6) of the wantonness of women (Lob. ad Phryn., p. 184 n.).) Cf. Tittmann i., p. 151f; (especially Trench, § xvi.). Topical Lexicon Concept Overview Strong’s Greek 766, ἀσέλγεια, describes unchecked sensuality that flaunts moral restraint. Scripture presents it as an open, shameless indulgence in bodily appetites that rebels against God’s created order and despises neighbor. Whereas other words for sexual sin may emphasize the act, ἀσέλγεια highlights the insolent attitude that celebrates vice and entices others to join. Occurrences in the New Testament 1. Mark 7:22 lists “debauchery” among the evils that flow from the human heart, proving that ἀσέλγεια is an inward corruption before it is an outward act. 7–9. 2 Peter (2:2, 7, 18) thrice links ἀσέλγεια with false teachers whose libertine example endangers others: Lot was “distressed by the depraved conduct of the lawless” (2 Peter 2:7). Old Testament and Jewish Background Though the exact term is absent in the Septuagint, its spirit appears in descriptions of Sodom (Genesis 19), the idolatrous revelry of Exodus 32, and warnings against “stiff-necked” insolence. Intertestamental literature (e.g., Wisdom of Solomon 14:25-26) similarly couples lawlessness and shameless lust, preparing first-century readers to recognize ἀσέλγεια as societal decay. Theological Significance 1. Rebellion against Creator: By refusing moral constraints, ἀσέλγεια denies God’s right to order human sexuality. Pastoral and Discipleship Implications • Call to repentance: Paul mourns unrepentant ἀσέλγεια (2 Corinthians 12:21), guiding shepherds to compassionate yet firm confrontation. Historical Witness Early church fathers such as Clement of Alexandria and Tertullian cite ἀσέλγεια when rebuking pagan entertainments and heretical sects. Their warnings echo apostolic concerns: doctrine and ethics cannot be severed. Contemporary Relevance Modern culture often celebrates what Scripture names ἀσέλγεια: public sexualization, pornography, and ideologies that reject divine design. The New Testament antidote remains: crucify the flesh with its passions (Galatians 5:24), walk by the Spirit (Galatians 5:16), and proclaim grace that trains believers “to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions” (Titus 2:12). Forms and Transliterations ασελγεια ασελγεία ασέλγεια ἀσελγείᾳ ἀσέλγεια ασελγειαις ασελγείαις ἀσελγείαις ασελγειαν ασέλγειαν ἀσέλγειαν aselgeia asélgeia aselgeíāi aselgeiais aselgeíais aselgeian asélgeianLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Mark 7:22 N-NFSGRK: πονηρίαι δόλος ἀσέλγεια ὀφθαλμὸς πονηρός NAS: [as well] [as] deceit, sensuality, envy, KJV: deceit, lasciviousness, an evil INT: wickednesses deceit sensuality envy evil Romans 13:13 N-DFP 2 Corinthians 12:21 N-DFS Galatians 5:19 N-NFS Ephesians 4:19 N-DFS 1 Peter 4:3 N-DFP 2 Peter 2:2 N-DFP 2 Peter 2:7 N-DFS 2 Peter 2:18 N-DFP Jude 1:4 N-AFS Strong's Greek 766 |
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