810. asótia
Lexical Summary
asótia: Dissipation, debauchery, profligacy, reckless living

Original Word: ἀσωτία
Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
Transliteration: asótia
Pronunciation: ah-so-TEE-ah
Phonetic Spelling: (as-o-tee'-ah)
KJV: excess, riot
NASB: dissipation
Word Origin: [from a compound of G1 (α - Alpha) (as a negative particle) and a presumed derivative of G4982 (σώζω - saved)]

1. (properly) unsavedness
2. (by implication) profligacy

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
excess, debauchery

From a compound of a (as a negative particle) and a presumed derivative of sozo; properly, unsavedness, i.e. (by implication) profligacy -- excess, riot.

see GREEK a

see GREEK sozo

HELPS Word-studies

810 asōtía (from 1 /A "without" and 4982 /sṓzō, "save") – properly, what can't be saved (waste); (figuratively) prodigality, spiritual wastefulness due to excessive behavior and the dire consequences it brings.

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from alpha (as a neg. prefix) and sózó
Definition
unsavedness, i.e. wastefulness
NASB Translation
dissipation (3).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 810: ἀσωτία

ἀσωτία, ἀσωτίας, (the character of an ἄσωτος, i. e. of an abandoned man, one that cannot be saved, from σαόω, σόω equivalent to σῴζω (ἄσωτος, Curtius, § 570); hence, properly, incorrigibleness), an abandoned, dissolute, life; profligacy, prodigality (R. V. riot]: Ephesians 5:18; Titus 1:6; 1 Peter 4:4; (Proverbs 28:7; 2 Macc. 6:4. Plato, rep. 8, p. 560 e.; Aristotle, eth. Nic. 4, 1, 5 (3), p. 1120{a}, 3; Polybius 32, 20, 9; 40, 12, 7; cf. Cicero, Tusc. 3, 8; Herodian, 2, 5, 2 (1, Bekker edition), and elsewhere). Cf. Tittmann i., p. 152f; (Trench, § xvi.).

Topical Lexicon
Meaning and Semantic Range

The term ἀσωτία depicts a life that is wasteful, reckless, and devoid of moral restraint. It conveys reckless excess that squanders God-given resources of body, mind, and possessions, and stands opposite to sobriety, discipline, and Spirit-directed self-control.

Biblical Usage

Ephesians 5:18 contrasts two controlling influences: “Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to reckless indiscretion, but be filled with the Spirit”. Paul places ἀσωτία in deliberate opposition to the Spirit’s filling, underscoring that dissipation deadens spiritual sensitivity while Spirit-fullness empowers holy living.
Titus 1:6 sets ἀσωτία among the disqualifying traits for elders’ children. A household marked by uncontrolled excess betrays defective leadership, reminding the church that godly oversight must model disciplined stewardship at home before it can guide the flock.
1 Peter 4:4 speaks to believers maligned by former companions: “They are surprised that you do not plunge with them into the same flood of reckless indiscretion, and they slander you”. Peter views ἀσωτία as a tsunami of destructive behavior from which conversion delivers the saint, provoking unbelieving resentment.

Historical Context

Greco-Roman society applauded banquets, drunkenness, and sexual license as marks of status and freedom. Early Christians, however, saw such excess as bondage. By labeling these practices ἀσωτία, the apostles challenged prevailing cultural norms and called the church to a markedly counter-cultural ethic rooted in holiness.

Theological Significance

1. Evidence of Fleshly Control: ἀσωτία flows from a heart governed by the sinful nature (Galatians 5:19-21 lists related vices). Its presence signals spiritual death and alienation from God.
2. Antithesis to the Spirit’s Work: Just as drunkenness distorts perception, reckless living dulls the conscience. Spirit-filled believers manifest “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control,” the very opposite of ἀσωτία’s chaos.
3. Stewardship Principle: God entrusts life, time, and resources to be used for His glory. Squandering them in riotous living denies His ownership (compare the prodigal son’s “wasteful living,” Luke 15:13, where the cognate adjective appears).
4. Eschatological Warning: Peter links ἀσωτία with impending judgment (1 Peter 4:5). Persisting in such conduct invites divine retribution, whereas repentance brings deliverance.

Pastoral Application

• Personal Holiness: Believers test entertainment, spending, and social practices against the standard of sober-minded stewardship.
• Family Discipleship: Parents train children toward self-discipline, providing an environment where excess is corrected early.
• Church Leadership: Elders must exemplify temperance; unchecked dissipation within their households undermines moral authority.
• Evangelism and Apologetics: Refusal to join a culture of excess may draw ridicule, yet it also provides a compelling testimony to the transforming power of the gospel.

Related Concepts

ἀσώτως (prodigally), κώμος (carousing), μέθη (drunkenness), ἀκρασία (lack of self-control). Together these terms sketch the broader scriptural portrait of reckless indulgence versus Spirit-formed discipline.

Summary

Strong’s Greek 810 portrays a lifestyle of wasteful, self-destructive excess that contradicts Spirit-led living. The New Testament treats ἀσωτία not merely as a social ill but as a spiritual disease, urging believers to forsake such dissipation and embrace a life ruled by the Spirit, marked by sobriety, stewardship, and readiness for Christ’s return.

Forms and Transliterations
ασωτια ασωτία ἀσωτία ασωτίαν ασωτιας ασωτίας ἀσωτίας άσωτος asotia asotía asōtia asōtía asotias asotías asōtias asōtías
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Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Ephesians 5:18 N-NFS
GRK: ᾧ ἐστὶν ἀσωτία ἀλλὰ πληροῦσθε
NAS: with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled
KJV: wherein is excess; but be filled
INT: which is debauchery but be filled

Titus 1:6 N-GFS
GRK: ἐν κατηγορίᾳ ἀσωτίας ἢ ἀνυπότακτα
NAS: not accused of dissipation or
KJV: not accused of riot or unruly.
INT: under accusation of debauchery or insubordinate

1 Peter 4:4 N-GFS
GRK: αὐτὴν τῆς ἀσωτίας ἀνάχυσιν βλασφημοῦντες
NAS: excesses of dissipation, and they malign
KJV: excess of riot, speaking evil of
INT: same the of debauchery overflow speaking evil [of you]

Strong's Greek 810
3 Occurrences


ἀσωτία — 1 Occ.
ἀσωτίας — 2 Occ.

809
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