The term "corrupts" in the Bible often refers to moral decay, the perversion of what is good, and the degradation of God's intended order. It is used to describe both individuals and societies that deviate from God's commandments and embrace sin.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, the concept of corruption is frequently associated with idolatry and moral decline. Genesis 6:11-12 states, "Now the earth was corrupt in the sight of God, and full of violence. God looked upon the earth and saw that it was corrupt; for all living creatures on the earth had corrupted their ways." This passage highlights the widespread moral decay that led to the judgment of the flood.

The Israelites were repeatedly warned against corrupting themselves by adopting the practices of surrounding nations. Deuteronomy 4:16 cautions, "that you do not become corrupt and make for yourselves an idol in the form of any figure, the likeness of male or female." Here, corruption is linked to idolatry, which leads to a departure from worshiping the one true God.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, corruption is often associated with false teachings and moral impurity. The Apostle Paul warns against corrupt influences in the church. In 1 Corinthians 15:33 , he writes, "Do not be deceived: 'Bad company corrupts good character.'" This emphasizes the danger of associating with those who lead believers away from righteous living.

The concept of corruption is also tied to the sinful nature of humanity. In Galatians 6:8 , Paul contrasts the outcomes of living by the flesh versus the Spirit: "The one who sows to please his flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; but the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life." Here, corruption is the result of living according to sinful desires rather than the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Moral and Spiritual Implications

Corruption in the biblical sense is not merely a matter of external actions but is deeply rooted in the heart. Jesus addresses this in Matthew 15:18-19 , saying, "But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these things defile a man. For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander." This passage underscores that corruption begins internally and manifests in outward actions.

The Bible also presents a remedy for corruption through repentance and transformation. In 2 Peter 1:4 , believers are encouraged to partake in the divine nature, "having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires." This highlights the transformative power of God's promises and the call to live a life set apart from worldly corruption.

Conclusion

The biblical understanding of corruption encompasses both individual and societal dimensions, emphasizing the need for adherence to God's commandments and the transformative power of the Holy Spirit to overcome moral decay.5349. phthartos -- perishable, corruptible
... Cognate: 5349 (an adjective, derived from 5351 ) -- perishable, what easily perishes
disintegrates (corrupts) -- like the break-down of the body during our ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5349.htm - 7k

5351. phtheiro -- to destroy, corrupt, spoil
... root phther- Definition to destroy, corrupt, spoil NASB Word Usage corrupted (2),
corrupting (1), corrupts (1), destroy (1), destroyed (2), destroys (1), led ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5351.htm - 7k

6. abad -- to perish
... root Definition to perish NASB Word Usage annihilate (2), annihilated (1), been
lost (1), broken (1), corrupts (1), destroy (33), destroyed (15), destroying (2 ...
/hebrew/6.htm - 6k

Whether Evil Corrupts the Whole Good?
... TREATISE ON THE DISTINCTION OF GOOD AND EVIL (QQ -49)THE DISTINCTION OF THINGS IN
PARTICULAR (SIX ARTICLES) Whether evil corrupts the whole good? ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether evil corrupts the whole.htm

Pelagius Corrupts a Passage of the Apostle James by Adding a Note ...
... A Treatise on nature and grace, against pelagius; Chapter 16 [XV.]"Pelagius Corrupts
a Passage of the Apostle James by Adding a Note of Interrogation. ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 16 xv pelagius corrupts a.htm

It is the Good God that Gives Fruitfulness, and the Devil that ...
... Book II. Chapter 21 [IX.]"It is the Good God That Gives Fruitfulness, and
the Devil That Corrupts the Fruit. What, therefore, is ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 21 ix it is the.htm

In what Sense Evils are from God.
... in the divine judgment, is plainly declared by the Apostle Paul, when he says,
"The temple of God is holy, which temple ye are; whoever corrupts the temple of ...
/.../chapter 39 name what sense.htm

If Evil is Defined to be Corruption, this Completely Refutes the ...
... But corruption exists not by itself, but in some substance which it corrupts;
for corruption itself is not a substance. So the thing ...
/.../chapter 5 name evil is.htm

Whether Other Sins Dissolve Marriage?
... the covetous and the idolater serve the creature rather than the Creator; but not
on account of likeness of unbelief, since unbelief corrupts the intellect ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether other sins dissolve marriage.htm

Whether the Marriage Act is Always Sinful?
... Therefore since the act of adultery is a sin, the marriage act is likewise.
Objection 6: Further, excess in the passions corrupts virtue. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether the marriage act is.htm

Introduction to the Treatise that no one Can Harm the Man who Does ...
... What opinion do you hold? I hold that the term evil comprises everything that destroys
and corrupts, and the term good everything that preserves and benefits. ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/introduction to the treatise that.htm

We have Sufficiently Met, as I Think, the Accusation of the ...
... In proportion to the enmity the truth awakens, you give offence by faithfully standing
by it; but the man who corrupts and makes a mere pretence of it ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/tertullian/apology/chapter xlvi we have sufficiently.htm

The Basis for Community Service
... The capitalist who corrupts Legislatures with impunity in business or who prevents
child-labor legislation may be a model Christian gentleman in his home and ...
/.../vogt/church cooperation in community life/chapter ii the basis for.htm

Corrupts (6 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Corrupts (6 Occurrences). 1 ... boasting. Do you not know
that a little yeast corrupts the whole of the dough? (WEY). ...
/c/corrupts.htm - 7k

Dough (15 Occurrences)
... Do you not know that a little yeast corrupts the whole of the dough? (WEY NAS NIV). ...
(WEY). Galatians 5:9 A little yeast corrupts the whole of the dough. ...
/d/dough.htm - 12k

Cors (6 Occurrences)

/c/cors.htm - 8k

Corruptly (20 Occurrences)

/c/corruptly.htm - 12k

Ulcer (8 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) Fig.: Anything that festers and corrupts like an open sore; a vice in character.
3. (vt) To ulcerate. Multi-Version Concordance Ulcer (8 Occurrences). ...
/u/ulcer.htm - 9k

Leprosy (51 Occurrences)
... its small beginnings, its gradual spread, its internal disfigurement, its dissolution
little by little of the whole body, of that which corrupts, degrades, and ...
/l/leprosy.htm - 37k

Infection (24 Occurrences)
... disease; epidemic. 4. (n.) That which taints or corrupts morally; as, the
infection of vicious principles. 5. (n.) Contamination ...
/i/infection.htm - 14k

Defiler (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) One who defiles; one who corrupts or violates; that
which pollutes. Multi-Version Concordance Defiler (1 Occurrence). ...
/d/defiler.htm - 6k

Canker (4 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) Anything which corrodes, corrupts, or destroy. 3. (n.) A disease
incident to trees, causing the bark to rot and fall off. ...
/c/canker.htm - 9k

Clean (298 Occurrences)
... also one Greek root, katharos, etc., akin to castus, "chaste," "free from admixture
or adhesion of anything that soils, adulterates, corrupts" (Thayer's Lexicon ...
/c/clean.htm - 44k

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