In the biblical context, the concept of decay is often associated with the physical deterioration of the human body, the corruption of moral and spiritual values, and the transient nature of the material world. The Bible uses the imagery of decay to illustrate the consequences of sin and the inevitable decline of earthly life, contrasting it with the eternal and incorruptible nature of God's kingdom.

Physical Decay

The Bible acknowledges the reality of physical decay as a part of the human condition. In Genesis 3:19, following the fall of man, God declares, "By the sweat of your brow you will eat your bread, until you return to the ground, because out of it you were taken; for dust you are, and to dust you shall return." This passage highlights the mortality of human beings and the return to dust as a consequence of sin.

The Apostle Paul also addresses the theme of physical decay in 2 Corinthians 4:16, where he writes, "Therefore we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, yet our inner self is being renewed day by day." Here, Paul contrasts the physical decline with the spiritual renewal that believers experience through their relationship with Christ.

Moral and Spiritual Decay

Decay is not limited to the physical realm but extends to moral and spiritual dimensions. The Bible frequently warns against the corruption of values and the decay of righteousness. In Romans 1:21-22, Paul describes the moral decay of humanity: "For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking and darkened in their foolish hearts. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools."

The decay of moral values is often linked to the rejection of God's truth and the embrace of idolatry and sin. In Ephesians 4:22, believers are exhorted to "put off your former way of life, your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires." This call to abandon the decaying nature of the old self underscores the transformative power of the Gospel.

The Transience of the Material World

The Bible also uses the imagery of decay to emphasize the fleeting nature of the material world. In Matthew 6:19-20, Jesus instructs, "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal." This teaching highlights the impermanence of earthly possessions and the enduring value of spiritual treasures.

Similarly, in 1 Peter 1:24-25, the apostle Peter quotes Isaiah, saying, "For, 'All flesh is like grass, and all its glory like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord stands forever.'" This passage contrasts the temporal nature of human life with the eternal and unchanging word of God.

Hope Beyond Decay

While the Bible acknowledges the reality of decay, it also offers hope through the promise of resurrection and eternal life. In 1 Corinthians 15:42-44, Paul writes, "So will it be with the resurrection of the dead: What is sown is perishable; it is raised imperishable. It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power. It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body." This assurance of a future resurrection provides believers with hope beyond the decay of the present world.

In summary, the concept of decay in the Bible serves as a reminder of the consequences of sin, the impermanence of earthly life, and the hope of renewal and eternal life through Jesus Christ.(p. pr. & vb. n.) of Decay.1311. diaphtheiro -- to destroy utterly, to spoil, corrupt
... from 1223 , "thoroughly," which intensifies 5351 , "defile, corrupt") -- properly,
corrupt, degenerate (disintegrate); waste away by the decaying influence of ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1311.htm - 8k1086. balah -- to become old, wear out
... root Definition to become old, wear out NASB Word Usage become old (1), consume
(1), decaying (1), spend (1), waste (1), waste away (1), wasted away (1), wear ...
/hebrew/1086.htm - 6k

2 Cor. v. 1
... in our mortal flesh." But since along with these things he said that our inward
man is thus made better also; for "though our outward man is decaying," saith he ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily x 2 cor v.htm

To Gregory xi
... And fear not, father, for anything that may result from those tempestuous winds
that are now beating against you, those decaying members which have rebelled ...
/.../benincasa/letters of catherine benincasa/to gregory xi.htm

The Last Days of the Old Eastern World
... The Eastern world: Elam, Urartu, the Syrian kingdoms, the ancient Semitic states
decayed and decaying"Babylon in its decline"The Jewish state and its ...
/.../chapter iithe last days of.htm

Preface.
... Is the class-meeting becoming extinct? Is the prayer-meeting lifeless? Is the revival
spirit decaying? Is family worship formal, or has it ceased? ...
/.../judy/questionable amusements and worthy substitutes/preface.htm

The Value of Life
... A leper with fingerless hands and decaying joints was repulsive to the aesthetic
feelings and a menace to selfish fear of infection. ...
/.../rauschenbusch/the social principles of jesus/chapter i the value of.htm

The Division Between East and West
... nations who had overrun Europe, still looked up to Rome as their centre and head;
whilst the Eastern Bishops, under the sway of the decaying empire, clung to ...
/.../a key to the knowledge of church history/chapter ix the division between.htm

Brorson's Childhood and Youth
... Its once fine buildings were decaying; its faculty, which in former times included
some of the best known savants of the country, was poorly paid and poorly ...
/.../hymns and hymnwriters of denmark/chapter eight brorsons childhood and.htm

The King --Continued.
... years. During Saul's reign they "inquired not at it," and, indeed, the whole
worship of Jehovah seems to have been decaying. David ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/the life of david/xi the kingcontinued.htm

Improvement
... Church, for no other reason. Consider, again"What is life but a continual
growing, or a continual decaying? If a tree does not ...
/.../kingsley/twenty-five village sermons/sermon xviii improvement.htm

Strength in the Weak.
... The flax is reduced to a smoking ember; but He will fan the decaying flame. Why
wound thy loving Saviour's heart by these repeated declensions? ...
/.../macduff/the faithful promiser/17th day strength in the.htm

Decaying (3 Occurrences)
...Decaying (3 Occurrences). 2 Corinthians 4:16 Therefore we don't faint, but though
our outward man is decaying, yet our inward man is renewed day by day. ...
/d/decaying.htm - 7k

Outward (17 Occurrences)
... But I am for sparing you. (WEY). 2 Corinthians 4:16 Therefore we don't faint, but
though our outward man is decaying, yet our inward man is renewed day by day. ...
/o/outward.htm - 13k

Obsolete (1 Occurrence)
... Hebrews 8:13 By using the words, "a new Covenant," He has made the first one obsolete;
but whatever is decaying and showing signs of old age is not far from ...
/o/obsolete.htm - 6k

Wastes (33 Occurrences)
... for themselves. (YLT). Job 13:28 though I am decaying like a rotten thing,
like a garment that is moth-eaten. (See RSV NIV). Job 14 ...
/w/wastes.htm - 16k

Inward (43 Occurrences)
... our Father!" (WEY). 2 Corinthians 4:16 Therefore we don't faint, but though our
outward man is decaying, yet our inward man is renewed day by day. ...
/i/inward.htm - 21k

Renewed (17 Occurrences)
... 2 Corinthians 4:16 Therefore we don't faint, but though our outward man
is decaying, yet our inward man is renewed day by day. (WEB ...
/r/renewed.htm - 11k

Rotten (9 Occurrences)
... (DBY). Job 13:28 though I am decaying like a rotten thing, like a garment
that is moth-eaten. (WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). ...
/r/rotten.htm - 9k

Eagle (27 Occurrences)
... ravenous bird" is a symbol of those nations whom God employs and sends forth to
do a work of destruction, sweeping away whatever is decaying and putrescent ...
/e/eagle.htm - 28k

Decay (18 Occurrences)
... (WEY). 2 Corinthians 4:16 Therefore we don't faint, but though our outward man is
decaying, yet our inward man is renewed day by day. (Root in WEB ASV YLT NAS). ...
/d/decay.htm - 13k

Durable (2 Occurrences)
... (a.) Able to endure or continue in a particular condition; lasting; not perishable
or changeable; not wearing out or decaying soon; enduring; as, durable cloth ...
/d/durable.htm - 7k

What will we look like in heaven? | GotQuestions.org

How should a Christian view global warming? | GotQuestions.org

Is there any reason to fear going into a cemetery / graveyard? | GotQuestions.org

Decaying: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus