Dissolute
Jump to: Webster'sConcordanceThesaurusLibrarySubtopicsTerms
Topical Encyclopedia
The term "dissolute" refers to a lifestyle characterized by indulgence in sensual pleasures, lack of moral restraint, and a general abandonment to vice and immorality. In the context of the Bible, a dissolute life is often associated with behaviors that are contrary to the teachings and commandments of God, leading to spiritual decay and separation from His will.

Biblical References:

The concept of a dissolute lifestyle is addressed in several passages throughout the Bible, where it is often condemned as contrary to the life of holiness and righteousness that God desires for His people.

1. Ephesians 5:18 : "Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to reckless indiscretion. Instead, be filled with the Spirit." This verse contrasts the dissolute behavior of drunkenness with the call to be filled with the Holy Spirit, highlighting the destructive nature of indulgence in excess and the importance of spiritual sobriety.

2. 1 Peter 4:3-4 : "For you have spent enough time in the past carrying out the same desires as the Gentiles—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing, and detestable idolatry. Because of this, they consider it strange of you not to plunge with them into the same flood of reckless indiscretion, and they heap abuse on you." Here, Peter admonishes believers to abandon their former dissolute ways, emphasizing the transformation expected in the life of a Christian.

3. Proverbs 23:20-21 : "Do not join those who drink too much wine or gorge themselves on meat. For the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty, and drowsiness will clothe them in rags." This passage warns against the consequences of a dissolute lifestyle, associating it with poverty and ruin.

Moral and Spiritual Implications:

From a biblical perspective, a dissolute lifestyle is not merely a matter of personal choice but a spiritual issue that affects one's relationship with God. The Bible consistently calls believers to a life of self-control, discipline, and holiness, contrasting the fleeting pleasures of a dissolute life with the eternal joy and peace found in obedience to God.

The Apostle Paul, in his letters, frequently exhorts Christians to live in a manner worthy of their calling, avoiding behaviors that lead to moral decay. In Galatians 5:19-21 , he lists the "acts of the flesh," which include debauchery and similar vices, warning that "those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God."

The Call to Repentance:

The Bible offers hope and redemption for those who have lived a dissolute life. Through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ, individuals can receive forgiveness and be transformed by the renewing of their minds (Romans 12:2). The call to repentance is a central theme in Scripture, inviting all to turn away from sin and embrace the new life offered through Christ.

In summary, the Bible presents a dissolute lifestyle as antithetical to the life God desires for His people. It calls believers to reject such behaviors and pursue a life of holiness, empowered by the Holy Spirit, reflecting the character of Christ in all aspects of life.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(a.) Loose in morals and conduct; recklessly abandoned to sensual pleasures; lewd; profligate; wanton; debauched.
Library

Stricken with Exceeding Grief, He Remembers the Dissolute Passions ...
... Book II. Chapter II."Stricken with Exceeding Grief, He Remembers the Dissolute
Passions in Which, in His Sixteenth Year, He Used to Indulge. ...
/.../the confessions and letters of st/chapter ii stricken with exceeding grief.htm

Of the Corruption which had Grown Upon the Roman Republic Before ...
... then, is this Roman republic, "which has changed little by little from the fair
and virtuous city it was, and has become utterly wicked and dissolute." It is ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 19 of the corruption which.htm

1 Timothy ii. 4-Feb
... intemperate. For avarice is a lust no less than the bodily appetites, which
he who does not chastise, is called dissolute. [1168 ...
/.../homily vii 1 timothy ii.htm

Four Discourses against the Arians.
... For of the one has Arius imitated the dissolute and effeminate tone, in writing
Thali?? on his model; and the other he has rivalled in her dance, reeling and ...
/.../select works and letters or athanasius/four discourses against the arians.htm

To Sister Daniella of Orvieto Clothed with the Habit of Saint ...
... indulgences and luxuries of the world, and the conversation of worldlings; gives
it conversation with the servants of God; takes it from dissolute places, and ...
/.../benincasa/letters of catherine benincasa/to sister daniella of orvieto.htm

1 Thessalonians iv. 3-Jan
... for the first and second evening will praise his own wife; but after that he will
soon fall back into that wantonness, seeking that dissolute and disorderly ...
/.../homily v 1 thessalonians iv.htm

The Holidays at Thagaste
... breaking the law. His fury for dissolute courses knew no rest. Did Monnica
observe anything of this change in Augustin? The boy, grown ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/bertrand/saint augustin/vi the holidays at thagaste.htm

Acts xvi. 13, 14
... (Think) what they suffer, while we (live) in luxury, we in theatres, we perishing
and drowning (in dissolute living), seeking always idle amusement, not ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xxxv acts xvi 13.htm

The Confessions and Letters of St
... Chapter II.--Stricken with Exceeding Grief, He Remembers the Dissolute Passions
in Which, in His Sixteenth Year, He Used to Indulge. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/the confessions and letters of st/

Prison Experiences for Conscience' Sake --Our Prison
... etc. In most, as in the camps, there are traces yet of manhood and of the
Divine Spark, but some are abandoned, dissolute. There ...
/.../prison experiences for conscience sakeour.htm

Thesaurus
Dissolute (1 Occurrence)
...Dissolute (1 Occurrence). 2 Peter 2:2 and many shall follow their dissolute ways,
through whom the way of the truth shall be blasphemed. (DBY). ...
/d/dissolute.htm - 6k

Dissipation (4 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) A dissolute course of life, in which health, money, etc., are squandered
in pursuit of pleasure; profuseness in vicious indulgence, as late hours ...
/d/dissipation.htm - 7k

Dissoluteness (4 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) State or quality of being dissolute; looseness of
morals and manners; addictedness to sinful pleasures; debauchery; dissipation. ...
/d/dissoluteness.htm - 7k

Profligate (3 Occurrences)
... 1. (a.) Broken down in principle, virtue, or decency; openly and shamelessly
immoral or vicious; dissolute; as, profligate man or wretch. ...
/p/profligate.htm - 7k

Orgies (4 Occurrences)
... especially, the ceremonies observed by the Greeks and Romans in the worship of Dionysus,
or Bacchus, which were characterized by wild and dissolute revelry. ...
/o/orgies.htm - 8k

Lewd (37 Occurrences)
... lawless; bad; vicious. 3. (superl.) Given to the promiscuous indulgence of
lust; dissolute; lustful; libidinous. 4. (superl.) Suiting ...
/l/lewd.htm - 20k

Libertine
... 5. (n.) Free from restraint; uncontrolled. 6. (n.) Dissolute; licentious; profligate;
loose in morals; as, libertine principles or manners. ...
/l/libertine.htm - 7k

Loose (219 Occurrences)
... 7. (superl.) Unconnected; rambling. 8. (superl.) Lax; not costive; having lax bowels.
9. (superl.) Dissolute; unchaste; as, a loose man or woman. 10. ...
/l/loose.htm - 38k

Licentious (1 Occurrence)
... 2. (a.) Unrestrained by law or morality; lawless; immoral; dissolute; lewd; lascivious;
as, a licentious man; a licentious life. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/l/licentious.htm - 7k

Wanton (20 Occurrences)
... free; luxuriant; roving; sportive. 2. (vt) Wandering from moral rectitude;
perverse; dissolute. 3. (vt) Specifically: Deviating ...
/w/wanton.htm - 13k

Resources
What is libertinism? What is a libertine? | GotQuestions.org

What is the meaning of “mene mene tekel upharsin”? What is the meaning of the handwriting on the wall? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about being stubborn / stubbornness? | GotQuestions.org

Dissolute: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Dissipation: Dangers of
Top of Page
Top of Page