The term "flagrant" is often used to describe actions that are glaringly offensive or scandalous, particularly in the context of sin or moral transgression. In the Bible, while the specific word "flagrant" may not appear in most translations, the concept is evident in various passages that address overt and egregious sin.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, flagrant sins are often depicted as those that are committed with full knowledge and deliberate intent, in direct defiance of God's commandments. For example, the Israelites' worship of the golden calf in Exodus 32 is a flagrant violation of the first and second commandments. Despite having witnessed God's power and deliverance, they chose to create and worship an idol. This act is described as a "great sin" (Exodus 32:21), highlighting its blatant nature.

The prophets frequently condemned the flagrant sins of Israel and Judah, calling out their idolatry, injustice, and immorality. Isaiah 1:4 describes the nation as "a sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity," emphasizing the severity and obviousness of their transgressions. Such flagrant disobedience often led to divine judgment and calls for repentance.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, Jesus addresses flagrant sin in His teachings and interactions with religious leaders. The Pharisees and scribes are often criticized for their hypocrisy, which is a form of flagrant sin. In Matthew 23:27-28 , Jesus says, "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men’s bones and every kind of impurity. In the same way, on the outside you appear to be righteous, but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness." Here, the flagrant nature of their sin is in the stark contrast between their outward appearance and inward reality.

The Apostle Paul also addresses flagrant sin within the early church. In 1 Corinthians 5, he confronts a case of sexual immorality that is not only present but also tolerated within the church community. Paul admonishes the Corinthians to expel the immoral brother, emphasizing the need for purity and holiness among believers. This passage underscores the seriousness with which flagrant sin should be addressed within the Christian community.

Theological Implications

Flagrant sin is particularly grievous because it is committed with a high degree of awareness and often in defiance of known truth. It reflects a hardened heart and a willful rejection of God's authority. The Bible consistently calls for repentance and warns of the consequences of such sin. Hebrews 10:26-27 warns, "If we deliberately go on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no further sacrifice for sins remains, but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume all adversaries."

In addressing flagrant sin, Scripture emphasizes the need for genuine repentance and a return to righteousness. The call to holiness is a central theme throughout the Bible, urging believers to live in a manner that reflects God's character and commands.1. (a.) Reprehensible; scandalous; glaringly wicked; as, a flagrant foul; inflamed; glowing; burning; ardent.

2. (a.) Actually in preparation, execution, or performance; carried on hotly; raging.

3. (a.) Flaming into notice; notorious; enormous; heinous.

2181. zanah -- to commit fornication, be a harlot
... root Definition to commit fornication, be a harlot NASB Word Usage adulterous (1),
become a harlot (1), commit adultery (1), commits flagrant harlotry (1 ...
/hebrew/2181.htm - 6k

Behold, Now, what a Flagrant Proof You have Given of the Vanity...
... [Way-2-50] Behold, now, what a flagrant proof you have given of the vanity?
Behold, now, what a flagrant proof you have given ...
/.../law/the way to divine knowledge/way-2-50 behold now what a.htm

Of the Discipline of the Church, and Its Principal Use in Censures ...
... Church. 4. Another distinction to be attended to is, that some sins are mere
delinquencies, others crimes and flagrant iniquities. In ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 12 of the discipline.htm

The Cleansing of the Temple.
... The circumstances which occasioned this act were familiar to the Jerusalem Jew.
The exigencies of Temple worship had bred a flagrant abuse. ...
/.../the expositors bible the gospel of st john vol i/vi the cleansing of the.htm

Jesus and Pilate
... them. Pilate knew that he was perpetrating flagrant injustice in such a
suggestion, and he tried to hide it by using a gentle word. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/jesus and pilate.htm

Moravians, or United Brethren.
... discipline. In cases of immoral conduct, or flagrant disregard of the
regulations of the society, this discipline is resorted to. ...
/.../hayward/the book of religions/moravians or united brethren.htm

Its Basis
... In our last chapter we contemplated the problem which is presented in the justifying
or pronouncing righteous one who is a flagrant violater of the Law of God. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the doctrine of justification/4 its basis.htm

The Glory of the Cross
... But what are we to say of a view of the Atonement which represents God Himself as
being guilty of the most flagrant act of injustice that the mind of man has ...
//christianbookshelf.org/beibitz/gloria crucis/i the glory of the.htm

The Christian and the Scientific Estimate of Sin
... Or, is it an alien and flagrant intruder into a world where it has no business,
which is so constructed that, sooner or later, wilful transgression meets with ...
//christianbookshelf.org/beibitz/gloria crucis/iii the christian and the.htm

Doing Glory to God in Pursuits of the World.
... We will say a person has been thoughtless and irreligious; perhaps openly so; or
at least careless about religion, and though innocent of any flagrant sin, yet ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol viii/sermon xi doing glory to.htm

Preliminary Remarks
... No advertizing column but contains repeated mention of its name. To ignore
so flagrant a scandal to the Church, is quite impossible. ...
/.../burgon/inspiration and interpretation/preliminary remarks.htm

Flagrant (3 Occurrences)
... 1. (a.) Reprehensible; scandalous; glaringly wicked; as, a flagrant foul;
inflamed; glowing; burning; ardent. ...Flagrant (3 Occurrences). ...
/f/flagrant.htm - 7k

Flagons (7 Occurrences)

/f/flagons.htm - 8k

Flags (9 Occurrences)

/f/flags.htm - 9k

Nehemiah (9 Occurrences)
... He set himself with vigour to rectify the flagrant abuses that had sprung up, and
restored the orderly administration of public worship and the outward ...
/n/nehemiah.htm - 24k

Gideon (45 Occurrences)
... The conflicts became so numerous, the appropriation of land so flagrant, that the
matter of sustenance became a serious problem (Judges 6:4). The multitude of ...
/g/gideon.htm - 36k

Corinthians (3 Occurrences)
... made to him. He especially rectifies certain flagrant abuses regarding the
celebration of the Lord's supper (7-14). (4.) The concluding ...
/c/corinthians.htm - 77k

Abiram (9 Occurrences)
... The context in which he mentions the affair suggests that he regards Hiel's
conduct as exceptionally flagrant in its wickedness. ...
/a/abiram.htm - 12k

Sodomite (1 Occurrence)
... Such gross and degrading practices in Yahweh's land could only be construed as a
flagrant outrage; and any association of these with His pure worship was ...
/s/sodomite.htm - 101k

Scandal (1 Occurrence)
... 1. (n.) Offense caused or experienced; reproach or reprobation called forth by what
is regarded as wrong, criminal, heinous, or flagrant: opprobrium or disgrace ...
/s/scandal.htm - 7k

Conversion (1 Occurrence)
... A sudden crisis is frequently witnessed in the case of persons who, having
lived a life of flagrant sin, renounce their former life. ...
/c/conversion.htm - 21k

What are presumptuous sins? | GotQuestions.org

What is the meaning of mutual consent in 1 Corinthians 7:5? | GotQuestions.org

Why did God kill Ananias and Sapphira for lying? | GotQuestions.org

Flagrant: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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