The term "perversely" in the Bible often refers to actions, thoughts, or attitudes that deviate from what is considered morally right or proper according to God's standards. It is associated with a willful turning away from righteousness and truth, often resulting in sinful behavior and rebellion against God.

Old Testament Usage

In the Old Testament, the concept of perversity is frequently linked with the Hebrew word "avah," which means to bend, twist, or distort. This idea of moral and spiritual distortion is evident in several passages. For example, in Deuteronomy 32:5, the Israelites are described as having acted corruptly toward God: "They have acted corruptly toward Him; to their shame they are no longer His children, but a warped and crooked generation." Here, the term "warped" conveys the idea of moral deviation and corruption.

Proverbs, a book rich in wisdom literature, often contrasts the righteous with the perverse. Proverbs 14:2 states, "He who walks in uprightness fears the LORD, but the one who is devious in his ways despises Him." This verse highlights the opposition between living a life of integrity and one marked by perversity, emphasizing that a perverse path is one that shows contempt for God.

New Testament Usage

In the New Testament, the Greek word "diastrepho" is often used to describe perverse actions or attitudes. This term carries the connotation of turning aside or distorting. In Acts 20:30, Paul warns the Ephesian elders, "Even from your own number, men will arise and distort the truth to draw away disciples after them." Here, the distortion of truth is seen as a perverse act that leads others astray.

The Apostle Paul also addresses the issue of perversity in his letters. In Philippians 2:15, he encourages believers to be "blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and perverse generation, in which you shine as lights in the world." This exhortation underscores the call for Christians to stand out in contrast to the moral corruption around them.

Theological Implications

From a theological perspective, perversity is not merely an external action but a condition of the heart. It reflects a fundamental misalignment with God's will and purposes. The Bible consistently portrays perversity as a serious offense against God, one that leads to spiritual decay and separation from Him.

The remedy for perversity is repentance and a return to God's ways. Scripture calls believers to seek wisdom and understanding, which are rooted in the fear of the Lord. Proverbs 3:5-6 advises, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight." This passage suggests that aligning oneself with God's wisdom is the antidote to a perverse path.

Practical Application

For believers, the call to avoid perversity involves a commitment to live according to biblical principles and to cultivate a heart that seeks after God's righteousness. This includes being vigilant against influences that may lead one astray and being proactive in pursuing holiness and integrity.

In summary, the biblical concept of perversity encompasses a range of behaviors and attitudes that deviate from God's standards. It is a condition that affects both individuals and communities, and it requires a conscious effort to align one's life with the truth and righteousness of God as revealed in Scripture.(adv.) In a perverse manner.544. apeitheo -- to disobey
... to disbelieve, disobey. From apeithes; to disbelieve (wilfully and perversely) --
not believe, disobedient, obey not, unbelieving. see GREEK apeithes. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/544.htm - 7k5753. avah -- to bend, twist
... Short Definition: amiss. do amiss, bow down, make crooked, commit iniquity,
pervert, do perversely, trouble, turn, A primitive root ...
/hebrew/5753.htm - 5k

5791. avath -- to be bent or crooked
... bow self, make crooked. A primitive root; to wrest -- bow self, (make) crooked.,
falsifying, overthrow, deal perversely, pervert, subvert, turn upside down. ...
/hebrew/5791.htm - 6k

And yet Let no one Think that we are Perversely Determined not to ...
... Book III. 6 And yet let no one think that we are perversely determined
not to submit to? And yet let no one think that we are ...
/.../arnobius/the seven books of arnobius against the heathen/6 and yet let no.htm

John vii. 45, 46
... The officers answered, Never man spake like this Man.". [1.] There is nothing clearer,
nothing simpler than the truth, if we deal not perversely; just as (on ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily lii john vii 45.htm

Whether we Ought to do Good to All?
... Objection 3: Further, "Charity dealeth not perversely" (1:Cor.13:4). Now to do good
to some is to deal perversely: for instance if one were to do good to an ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether we ought to do.htm

This is the Chief Passage which those who were Sent from the East ...
... This is the chief passage which those who were sent from the East to lay snares
for me tried to brand as heretical, not only by perversely misunderstanding it ...
/.../18 this is the chief.htm

What a Sacrifice Is, and what are the Species of Sacrifice.
... a pure offering. The adversaries perversely apply this passage to the Mass,
and quote the authority of the Fathers. A reply, however ...
/.../melanchthon/the apology of the augsburg confession/part 30 what a sacrifice.htm

Sin Laid on Jesus
... the gap in the hedge by which to escape, but so silly as to have no propensity or
desire to return to the place from which it had perversely wandered; like ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 12 1866/sin laid on jesus.htm

The Similarity of Circumstances Between the First and the Second ...
... But, leaving Alexander with his syllogisms, which he so perversely applies in his
discussions, as well as with the hymns of Valentinus, which, with consummate ...
/.../ on the flesh of christ/chapter xvii the similarity of circumstances.htm

Footnotes:
... These are the absurdities which even men of capacity run into when they have occasion
to belie their nature, and will perversely disclaim that image of God ...
//christianbookshelf.org/butler/human nature/footnotes .htm

The Catholic Rule of Faith Expounded in Some of Its Points ...
... This statement is taken in a wrong sense by every uneducated as well as every
perversely disposed person, as if it predicated a diversity, in such a sense as ...
/.../tertullian/against praxeas/chapter ix the catholic rule of.htm

The Son in Union with the Father in the Creation of all Things ...
... If, now, it is in this sense that He stretches out the heavens alone, how is it
that these heretics assume their position so perversely, as to render ...
/.../tertullian/against praxeas/chapter xix the son in union.htm

Perversely (15 Occurrences)
...Perversely (15 Occurrences). ... In any case Christ is preached--either perversely or
in honest truth; and in that I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice. (WEY). ...
/p/perversely.htm - 11k

Iniquitously (6 Occurrences)
... 2 Samuel 19:19 And he said unto the king, Let not my lord impute iniquity unto me,
neither do thou remember that which thy servant did perversely the day that ...
/i/iniquitously.htm - 8k

Wickedly (34 Occurrences)
... captive, and turn again, and make supplication to you in the land of those who carried
them captive, saying,'We have sinned, and have done perversely; we have ...
/w/wickedly.htm - 17k

Acted (98 Occurrences)
... that they eat with the blood. And he said, Ye have acted perversely: roll
me now a great stone. (DBY NAS). 1 Samuel 14:48 He did ...
/a/acted.htm - 37k

Perverse (55 Occurrences)
... PERVERSE. per-vurs': The group "perverse, -ly, -ness," "act perversely" in the King
James Version represents nearly 20 Hebrew words, of which, however, most are ...
/p/perverse.htm - 22k

Plead (64 Occurrences)
... captive, and turn again, and make supplication to you in the land of those who carried
them captive, saying,'We have sinned, and have done perversely; we have ...
/p/plead.htm - 31k

Supplication (71 Occurrences)
... captive, and turn again, and make supplication to you in the land of those who carried
them captive, saying,'We have sinned, and have done perversely; we have ...
/s/supplication.htm - 29k

Repent (74 Occurrences)
... captive, and turn again, and make supplication to you in the land of those who carried
them captive, saying,'We have sinned, and have done perversely; we have ...
/r/repent.htm - 29k

Dealt (130 Occurrences)
... captive, and turn again, and make supplication to you in the land of those who carried
them captive, saying,'We have sinned, and have done perversely; we have ...
/d/dealt.htm - 37k

Iniquity (299 Occurrences)
... 2 Samuel 19:19 He said to the king, "Don't let my lord impute iniquity to me, neither
do you remember that which your servant did perversely the day that my ...
/i/iniquity.htm - 43k

Perversely: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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