The term "shabby" is not directly found in the Bible; however, the concept of shabbiness, often associated with poverty, neglect, or lack of care, can be explored through various biblical passages and themes. In Scripture, the condition of being shabby can be linked to both physical appearance and spiritual neglect.

Physical Appearance and Poverty

In the Bible, the outward appearance often reflects one's social and economic status. James 2:2-4 addresses the issue of favoritism based on appearance: "Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in. If you lavish attention on the man in fine clothes and say, 'Here is a seat of honor,' but say to the poor man, 'You must stand,' or, 'Sit at my feet,' have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?" This passage highlights the tendency to judge individuals based on their external appearance, warning against partiality and emphasizing the value of every person regardless of their attire.

The Bible frequently calls for compassion and justice towards the poor and marginalized, who may often be found in shabby clothing due to their circumstances. Proverbs 14:31 states, "Whoever oppresses the poor taunts their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors Him." This verse underscores the importance of treating those in less fortunate conditions with dignity and respect, recognizing their inherent worth as creations of God.

Spiritual Neglect

Shabbiness can also metaphorically describe a state of spiritual neglect or decay. In Revelation 3:17-18 , the church in Laodicea is admonished for its spiritual complacency: "You say, ‘I am rich; I have grown wealthy and need nothing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked. I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined by fire so that you may become rich, white garments so that you may be clothed and your shameful nakedness not be exposed, and salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see." Here, the imagery of poverty and nakedness serves as a metaphor for spiritual impoverishment, urging believers to seek true riches in Christ.

Moral and Ethical Implications

The concept of shabbiness can extend to moral and ethical behavior. Isaiah 64:6 declares, "All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind, our sins sweep us away." This passage illustrates the inadequacy of human righteousness apart from God, likening it to filthy rags, which can be seen as shabby and unworthy.

Conclusion

While the Bible does not explicitly use the term "shabby," the themes associated with it—such as poverty, neglect, and spiritual decay—are addressed throughout Scripture. Believers are called to look beyond outward appearances, to care for the needy, and to seek spiritual renewal through Christ.1. (n.) Torn or worn to rage; poor; mean; ragged.

2. (n.) Clothed with ragged, much worn, or soiled garments.

3. (n.) Mean; paltry; despicable; as, shabby treatment.

4508. rhuparos -- filthy
... vile. From rhupos; dirty, ie (relatively) cheap or shabby; morally, wicked -- vile.
see GREEK rhupos. (rupara) -- 1 Occurrence. (ruparos) -- 1 Occurrence. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4508.htm - 6k

November the First in the Days of Youth
... his Lord, and when one of his friends, visiting him in his sickness, led his thoughts
to the Saviour, he turned and said, "But wouldn't it be a shabby thing to ...
/.../jowett/my daily meditation for the circling year/november the first in the.htm

Cutting Corners
... And the wheels that cut corners soon get to looking shabby from lack of
paint. ... And soon their arithmetic looks very shabby indeed. ...
/.../chidley/fifty-two story talks to boys and girls/cutting corners.htm

At Court
... passed on, smiling. Among the magnificently attired courtiers his shabby
appearance created not a little merriment. "Admire the ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/forbes/life of st vincent de paul/chapter 8 at court.htm

Whether Irony is a Less Grievous Sin than Boasting?
... Now it happens at times that a person, by outward words or signs, pretends to be
lacking in external things, for instance by wearing shabby clothes, or by ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether irony is a less.htm

"For Hereunto were Ye Called; Because Christ Also Suffered for You ...
... There was a moment's pause as the two men stood facing each other, then the
shabby-looking young man said: ... "Yes, very dusty, shabby and generally tramp-like. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sheldon/in his steps/chapter one for hereunto were.htm

'the Angel Adjutant'
... those who know of the terrible destitution which exists only a stone's throw distant"
the crowded street markets of the poor, the shabby residential streets ...
/.../carpenter/the angel adjutant of twice born men/x the angel adjutant.htm

The Last Smile of the Muse
... In those days, friendship knew nothing of our narrow and shabby egoisms. Now
Verecundus owned a country house just outside Milan, at Cassicium. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bertrand/saint augustin/i the last smile of.htm

A Few Nights after This, Diamond Woke up Suddenly...
... cabman; and next they would make his wife angry by saying it must be her fault as
well as his, and by leaving ill-bred though well-meant shabby little books ...
/.../macdonald/at the back of the north wind/chapter 18 a few nights.htm

The Next Morning Diamond was up Almost as Early as Before. ...
... They were just pulling him off the box, and Diamond was shouting for the police,
when a pale-faced man, in very shabby clothes, but with the look of a ...
/.../macdonald/at the back of the north wind/chapter 26 the next morning.htm

Introduction
... old age some of Ruysbroeck's friends and followers, and who wrote his Life [2] in
the year 1420, describes him as a simple, quiet, rather shabby-looking person ...
/.../john/the adornment of the spritual marriage/introduction.htm

Shabby (1 Occurrence)
... 2. (n.) Clothed with ragged, much worn, or soiled garments. 3. (n.) Mean; paltry;
despicable; as, shabby treatment. ...Shabby (1 Occurrence). ...
/s/shabby.htm - 6k

Wearing (43 Occurrences)
... 2:2 For suppose a man comes into one of your meetings wearing gold rings and fine
clothes, and there also comes in a poor man wearing shabby clothes, (WEY NIV). ...
/w/wearing.htm - 18k

Rings (46 Occurrences)
... 2:2 For suppose a man comes into one of your meetings wearing gold rings and fine
clothes, and there also comes in a poor man wearing shabby clothes, (WEY RSV). ...
/r/rings.htm - 20k

Rag
... tatter; a fragment. 3. (n.) Hence, mean or tattered attire; worn-out dress.
4. (n.) A shabby, beggarly fellow; a ragamuffin. 5. (n.) A ...
/r/rag.htm - 7k

Meetings (14 Occurrences)
... James 2:2 For suppose a man comes into one of your meetings wearing gold rings and
fine clothes, and there also comes in a poor man wearing shabby clothes, (WEY ...
/m/meetings.htm - 10k

Poor (276 Occurrences)
... poor spirits. 6. (superl.) of little value or worth; not good; inferior;
shabby; mean; as, poor clothes; poor lodgings. 7. (superl ...
/p/poor.htm - 60k

Shabeans (1 Occurrence)

/s/shabeans.htm - 6k

Shab'bethai (3 Occurrences)
Shab'bethai. Shabbethai, Shab'bethai. Shabby . Multi-Version Concordance
Shab'bethai (3 Occurrences). ... Shabbethai, Shab'bethai. Shabby . Reference Bible
/s/shab'bethai.htm - 7k

Meeting (323 Occurrences)
... 2:2 For suppose a man comes into one of your meetings wearing gold rings and fine
clothes, and there also comes in a poor man wearing shabby clothes, (Root in ...
/m/meeting.htm - 39k

Suppose (47 Occurrences)
... 2:2 For suppose a man comes into one of your meetings wearing gold rings and fine
clothes, and there also comes in a poor man wearing shabby clothes, (WEY NIV). ...
/s/suppose.htm - 20k

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