In the biblical context, the term "shameful" often refers to actions, behaviors, or conditions that are considered dishonorable, disgraceful, or contrary to God's standards. The concept of shame is deeply rooted in the moral and ethical teachings of the Bible, where it is frequently associated with sin and disobedience to God's commandments.

Old Testament References

In the Old Testament, shame is often linked to idolatry and the abandonment of God's laws. For instance, in Jeremiah 3:25, the prophet laments, "Let us lie down in our shame, and let our disgrace cover us. We have sinned against the LORD our God, both we and our fathers, from our youth even to this day. We have not obeyed the voice of the LORD our God." Here, shame is a consequence of Israel's unfaithfulness and rebellion against God.

The book of Proverbs also addresses shameful behavior, particularly in the context of wisdom and folly. Proverbs 13:5 states, "The righteous hate falsehood, but the wicked bring shame and disgrace." This verse highlights the moral dichotomy between the righteous, who uphold truth, and the wicked, whose deceitful actions lead to shame.

New Testament References

In the New Testament, shame is often associated with sinful behavior and the rejection of Christ. In Romans 1:26-27, the Apostle Paul describes certain actions as "shameful," stating, "For this reason God gave them over to dishonorable passions. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. In the same way, the men also abandoned natural relations with women and burned with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their error." Here, Paul uses the term to describe behaviors that are contrary to God's design and order.

The concept of shame is also present in the teachings of Jesus. In Mark 8:38, Jesus warns, "If anyone is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will also be ashamed of him when He comes in His Father's glory with the holy angels." This passage emphasizes the importance of acknowledging Christ and His teachings, even in the face of societal pressure and potential disgrace.

Theological Implications

From a theological perspective, shame is often seen as a natural response to sin and a recognition of one's moral failings before a holy God. It serves as a catalyst for repentance and a return to righteousness. In 2 Corinthians 7:10, Paul writes, "Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation without regret, but worldly sorrow brings death." This distinction highlights the transformative potential of shame when it leads to genuine repentance and reconciliation with God.

Practical Applications

In practical terms, Christians are called to live lives that are free from shameful behavior by adhering to biblical principles and seeking to reflect the character of Christ. Ephesians 5:11-12 advises believers, "Have no fellowship with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret." This exhortation encourages Christians to avoid participating in or condoning actions that are contrary to God's will.

Ultimately, the biblical understanding of shameful behavior underscores the importance of living a life that honors God and aligns with His commandments. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, believers are empowered to overcome shame and walk in the light of God's truth.1. (a.) Bringing shame or disgrace; injurious to reputation; disgraceful.

2. (a.) Exciting the feeling of shame in others; indecent; as, a shameful picture; a shameful sight.

150. aischros -- shameful
... shameful. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: aischros Phonetic Spelling:
(ahee-skhros') Short Definition: base, disgraceful Definition: base, disgraceful ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/150.htm - 6k

149. aischron -- shame.
... Word Origin see aischros. shame. Neuter of aischros; a shameful thing, ie Indecorum --
shame. see GREEK aischros. 148, 149. aischron. 150 . Strong's Numbers
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/149.htm - 5k

1246. diakatelegchomai -- to confute completely
... 1246 (from 1223 , "thoroughly"; 2596 , "contrary to, against"; and 1651, ", what
is wrong or shameful") -- properly, "prove all the way through" (literally ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1246.htm - 7k

152. aischune -- shame
... Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: aischune Phonetic Spelling: (ahee-skhoo'-
nay) Short Definition: shame Definition: shame, shamefacedness, shameful deeds ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/152.htm - 6k

1322. bosheth -- shame, shameful thing
... 1321, 1322. bosheth. 1323 . shame, shameful thing. Transliteration: bosheth
Phonetic Spelling: (bo'-sheth) Short Definition: shame. ...
/hebrew/1322.htm - 6k

7022. qiqalon -- disgrace
... Word Origin of uncertain derivation Definition disgrace NASB Word Usage utter disgrace
(1). shameful spewing. From qalown; intense disgrace -- shameful spewing. ...
/hebrew/7022.htm - 6k

954. bosh -- to be ashamed
... 1), delayed (1), disappointed (2), feel...shame (1), put me to shame (1), put them
to shame (1), put to shame (32), shame (1), shamed (3), shameful (1), shames ...
/hebrew/954.htm - 6k

5949. alilah -- wantonness, a deed
... deeds. Word Origin from alal Definition wantonness, a deed NASB Word Usage
actions (3), acts (1), deeds (17), shameful (2). action ...
/hebrew/5949.htm - 6k

The Shameful Sufferer
... The Shameful Sufferer. A Sermon (No.236). Delivered on Sabbath Morning, January
30th, 1859, by the. REV. ... I. Beloved, I wish to show you the SHAMEFUL SUFFERER. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/the shameful sufferer.htm

O Christ, when on the Shameful Tree,
... EASTER O Christ, when on the shameful tree,. 8,8,8,8 tr., John Brownlie. I. O Christ,
when on the shameful tree,. Thou bor'st such cruel pain for me,. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/brownlie/hymns from the east/o christ when on the.htm

That it is as Shameful for the virtues to Serve Human Glory as ...
... Book V. Chapter 20."That It is as Shameful for the Virtues to Serve
Human Glory as Bodily Pleasure. Philosophers,"who place ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 20 that it is as.htm

Other Shameful Actions Ascribed to Heathen Deities. All Prove that ...
... Against the Heathen. Section 12. Other shameful actions ascribed to heathen deities.
All prove that they are but men of former times, and not even good men. ...
/.../select works and letters or athanasius/section 12 other shameful actions.htm

Of the Nakedness of Our First Parents, which they Saw after their ...
... Book XIV. Chapter 17."Of the Nakedness of Our First Parents, Which They
Saw After Their Base and Shameful Sin. Justly is shame ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 17 of the nakedness of.htm

Sin was the Origin of all Shameful Concupiscence.
... Book II. Chapter 52 [XXX.]"Sin Was the Origin of All Shameful Concupiscence.
"Do you," he asks, "repeat your affirmation, There ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 52 xxx sin was the.htm

Of the Symbol of the Breast, and of the Shameful Mysteries of the ...
... On the Morals of the Manich??ans. Chapter 18. "Of the Symbol of the Breast,
and of the Shameful Mysteries of the Manich??ans. 65. ...
/.../chapter 18 name the symbol.htm

That the Theatrical Exhibitions Publishing the Shameful Actions of ...
... Book II. Chapter 8."That the Theatrical Exhibitions Publishing the Shameful
Actions of the Gods, Propitiated Rather Than Offended Them. ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 8 that the theatrical exhibitions.htm

That those who Complain of Christianity Really Desire to Live ...
... The City of God.Book I. Chapter 30."That Those Who Complain of Christianity
Really Desire to Live Without Restraint in Shameful Luxury. ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 30 that those who complain.htm

On Filthy Speaking.
... sanctified. From shameful things addressed to the ears, and words and sights,
we must entirely abstain. [1428] And much more must ...
/.../clement/the instructor paedagogus/chapter vi on filthy speaking.htm

Shameful (27 Occurrences)
... 2. (a.) Exciting the feeling of shame in others; indecent; as, a shameful picture;
a shameful sight. Multi-Version Concordance Shameful (27 Occurrences). ...
/s/shameful.htm - 15k

Filth (21 Occurrences)
... unbecomingness, indecency (only Ephesians 5:4, "nor filthiness, nor foolish talking";
Alford has "obscenity," Weymouth, "shameful"); akathartes, "uncleanness ...
/f/filth.htm - 17k

Filthiness (16 Occurrences)
... unbecomingness, indecency (only Ephesians 5:4, "nor filthiness, nor foolish talking";
Alford has "obscenity," Weymouth, "shameful"); akathartes, "uncleanness ...
/f/filthiness.htm - 16k

Filthy (22 Occurrences)
... unbecomingness, indecency (only Ephesians 5:4, "nor filthiness, nor foolish talking";
Alford has "obscenity," Weymouth, "shameful"); akathartes, "uncleanness ...
/f/filthy.htm - 16k

Ish-bosheth (14 Occurrences)
... The change to Ish-bosheth, "man of shame," in 2 Samuel, where the story of his shameful
murder is related, may be better explained as reference to this (see ...
/i/ish-bosheth.htm - 15k

Ishbosheth (13 Occurrences)
... The change to Ish-bosheth, "man of shame," in 2 Samuel, where the story of his shameful
murder is related, may be better explained as reference to this (see ...
/i/ishbosheth.htm - 14k

Tokens (11 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 22:14 and accuses her of shameful things, and brings up an evil name
on her, and says, "I took this woman, and when I came near to her, I didn't ...
/t/tokens.htm - 9k

Borrowing (1 Occurrence)
... Much more is this true of Jesus Christ. A perfect life characterized by divine claims
ends in its prime in a cruel and shameful death. Is that a fitting close? ...
/b/borrowing.htm - 52k

Virginity (12 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 22:14 and accuses her of shameful things, and brings up an evil name
on her, and says, "I took this woman, and when I came near to her, I didn't ...
/v/virginity.htm - 15k

Proof (38 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 22:14 and accuses her of shameful things, and brings up an evil name
on her, and says, "I took this woman, and when I came near to her, I didn't ...
/p/proof.htm - 18k

What does the New Testament say about homosexuality? | GotQuestions.org

What is the meaning of the Parables of the Lost Sheep and Lost Coin? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about being a lesbian? Does the Bible mention lesbianism? | GotQuestions.org

Shameful: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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