Surfeit
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Definition:
Surfeit refers to an excessive amount or overindulgence in eating and drinking, leading to gluttony or drunkenness. In a broader sense, it can denote any form of excess or overabundance that leads to moral or spiritual decline.

Biblical References and Context:
The concept of surfeit is addressed in various passages throughout the Bible, often warning against the dangers of excess and the moral decay it can bring. The Bible consistently encourages moderation and self-control as virtues that align with a godly life.

1. Warnings Against Excess:
In the New Testament, Jesus warns against the dangers of overindulgence. In Luke 21:34 , He cautions, "But watch yourselves, or your hearts will be weighed down by dissipation, drunkenness, and the worries of life—and that day will spring upon you suddenly like a trap." Here, "dissipation" can be understood as a form of surfeit, highlighting the spiritual lethargy that can result from excessive living.

2. Gluttony and Drunkenness:
Proverbs 23:20-21 advises, "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 links surfeit with both physical and spiritual poverty, emphasizing the destructive consequences of gluttony and drunkenness.

3. Moral and Spiritual Implications:
The Bible often associates surfeit with a lack of self-discipline, which can lead to a departure from righteous living. In Galatians 5:19-21 , Paul lists "drunkenness" among the works of the flesh, warning that "those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God." This underscores the spiritual peril of living in excess.

4. Call to Moderation:
The Scriptures advocate for a life of moderation and self-control. In 1 Peter 4:3-4 , believers are reminded, "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." The call is to abandon a life of excess and embrace a lifestyle that reflects the values of the Kingdom of God.

Theological Insights:
From a theological perspective, surfeit is seen as a manifestation of the sinful nature that prioritizes fleshly desires over spiritual well-being. It is a form of idolatry, where the pursuit of pleasure and excess takes precedence over devotion to God. The Bible's teachings on surfeit serve as a reminder of the importance of self-control, a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23), and the need to live a life that honors God in all aspects, including our physical appetites.

Practical Application:
Christians are encouraged to practice temperance and to be vigilant against the temptations of surfeit. This involves cultivating a lifestyle that prioritizes spiritual growth and community well-being over personal indulgence. By doing so, believers can avoid the pitfalls of excess and live in a manner that reflects the character of Christ.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (n.) An excessive amount; as a surfeit of food and drink.

2. (n.) Fullness and oppression of the system, occasioned often by excessive eating and drinking.

3. (n.) Disgust caused by excess; satiety.

4. (v. i.) To load the stomach with food, so that sickness or uneasiness ensues; to eat to excess.

5. (v. i.) To indulge to satiety in any gratification.

6. (v. t.) To feed so as to oppress the stomach and derange the function of the system; to overfeed, and produce satiety, sickness, or uneasiness; -- often reflexive; as, to surfeit one's self with sweets.

7. (v. t.) To fill to satiety and disgust; to cloy; as, he surfeits us with compliments.

Greek
2880. korennumi -- to satisfy
... satisfy. Word Origin from koros (surfeit) Definition to satisfy NASB Word
Usage eaten (1), enough* (1), filled (1). eat enough, full. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2880.htm - 6k
Library

Whether the Matter of Lust is Only Venereal Desires and Pleasures?
... ii, 6) that "lust affects to be called surfeit and abundance." But surfeit
regards meat and drink, while abundance refers to riches. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether the matter of lust.htm

Against those who Say that Demons Govern Human Affairs, and who ...
... I indeed was hoping, that from the continuance of my discourse, you would have had
a surfeit of my words: but I see that the contrary is happening: that no ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/homily i against those who.htm

The Subject of Plagiarisms Resumed. The Greeks Plagiarized from ...
... Solon having written:". "For surfeit insolence begets,. When store of wealth attends.".
Theognis writes in the same way:". "For surfeit insolence begets,. ...
/.../clement/the stromata or miscellanies/chapter ii the subject of plagiarisms.htm

"My Little Children, These Things Write I unto You, that Ye Sin ...
... and think they apply it to the cleansing of their sin past, but it is rather that
they may sin with more liberty, as if the end of vomiting up a surfeit of sin ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon xxiii my little children.htm

Joy
... Other joys, when in excess, often cause loathing, we are apt to surfeit on them;
too much honey nauseates; one may be tired with pleasure as well as labour. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a body of divinity/8 joy.htm

Prepositional Phrases
... summit of misery. sunshine of life. supremacy of good. surface of events. surfeit
of verbiage [surfeit = supply to excess]. surge of pathos. suspense of judgment ...
/.../kleiser/fifteen thousand useful phrases/section v prepositional phrases.htm

"Boast not Thyself of To-Morrow, for Thou Knowest not what a Day ...
... glory is not glory.". To surfeit in the excess of honey or sweet things drives
to vomit, and cloys the stomach, ver.16. Though it be ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon vi boast not thyself.htm

Preface
... is neither hypnotism nor hysteria, and in its expression is neither superlative
nor apostrophic, lest the hungered minds of men die of surfeit following on ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/on prayer and the contemplative life/preface.htm

A Compendious view of the Christian Life.
... For luxury, that has dashed on to surfeit, is prone to kick up its heels and toss
its mane, and shake off the charioteer, the Instructor; who, pulling back the ...
/.../clement/the instructor paedagogus/chapter xi a compendious view of.htm

The Object of Our Worship is the one God...
... depraving customs, though enervated by lusts and passions, though in slavery to
false gods; yet, whenever the soul comes to itself, as out of a surfeit, or a ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tertullian/apology/chapter xvii the object of.htm

Thesaurus
Surfeit (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) An excessive amount; as a surfeit of food
and drink. ... Multi-Version Concordance Surfeit (1 Occurrence). ...
/s/surfeit.htm - 7k

Surfaces (1 Occurrence)

/s/surfaces.htm - 6k

Surfeited (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) of Surfeit. Multi-Version Concordance
Surfeited (1 Occurrence). Proverbs 25:16 Hast thou found honey? ...
/s/surfeited.htm - 6k

Satiate (3 Occurrences)
... 3. (vt) To full beyond natural desire; to gratify to repletion or loathing; to
surfeit; to glut. 4. (vt) To saturate. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/s/satiate.htm - 7k

Sickening (2 Occurrences)
... 1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Sicken. 2. (a.) Causing sickness; specif., causing surfeit
or disgust; nauseating. Multi-Version Concordance Sickening (2 Occurrences). ...
/s/sickening.htm - 7k

Surfeiting (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Surfeit. Multi-Version
Concordance Surfeiting (1 Occurrence). Luke 21:34 And take ...
/s/surfeiting.htm - 6k

Resources
What is the doctrine of the mean? | GotQuestions.org

Surfeit: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Concordance
Surfeit (1 Occurrence)

Ecclesiastes 5:12
The sleep of a working man is sweet, if he has little food or much; but to him who is full, sleep will not come.
(See RSV)

Subtopics

Surfeit

Related Terms

Full (1047 Occurrences)

Surfeiting (1 Occurrence)

Sick (117 Occurrences)

Surfeit (1 Occurrence)

Surfaces
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