Lasciviousness Sensuality

Introduction In this lesson, let us consider the Greek word aselgeia, translated “lasciviousness” (KJV) and “sensuality” (NASB), identified by Paul as a soul- condemning work of the flesh (Gal. 5:19-21). Principles derived from such a study will help us make proper decisions regarding our conduct, communication, dress, and demeanor, etc.

Definitions Thomas defines ἀσέλγεια [aselgeia] as of uncertain origin, meaning “licentiousness, wantonness” [766]. BDAG say it refers to “a lack of self-constraint which involves one in conduct that violates all bounds of what is socially acceptable, self- abandonment.”

Definitions According to Thayer, aselgeia describes “unbridled lust, excess, licentiousness, lasciviousness, wantonness, outrageousness, shamelessness, insolence… wanton (acts or) manners, as filthy words, indecent bodily movements, unchaste handling of males and females, etc.”

Occurrences The Greek word aselgeia occurs 10 times in 10 Bible verses (Mark 7:22; Rom. 13:13; 2 Cor. 12:21; Gal. 5:19; Eph. 4:19; 1 Pet. 4:3; 2 Pet. 2:2, 7, 18; Jude 4). In the KJV, it is translated as “filthy,” “lasciviousness,” and “wantonness.” In the NASB, it is translated “licentiousness” (1x), “sensual”(1x), and “sensuality” (8x). Let us examine each of these occurrences in succession.

Mark 7:22 And He was saying, “That which proceeds out of the man, that is what defiles the man. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed the evil thoughts, fornications, thefts, murders, adulteries, deeds of coveting and wickedness, as well as deceit, sensuality [#766], envy, slander, pride and foolishness. All these evil things proceed from within and defile the man.” (Mark 7:20-23, NASB)

Romans 13:13 The night is almost gone, and the day is near. Therefore let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us behave properly as in the day, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and sensuality [#766], not in strife and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts. (Romans 13:12-14, NASB)

2 Corinthians 12:21 For I am afraid that perhaps when I come I may find you to be not what I wish and may be found by you to be not what you wish; that perhaps there will be strife, jealousy, angry tempers, disputes, slanders, gossip, arrogance, disturbances; I am afraid that when I come again my God may humiliate me before you, and I may mourn over many of those who have sinned in the past and not repented of the impurity, immorality and sensuality [#766] which they have practiced. (2 Corinthians 12:20-21, NASB)

Galatians 5:19 Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality [#766], idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. (Galatians 5:19-21, NASB)

Ephesians 4:19 So this I say, and affirm together with the Lord, that you walk no longer just as the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind, being darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart; and they, having become callous, have given themselves over to sensuality [#766] for the practice of every kind of impurity with greediness. (Ephesians 4:17-19, NASB)

1 Peter 4:3 Therefore, since Christ has suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same purpose, because he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, so as to live the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for the lusts of men, but for the will of God. For the time already past is sufficient for you to have carried out the desire of the Gentiles, having pursued a course of sensuality [#766], lusts, drunkenness, carousing, drinking parties and abominable idolatries. In all this, they are surprised that you do not run with them into the same excesses of dissipation, and they malign you; but they will give account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. (1 Peter 4:1-5, NASB)

2 Peter 2:2 But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves. Many will follow their sensuality [#766], and because of them the way of the truth will be maligned; and in their greed they will exploit you with false words; their judgment from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep. (2 Peter 2:1-3, NASB)

2 Peter 2:7 For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell and committed them to pits of darkness, reserved for judgment; and did not spare the ancient world, but preserved Noah, a preacher of righteousness, with seven others, when He brought a flood upon the world of the ungodly; and if He condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah to destruction by reducing them to ashes, having made them an example to those who would live ungodly lives thereafter; and if He rescued righteous Lot, oppressed by the sensual [#766] conduct of unprincipled men (for by what he saw and heard that righteous man, while living among them, felt his righteous soul tormented day after day by their lawless deeds), then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from temptation, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment for the day of judgment, (2 Peter 2:4-9, NASB)

2 Peter 2:18 For speaking out arrogant words of vanity they entice by fleshly desires, by sensuality [#766], those who barely escape from the ones who live in error, promising them freedom while they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by what a man is overcome, by this he is enslaved. (2 Peter 2:18-19, NASB)

Jude vs. 4 For certain persons have crept in unnoticed, those who were long beforehand marked out for this condemnation, ungodly persons who turn the grace of our God into licentiousness [#766] and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ. (Jude vs. 4, NASB)

Relevant Application Salacious Literature & Sexually Suggestive Entertainment Petting/Unchaste Touching Dancing Immodest Clothing Cheerleading