word meaning · kjv
Debauchery in the Bible
What does the Bible say about debauchery? The Greek word aselgeia — translated 'lasciviousness' in KJV — appears 10 times in the New Testament.
What Does "Debauchery" Mean in the Bible?
The English word "debauchery" — used in modern Bible translations such as the NIV and ESV — corresponds to the Greek ἀσέλγεια (aselgeia, Strong's G766). The KJV more often renders this word as "lasciviousness" or "wantonness."
The Greek Original: Aselgeia
Classical and New Testament Greek lexicons (BDAG, Thayer's) define aselgeia as:
- "unbridled lust, licentiousness, wantonness"
- "indulgence in sensual pleasure without restraint"
- "shameless, audacious behavior that flaunts propriety"
The etymology is debated, but the core idea is behavior without restraint — particularly, though not exclusively, sexual. The word can also describe outrageous conduct in general.
Frequency in the New Testament
Aselgeia appears 10 times in the New Testament:
- Mark 7:22 — Jesus lists it among the defilements that come out of the human heart (KJV: "lasciviousness")
- Romans 13:13 — "not in chambering and wantonness"
- 2 Corinthians 12:21 — Paul's concern about the Corinthians
- Galatians 5:19 — listed among the "works of the flesh"
- Ephesians 4:19 — "Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness"
- 1 Peter 4:3 — "when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts"
- 2 Peter 2:2, 7, 18 — three times, describing "filthy conversation of the wicked" and the condition of Sodom
- Jude 1:4 — false teachers "turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness"
In the Lists of Vices
The New Testament frequently groups aselgeia with other named vices. In Galatians 5:19–21, it appears in the "works of the flesh" alongside "adultery, fornication, uncleanness," and others. In Mark 7:21–22, Jesus lists it among things that come from within and defile a person — "evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness."
Old Testament Conceptual Parallels
The Old Testament does not have a single precise equivalent, but related Hebrew terms appear: zimmah (זִמָּה, H2154 — "lewdness, wickedness") and to'evah (תּוֹעֵבָה, H8441 — "abomination"). The narratives of Sodom (Genesis 19) and the city of Gibeah (Judges 19) are cited by later New Testament writers (2 Peter 2:7; Jude 1:7) as examples of the same unbridled conduct the word aselgeia describes.
What does 'debauchery' mean in the Bible?
The Bible addresses debauchery with deep compassion and clarity. From the Psalms to the words of Jesus, Scripture meets you in this exact feeling and offers comfort, strength, and direction. Here are the most powerful verses — each chosen because they speak directly to what you're going through.
Most Powerful Verses
Mark 7:22
“Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness:”
— Bible
Romans 13:13
“Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.”
— Bible
2 Corinthians 12:21
“And lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and that I shall bewail many which have sinned already, and have not repented of the uncleanness and fornication and lasciviousness which they have committed.”
— Bible
Galatians 5:19
“Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,”
— Bible
Galatians 5:21
“Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.”
— Bible
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Ephesians 4:19
“Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.”
1 Peter 4:3
“For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries:”
2 Peter 2:7
“And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked:”
Jude 1:4
“For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord Jesus Christ...”
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