Word Meanings:
Greek and English
Introduction:
Without knowing the meaning of these words, how can we be sure to avoid the sin that they mention?
Acts 8 - “How can I except some man guide me?”
This study will look at the meaning of these words – in original Greek and English
This study will focus on nine passages where there are lists of sins.
In these lists we must note that sins that are similar are grouped together. Even if a word might have more than one meaning, the meaning in a passage must fit the context of the words that surround it.
NOTE: First word is from NKJV; second word (if different from NKJV) or phrase is KJV.
1 Peter 4:3
|
Word |
Strong's Number |
Greek (T)hayer, (S)trong's |
English |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lewdness / Lascivious |
766 |
unbridled lust, excess, licentiousness, lasciviousness, wantonness, outrageousness, shamelessness, insolence (T) |
Inclined to, characterized by, or inciting lust or lechery; obscene or indecent, as language or songs When my actions, dress, speech, or behavior cause another to lust; |
|
Lusts |
1939 |
desire, craving, longing, desire for what is forbidden, lust (T) |
A passionate or overwhelming desire; uncontrolled or illicit appetite We have many “appetites” - food, sex, air, freedom, water – All are good – under control (limitations) |
|
Drunkenness |
3632 |
an overflow (or surplus) of wine, drunkenness: - excess of wine. (S) |
Having one's facilities impaired by an excess of alcohol Drunk – lack of judgment |
|
Revelries |
2970 |
a nocturnal and riotous procession of half drunken and frolicsome fellows who after supper parade through the streets with torches and music in honor of Bacchus or some other deity, and sing and play before houses of male and female friends; hence used generally of feasts and drinking parties that are protracted till late at night and indulge in revelry (T) |
To make merry; indulge in boisterous festivities; a noisy festival with dancing, loud music
Drunk – happy drunk |
|
Drinking parties / Banquetings |
4224 |
a drinking bout or carousal: - banqueting (S) a drinking, carousing (T) |
Drinking matches; drinking bouts or contests; binge drinking Drunk – party drunk, New Year's Eve |
|
Abominable |
111 |
contrary to law and justice, prohibited by law, illicit, criminal (T) illegal; abominable, unlawful thing (S) |
Hateful, detestable, loathsome; abhorrent, horrible, revolting, foul
Moral people would detest, and find this behavior revolting, horrible. Some “crimes” are even horrible to criminals – Convicts don't like child molesters |
|
Idolatries |
1495 |
1) the worship of false gods, idolatry 2) in the plural, the vices springing from idolatry and peculiar to it (T) |
Worshiper of idols; a person who is devoted admirer Idol – An image worshiped as deity; or anything that becomes as a god – money, power, fame, position |
1 Timothy 6:3-6
|
Word |
Strong's Number |
Greek (T)hayer, (S)trong's |
English |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Proud |
5187 |
1) to raise a smoke, to wrap in a mist 1a) metaphorically, to make proud, puff up with pride, render insolent, to be puffed up with haughtiness or pride 2) to blind with pride or conceit, to render foolish or stupid, beclouded, besotted(T) high-minded, be lifted up with pride, be proud. (S) |
Good pride – pride in accomplishment, pride in
others, pride in yourself (self-esteem)
Evil pride – think more highly than you ought to think, superior attitude |
|
Knowing Nothing |
1987 |
1) to put one’s attention on, fix one’s thoughts on, to turn one’s self or one’s mind to, put one’s thought upon a thing 1a) to be acquainted with, to understand 1b) to know (T) to put the mind upon, that is, comprehend, or be acquainted with: (S) |
Some people act without thinking – that is the idea here. Think BEFORE you speak or act. Understand what you are doing the consequences of your actions. |
|
Obsessed with Disputes / Doting about Questions |
Doting 3552
Questions 2214 |
1) to be sick 2) metaphorically of any ailment of the mind 2a) to be taken with such an interest in a thing as amounts to a disease, to have a morbid fondness for 1) a seeking 2) inquiry 3) a questioning, debate 4) a subject of questioning or debate, matter of controversy |
Many have a rebellious mind. When a sermon is preached, they look for some point to argue. They look for the weak point and argue it.
Questions are good. Seeking information, learning, growing are god traits. Always wanting to debate every point. Some will play “devils advocate” just to stir up something. |
|
Arguments over words |
3055 |
1) to contend about words 2) to wrangle about empty and trifling matters |
Words only have meaning in the context. The word might have another meaning in another context or setting. Some words are important. Some do not change the meaning at all. Example: John 3:16 “Believe in” or believe on” |
|
Envy |
5355 |
Envy is uneasiness, pain, mortification, or discontent, excited by another’s prosperity, or by his superior knowledge or possessions (Barnes) |
Envy and jealousy are sometimes synonyms. Are you unhappy that another got the promotion, won the door prize, or some other fortune? |
|
Strife |
2054 |
contention, strife, wrangling |
Always picking a fight – produce friction, cause division, keep things stirred up |
|
Railings |
988 |
Blasphemia = blasphemy 1) slander, detraction, speech injurious, to another’s good name 2) impious and reproachful speech injurious to divine majesty |
More than just speaking against some idea or person. This is speech that injures, harms, defames.
In reference to deity – speech that ridicules, degrades, or opposes |
|
Evil Suspicions/ Surmising |
5283 |
to surmise, to suspect (RWP) groundless suspicions (Gill) |
Groundless suspicions is the important part of this word. Not just a suspicion, but without merit. |
|
Useless Wrangling / Perverse Disputing |
3859 |
useless occupation, empty business, misemployment (T) meddlesomeness (S) |
Sticking our nose where it does not belong; trying to meddle in affairs that are not our business |
|
Corrupt Minds |
Corrupt 1311
mind 3563 |
to rot thoroughly, that is, (by implication) to ruin (passively decay utterly, figuratively pervert): - corrupt, destroy, perish. (S)
the mind, comprising alike the faculties of perceiving and understanding and those of feeling, judging, determining (T) |
Rotten, decaying, corrupt thinking.
God gave us the ability to think, reason, understand, and make judgments. We must not allow that process to become corrupt.
|
Galatians 5:19-21
Robertson's Word Pictures of the New Testament - He makes the two lists in explanation of the conflict in Gal_5:17 to emphasize the command in Gal_5:13. There are four groups in Paul’s list of manifest vices:
Sensual sins like fornication (porneia, prostitution, harlotry), uncleanness (akatharsia, moral impurity), lasciviousness (aselgeia, wantonness), sexual vice of all kinds prevailed in heathenism.
Idolatry (eidōlatreia, worship of idols) and witchcraft (pharmakeia from pharmakon, a drug, the ministering of drugs), but the sorcerers monopolized the word for a while in their magical arts and used it in connection with idolatry. In N.T. only here and Rev_18:23. See note on Act_19:19 perierga, curious arts.
Personal relations expressed by eight words, all old words, sins of the spirit, like enmities (exthrai, personal animosities), strife (eris, rivalry, discord), jealousies (zēlos or zēloi, MSS. vary, our very word), wraths (thumoi, stirring emotions, then explosions), factions (eritheiai, from erithos, day labourer for hire, worker in wool, party spirit), divisions (dichostasiai, splits in two, dicha and stasis), heresies (haireseis, the very word, but really choosings from haireomai, preferences), envyings (phthonoi, feelings of ill-will). Surely a lively list.
Drunkenness (methai, old word and plural, drunken excesses, in N.T. only here and Luk_21:34; Rom_13:13), revellings (kōmoi, old word also for drinking parties like those in honour of Bacchus, in N.T. only here and Rom_13:13; 1Pe_4:3).
And such like (kai ta homoia toutois). And the things like these (associative instrumental toutois after homoia, like). It is not meant to be exhaustive, but it is representative.
|
Word |
Strong's Number |
Greek (T)hayer, (S)trong's |
English |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Sensual Sins |
|||
|
Adultery |
3430 |
it is a defilement of the marriage bed, and is the sin of uncleanness committed by two persons, one of which at least is in a married state, is condemned by the law of God and light of nature (Gill) |
A married person having sex with anyone (married or single) other than their mate. |
|
Fornication |
4202 |
1) illicit sexual intercourse 1a) adultery, fornication, homosexuality, lesbianism, intercourse with animals etc. 1b) sexual intercourse with close relatives; Lev. 18 1c) sexual intercourse with a divorced man or woman; (T) |
Umbrella word – includes all types of
wrong sexual intercourse; Adultery, Homosexual, rape, incest, prostitution, necromancy, lesbianism, premarital, pedophile, bestiality, necrophilia, cohabitation, etc.
|
|
Uncleanness |
167 |
in a moral sense: the impurity of lustful, luxurious, profligate living (T) |
Everything else – sexual sins short of intercourse |
|
Lewdness / Lascivious |
766 |
unbridled lust, excess, licentiousness, lasciviousness, wantonness, outrageousness, shamelessness, insolence (T) |
Already studied this word |
|
Idolatry Related |
|||
|
Idolatry |
1495 |
the worship of false gods, idolatry (T) |
Already studied this word |
|
Sorcery / Witchcraft |
5331 |
1) the use or the administering of drugs 2) sorcery, magical arts, often found in connection with idolatry and fostered by it |
Pharmakeia – origin of words like pharmacy, pharmacist The use of potions, drugs in connection with rituals and witchcraft |
|
Personal Relations |
|||
|
Hatred |
2189 |
hostility; by implication a reason for opposition: - enmity, hatred. (S) |
Not just a dislike – but a hostility toward – outward or inward |
|
Contentions / Variance |
2054 |
a quarrel, that is, (by implication) wrangling: - contention, debate, strife, variance.(S) |
Already studied this word |
|
Jealousies / Emulations |
2205 |
properly heat, that is, (figuratively) “zeal” (in a favorable sense, ardor; in an unfavorable one, jealousy, as of a husband [figuratively of God], or an enemy, malice): - emulation, envy (-ing), fervent mind, indignation, jealousy, zeal. (S) |
Envy – displeasure at the fortune of another
Jealous – desire to protect what you have from being taken away Words often used synonymously |
|
Wrath |
2372 |
passion, angry, heat, anger forthwith boiling up and soon subsiding again (T) |
Wrath – flare up, quickly rises, quickly
subsides Anger – slow burn, slow to subside |
|
Selfish ambitions / Strife |
2052 |
apparently, in the NT a courting distinction, a desire to put one’s self forward, a partisan and fractious spirit which does not disdain low arts, partisanship, fractiousness (T) |
An inordinate desire to get ahead at the expense of others. Trampling on others to get what you want. |
|
Dissensions / Seditions |
1370 |
disunion, that is, (figuratively) dissension: - division, sedition (S) |
God hates own who causes division. See Romans 16:17. |
|
Heresies |
139 |
properly a choice, that is, (specifically) a party or (abstractly) disunion. (“heresy” is the Greek word itself.): - heresy [which is the Greek word itself], sect (S) |
To divide by party, group, teaching, position. Christians can be Rep. Or Dem.; eat meat or vegetarian; agree with me or not – Don't segment the church |
|
Envy |
5355 |
Uneasy distressing tortures of the mind, grieving at the good of others, that any should be in an equal, or in a better condition than themselves (Gill) |
Already studied this word |
|
Murderers |
5406 |
Murder signifies the destruction of human life; and as he who hates his brother in his heart is ready to take away his life, so he is called a murderer. After all the casuistry of man, it does not appear that the right of taking away a human life on any pretense, except for the crime of murder belongs to any but the Maker and Judge of all men (Clarke) |
The word is not “kill” but “murder” = the deliberate taking of a human life. Capital punishment – exception Abortion = murder
|
|
Drinking |
|||
|
Drunkenness |
3178 |
excess in drinking of wine or strong drink, whereby the stomach is overcharged, the mind is intoxicated, and the body enfeebled and unable to perform its office; this is often the source of many, or all of the works of the flesh before mentioned: (Gill) |
Methe – Methane, Methanol – All forms of alcohol – by implication the intake and result of intake of alcohol See the study of 1 Peter 4 – first of this study for a several words for drunkenness in various degrees. |
|
Revelings |
2970 |
a nocturnal and riotous procession of half drunken and frolicsome fellows who after supper parade through the streets with torches and music in honour of Bacchus or some other deity, and sing and play before houses of male and female friends; hence used generally of feasts and drinking parties that are protracted till late at night and indulge in revelry (T) |
Already studied this word |
Ephesians 5:3-6
|
Word |
Strong's Number |
Greek (T)hayer, (S)trong's |
English |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Fornication |
4202 |
|
Already studied this word |
|
Uncleanness |
167 |
uncleanness 1a) physical 1b) in a moral sense: the impurity of lustful, luxurious, profligate living, of impure motives (T) |
Already studied this word |
|
Covetousness |
4124 |
greedy desire to have more, covetousness, avarice (T) |
The primary idea is GREED – not just desire Gambling = greed (wealth) Stealing = greed (things) Cheating = greed (grades in school) |
|
Filthiness |
151 |
Obscenity (T) |
Anything obscene - speech, pictures, gestures Internet porn – Phone sex – dirty jokes - “adult” books |
|
Foolish talking |
3473 |
Talk which is both foolish and sinful. Compare corrupt communication, Eph_4:29. It is more than random or idle talk. “Words obtain a new earnestness when assumed into the ethical terminology of Christ's school. Nor, in seeking to enter fully into the meaning of this one, ought we to leave out of sight the greater emphasis which the words fool, foolish, folly obtain in Scripture than elsewhere they have or can have” (Trench). |
Difficult to define this term
Corrupt – rotten, filthy talk “corrupt communication (Ephesians 4:29)
We all engage in “small talk”, chatter while in check-out line, just conversation in the foyer. Study the word “fool” in both OT and NT. Not just silly or foolish, but stupid, ignorant, damaging, harmful.
|
|
Jesting |
2160 |
nimbleness of wit, quickness in making repartee, but in low sense as here ribaldry, vulgarity, only here in N.T. (RWP) |
Sense of humor = OK Low, vulgar, harmful, injurious to others = wrong |
|
Fornicator / Whoremonger |
4205 |
a man who indulges in unlawful sexual intercourse, a fornicator (T) |
Already studied this word |
|
Unclean |
169 |
in a moral sense: unclean in thought and life (T) |
Already studied this word |
|
2756 |
empty, vain, devoid of truth, of places, vessels, etc. which contain nothing, of men; empty handed, without a gift; metaphorically destitute of spiritual wealth, of one who boasts of his faith as a transcendent possession, yet is without the fruits of faith; metaphorically of endeavors, labors, acts, which result in nothing, vain, fruitless, without effect, vain of no purpose (T) |
Politicians often talk for 10 minutes and say nothing (preachers?) After the talk – what is left in your strainer? That which produces nothing good or of value, not gift, empty Idle = engine running – but not going anywhere
|
1 Corinthians 5:9-11
|
Word |
Strong's Number |
Greek (T)hayer, (S)trong's |
English |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Sexually immoral / Fornication |
4205 |
a man who indulges in unlawful sexual intercourse, a fornicator (T) |
Already studied this word |
|
Covetous |
4123 |
1) one eager to have more, especially what belongs to others 2) greedy of gain, covetous (T) |
Already studied this word |
|
Extortion |
727 |
a extortioner, a robber (T)
|
Bandits, hijackers, grafters they would be called today. (RWP) To obtain by fraud, deception |
|
Idolater |
1496 |
a worshiper of false gods, a idolater, used of any one even Christian, participant in any way in the worship of the heathen, especially one who attends their sacrificial feasts and eats of the remains of offered victims (T) |
Already studied this word |
|
Railer |
3060 |
to reproach, rail at, revile, heap abuse upon (T) |
The buzz word today is “verbal abuse” Parents – heap abuse on child – dumb, stupid, no good, lazy Often becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy – They grow up with these ideas ingrained in their thinking |
|
Drunkard |
3183 |
drunken, intoxicated (T) |
Already studied this word |
1 Corinthians 6:9-11
|
Word |
Strong's Number |
Greek (T)hayer, (S)trong's |
English |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Unrighteous |
94 |
descriptive of one who violates or has violated justice, unjust, unrighteous, sinful; of one who deals fraudulently with others, deceitful |
Just = even, exact Not just, not fair, not exact, does not measure up, short of the goal Romans 3:23 - “come short” |
|
Fornicators |
4205 |
a man who indulges in unlawful sexual intercourse, a fornicator |
Already studied this word |
|
Idolater |
1496 |
used of any one even Christian, participant in any way in the worship of the heathen, especially one who attends their sacrificial feasts and eats of the remains of offered victims |
Already studied this word |
|
Effeminate |
3120 |
soft, soft to the touch, of a catamite; (a boy kept for homosexual relations with a man); of a male who submits his body to unnatural lewdness; of a male prostitute |
Catamite = one who keeps a young boy sexual relations Homosexual – more specifically, pedophile - NAMBLA – North American Man/Boy Love Association |
|
Abusers of themselves |
733 |
one who lies with a male as with a female, sodomite, homosexual |
Homosexuality, Sodomy, Lesbianism |
|
Thieves |
2812 |
an embezzler, pilferer |
Taking by force |
|
Revilers |
3060 |
who are free with other men's characters, load them with reproaches, and take away their good names; either openly or secretly, either by tale bearing, whispering, and backbiting, or by raising and spreading scandalous reports in a public manner. (Gill) |
Already studied this word |
|
Extortioners |
727 |
plunderers of men's substance in an open and forcible way; or who extort unlawful gain: |
Already studied this word |
|
WERE |
2258 [5713] |
|
Imperfect – continuous action in past time |
Matthew 15:18-19
|
Word |
Strong's Number |
Greek (T)hayer, (S)trong's |
English |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Evil Thoughts |
Evil 4190
Thoughts 1261 |
bad, of a bad nature or condition, in an ethical sense: evil wicked, bad
1) the thinking of a man deliberating with himself, a thought, inward reasoning, purpose, design 2) a deliberating, questioning about what is true, hesitation, doubting, disputing, arguing |
Some sins are external actions This one is internal – bad thoughts, inward reasoning that is wrong, harmful, dangerous
|
|
Fornication |
4202 |
illicit sexual intercourse; adultery, fornication, homosexuality, lesbianism, intercourse with animals etc.; sexual intercourse with close relatives; Lev. 18; sexual intercourse with a divorced man or woman; |
Already studied this word |
|
False witness |
5577 |
false witness, false testimony |
Perjury in a court room |
|
Blasphemies |
988 |
1) slander, detraction, speech injurious, to another’s good name 2) impious and reproachful speech injurious to divine majesty |
Different than blasphemy – This any speech that is slanderous, harms the name or reputation of others |
Revelation 21:8
|
Word |
Strong's Number |
Greek (T)hayer, (S)trong's |
English |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Fearful |
1169 |
timid, fearful |
Afraid to act |
|
Unbelieving |
571 |
unbelieving, incredulous; without trust (in God) |
Does not believe, does not act on what he does believe |
|
Abominable |
948 |
to turn one’s self away from on account of the stench; metaphorically to abhor, detest |
A rejection, turning away from what you know is right or good |
|
Murderers |
5406 |
a murderer, a homicide |
Already studied this word |
|
Whoremonger |
4205 |
|
Already studied this word |
|
Sorcerers |
5332 |
one who prepares or uses magical remedies |
Already studied this word |
|
Idolaters |
1496 |
a worshiper of false gods, a idolater |
Already studied this word |
|
Liars |
5571 |
lying, deceitful, false |
Already studied this word |
Romans 13:13
|
Word |
Strong's Number |
Greek (T)hayer, (S)trong's |
English |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lewdness / Chambering |
2845 |
1) a place for laying down, resting, sleeping in, a bed, couch 2) the marriage bed, of adultery 3) cohabitation, whether lawful or unlawful, sexual intercourse |
Sins of the marriage bed – any violation of the marriage vow |
|
Lust / Wantonness |
766 |
unbridled lust, excess, licentiousness, lasciviousness, wantonness, outrageousness, shamelessness, insolence |
Already studied this word |
|
Strife |
2052 |
contention, strife, wrangling |
Already studied this word |
|
Envying |
2205 |
an envious and contentious rivalry, jealousy |
Already studied this word |