ἀσέλγεια
Licentiousness (sometimes including other vices)
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What does ἀσέλγεια (asélgeia) mean in the Bible?
ἀσέλγεια (asélgeia) is a Greek word meaning "licentiousness (sometimes including other vices)". ἀσέλγεια, -ας, ἡ (ἀσελγής, licentious; see MM, see word), [in LXX: Wis. Defines the error as ethical corruption. Grace is being weaponized to excuse rebellion.
Full entry for ἀσέλγεια (G766) · Browse the biblical lexicon
Meaning
Wanton excess in sexual conduct and shameless disregard for moral restraint or decency.
(ἀσελγής, licentious; see MM, see word), [in LXX: Wis.14:26, 3Ma.2:26 * ;] licentiousness, wantonness, excess: Mrk.7:22, Rom.13:13, 2Co.12:21, Gal.5:19 (Lft., in l), Eph.4:19, 1Pe.4:3, 2Pe.2:2 2:7 2:18, Ju 4.
Why This Word Matters
Defines the error as ethical corruption. Grace is being weaponized to excuse rebellion.
Identifies the nature of the distortion, grace is being twisted into permission for unholy living. Jude 1:1–4
Grammatical Forms
How this word appears across different grammatical cases and numbers.
Biblical Occurrences
Each occurrence shows the passage reference, the original language term as it appears in that context, its transliteration, and the contextual sense.
Additional Occurrences
Word Pictures (Robertson)
A.T. Robertson's Word Pictures in the New Testament (1930–31) discusses this term in the following chapters. Open any chapter and go to the Word Pictures tab to read his verse-by-verse commentary.
A.T. Robertson, Word Pictures in the New Testament (1930–31) — public domain