As a result of this condition, unsaved Gentiles typically give themselves over to lives of sensual self-indulgence (cf. Romans 1:24-28). The Greek word aselgeia, translated "sensuality," contains the idea of wanton violence. [1] Greediness (pleonexia) refers to an increasing desire for more. [source][source][source]
Context Summary
Ephesians 4:11-19 - Building Up The "body Of Christ"
Apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, are the gifts of the risen Christ to His Church. There should be no rivalry among them. Each has his own work to do, as each wheel in a watch has its special function. None can do the work of another, and none should try to do it. The Apostles laid the foundations of the City of God, and the work of each is represented by a different stone. The pastor prepares the ground and sows the seed for the harvest which the evangelist reaps; but God will proportion the reward between them. The teacher is as much needed as the evangelist, but neither is so essential as God, who giveth the increase. Without that all labor would be in vain.
We learn from Ephesians 4:12 that the prime duty of all these agents is not to baptize, marry, and bury the saints, to comfort and console them, and to get them somehow into heaven, as the Arab guides get travelers to the top of the Pyramids. Their duty is to perfect, that is, to adjust the saints for the work of ministry, that they may contribute to the building up of the Church. A minister is a failure if he does all the work himself. The people must all be at work-in the quarries, or shaping the stones, or fitting them into their places. [source]
Chapter Summary: Ephesians 4
1He exhorts to unity; 7and declares that God therefore gives various gifts unto men; 11that his church might be edified, 16and grow up in Christ 18He calls them from the impurity of the Gentiles; 24to put on the new man; 25to cast off lying; 29and corrupt communication
Greek Commentary for Ephesians 4:19
Being past feeling [απηλγηκοτες] Perfect active participle of απαλγεω apalgeō old word to cease to feel pain, only here in N.T. [source]
To lasciviousness [τηι ασελγειαι] Unbridled lust as in 2 Corinthians 12:21; Galatians 5:19. To work all uncleanness (εις εργασιαν ακαταρσιας πασης eis ergasian akatharsias pasēs). Perhaps prostitution, “for a trading (or work) in all uncleanness.” Certainly Corinth and Ephesus could qualify for this charge. With greediness From πλεονεκτης pleonektēs one who always wants more whether money or sexual indulgence as here. The two vices are often connected in the N.T. [source]
To work all uncleanness [εις εργασιαν ακαταρσιας πασης] Perhaps prostitution, “for a trading (or work) in all uncleanness.” Certainly Corinth and Ephesus could qualify for this charge. [source]
With greediness [εν πλεονεχιαι] From πλεονεκτης pleonektēs one who always wants more whether money or sexual indulgence as here. The two vices are often connected in the N.T. [source]
Who [οἵτινες] Explanatory and classifying: men of the class which. [source]
Being past feeling [ἀπηλγηκοτες] Only here in the New Testament. Lit, the verb means to cease from feeling pain. Hence to be apathetic. [source]
To work [εἰς ἐργασίαν] Lit., to a working. In Acts 19:25, used of a trade. Not precisely in this sense here, yet with a shade of it. They gave themselves up as to the prosecution of a business. The εἰς untois very forcible. [source]
With greediness [ἐν πλεονεξίᾳ] The noun commonly rendered covetousness: in an eager grasping after more and more uncleanness. Not with, but in, as the state of mind in which they wrought evil. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Ephesians 4:19
Colossians 3:5Mortify [νεκρωσατε] First aorist active imperative of νεκροω nekroō late verb, to put to death, to treat as dead. Latin Vulgate mortifico, but “mortify” is coming with us to mean putrify. Paul boldly applies the metaphor of death (Colossians 2:20; Colossians 3:3) pictured in baptism (Colossians 2:12) to the actual life of the Christian. He is not to go to the other Gnostic extreme of license on the plea that the soul is not affected by the deeds of the body. Paul‘s idea is that the body is the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19). He mentions some of these “members upon the earth” like fornication See the longer list of the works of the flesh in Galatians 5:19-21, though covetousness is not there named, but it is in Ephesians 4:19; Ephesians 5:5. [source]
1 Thessalonians 2:3Of uncleanness [ἐξ ἀκαθαρσίας] Ἀκαθαρσία in Matthew 23:27of the corruption of the sepulchre. Elsewhere in N.T. of sensual impurity. See Romans 1:24; 2 Corinthians 12:21; Ephesians 4:19. Here in the sense of impurity on the side of sordidness. In Ephesians 4:19, Paul speaks of working uncleanness ( ἀκαθαρσίαν ) in a spirit of selfish desire ( πλεονεξία ) which is the spirit of covetousness. In Ephesians 5:3, uncleanness and covetousness are closely associated. Paul means that his exhortation did not proceed from greed for gain or lust for power. [source]
What do the individual words in Ephesians 4:19 mean?
whohaving cast off all feelingthemselveshave given uptosensualityfor[the] workingof impurityallwithgreediness
Greek Commentary for Ephesians 4:19
Perfect active participle of απαλγεω apalgeō old word to cease to feel pain, only here in N.T. [source]
Unbridled lust as in 2 Corinthians 12:21; Galatians 5:19. To work all uncleanness (εις εργασιαν ακαταρσιας πασης eis ergasian akatharsias pasēs). Perhaps prostitution, “for a trading (or work) in all uncleanness.” Certainly Corinth and Ephesus could qualify for this charge. With greediness From πλεονεκτης pleonektēs one who always wants more whether money or sexual indulgence as here. The two vices are often connected in the N.T. [source]
Perhaps prostitution, “for a trading (or work) in all uncleanness.” Certainly Corinth and Ephesus could qualify for this charge. [source]
From πλεονεκτης pleonektēs one who always wants more whether money or sexual indulgence as here. The two vices are often connected in the N.T. [source]
Explanatory and classifying: men of the class which. [source]
Only here in the New Testament. Lit, the verb means to cease from feeling pain. Hence to be apathetic. [source]
See on Matthew 4:12; see on Matthew 11:27; see on Matthew 26:2; see on Mark 4:29; see on Luke 1:2; see on 1 Peter 2:23. The verb is frequently used of Christ giving Himself for the world. Romans 4:25; Galatians 2:20; Ephesians 5:5, Ephesians 5:25. It indicates a complete surrender. Meyer says, “with frightful emphasis.” Where men persistently give themselves up to evil, God gives them up to its power. See Romans 1:24. [source]
See on Mark 7:22. [source]
Lit., to a working. In Acts 19:25, used of a trade. Not precisely in this sense here, yet with a shade of it. They gave themselves up as to the prosecution of a business. The εἰς untois very forcible. [source]
The noun commonly rendered covetousness: in an eager grasping after more and more uncleanness. Not with, but in, as the state of mind in which they wrought evil. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Ephesians 4:19
See on Matthew 4:12; see on 1 Peter 2:23. Used of casting into prison or delivering to justice, Matthew 4:12; Matthew 10:17, Matthew 19:21. Frequently of the betrayal of Christ, Matthew 10:4; Matthew 17:22; John 6:64, John 6:71. Of committing a trust, Matthew 25:14, Matthew 25:20, Matthew 25:22. Of committing tradition, doctrine, or precept, Mark 7:13; 1 Corinthians 11:2; 1 Corinthians 15:3; Romans 6:17; 2 Peter 2:21. Of Christ's yielding up His spirit, John 19:30. Of the surrender of Christ and His followers to death, Romans 8:32; 2 Corinthians 4:11; Galatians 2:20. Of giving over to evil, Romans 1:26, Romans 1:28; 1 Corinthians 5:5; Ephesians 4:19. [source]
First aorist active imperative of νεκροω nekroō late verb, to put to death, to treat as dead. Latin Vulgate mortifico, but “mortify” is coming with us to mean putrify. Paul boldly applies the metaphor of death (Colossians 2:20; Colossians 3:3) pictured in baptism (Colossians 2:12) to the actual life of the Christian. He is not to go to the other Gnostic extreme of license on the plea that the soul is not affected by the deeds of the body. Paul‘s idea is that the body is the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19). He mentions some of these “members upon the earth” like fornication See the longer list of the works of the flesh in Galatians 5:19-21, though covetousness is not there named, but it is in Ephesians 4:19; Ephesians 5:5. [source]
Ἀκαθαρσία in Matthew 23:27of the corruption of the sepulchre. Elsewhere in N.T. of sensual impurity. See Romans 1:24; 2 Corinthians 12:21; Ephesians 4:19. Here in the sense of impurity on the side of sordidness. In Ephesians 4:19, Paul speaks of working uncleanness ( ἀκαθαρσίαν ) in a spirit of selfish desire ( πλεονεξία ) which is the spirit of covetousness. In Ephesians 5:3, uncleanness and covetousness are closely associated. Paul means that his exhortation did not proceed from greed for gain or lust for power. [source]