Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Context Luxury, in the biblical context, refers to an indulgence in wealth, comfort, and extravagant living that often leads to moral and spiritual decay. The Bible frequently addresses the dangers and pitfalls associated with the pursuit of luxury, emphasizing the importance of humility, contentment, and reliance on God rather than material wealth.
Old Testament References The Old Testament provides numerous examples and warnings about the dangers of luxury. In the book of Proverbs, wisdom literature often contrasts the righteous and the wicked, highlighting the fleeting nature of wealth and luxury.
Proverbs 21:17 states, "He who loves pleasure will become poor; he who loves wine and oil will never be rich." This verse underscores the idea that the pursuit of luxury can lead to poverty and ruin.
The prophet Amos also speaks against the luxurious lifestyles of the Israelites, condemning their complacency and indulgence while neglecting justice and righteousness.
Amos 6:4-6 describes those who "lie on beds of ivory and lounge on their couches," warning that such indulgence will lead to their downfall.
New Testament Teachings In the New Testament, Jesus and the apostles continue to address the issue of luxury and wealth. Jesus warns against storing up treasures on earth, where they are subject to decay and theft, and instead encourages storing up treasures in heaven (
Matthew 6:19-21). This teaching emphasizes the transient nature of earthly wealth and the eternal value of spiritual riches.
The parable of the rich fool in
Luke 12:16-21 illustrates the folly of hoarding wealth and living in luxury without regard for one's spiritual state. The rich man, who plans to enjoy his wealth without consideration for God, is called a fool when his life is unexpectedly required of him.
The apostle Paul also addresses luxury in his epistles, urging believers to live modestly and to be content with what they have. In
1 Timothy 6:9-10, Paul warns, "Those who want to be rich, however, fall into temptation and become ensnared by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil." This passage highlights the spiritual dangers associated with the desire for wealth and luxury.
Spiritual Implications The Bible consistently presents luxury as a potential stumbling block to spiritual growth and a right relationship with God. The pursuit of luxury can lead to pride, self-reliance, and a neglect of one's spiritual duties.
James 5:1-5 warns the rich of impending judgment, urging them to weep and wail for the miseries that are coming upon them due to their indulgent lifestyles and exploitation of others.
Believers are called to live lives marked by humility, generosity, and a focus on eternal values rather than temporary pleasures. The biblical perspective on luxury encourages a heart of gratitude and contentment, recognizing that true fulfillment comes from a relationship with God rather than material abundance.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) A free indulgence in costly food, dress, furniture, or anything expensive which gratifies the appetites or tastes.
2. (n.) Anything which pleases the senses, and is also costly, or difficult to obtain; an expensive rarity; as, silks, jewels, and rare fruits are luxuries; in some countries ice is a great luxury.
3. (n.) Lechery; lust.
4. (n.) Luxuriance; exuberance.
Greek
4764. strenos -- insolent luxury ... insolent
luxury. Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration: strenos Phonetic
Spelling: (stray'-nos) Short Definition: wantonness,
luxury Definition
... 5172. truphe -- softness, daintiness, luxuriousness
... luxuriousness. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: truphe Phonetic Spelling:
(troo-fay') Short Definition: effeminate luxury Definition: effeminate ...
4684. spatalao -- to live riotously
... 4684 -- properly, to indulge in luxury (unneeded surplus). ... live in pleasure, be wanton.
From spatale (luxury); to be voluptuous -- live in pleasure, be wanton. ...
5171. truphao -- to live luxuriously
... indulgently. Cognate: 5171 (from 5172 , "breakdown of character from living
in luxury") -- to live indulgently (luxuriously). See 5172 (). ...
4763. streniao -- to run riot
... revel, riot. Cognate: 4763 -- living in sensual, lustful behavior, ie in
self-indulgence (wanton luxury). See 4764 (). Word Origin ...
Strong's Hebrew
8588. taanug -- daintiness, luxury, exquisite delight... 8587, 8588. taanug. 8589 . daintiness,
luxury, exquisite delight. Transliteration:
taanug Phonetic Spelling: (tah-an-oog') Short Definition: charms.
... 5730a. eden -- a luxury, dainty, delight
... 5730, 5730a. eden. 5730b . a luxury, dainty, delight. Transliteration:
eden Short Definition: delicacies. Word Origin from an unused ...
5730. eden -- a luxury, dainty, delight
... 5729, 5730. eden. 5730a . a luxury, dainty, delight. Transliteration: eden
Phonetic Spelling: (ay'-den) Short Definition: delicate. delicate, delight, pleasure ...
6027. oneg -- daintiness, exquisite delight
... luxurious (1). delight, pleasant. From anag; luxury -- delight, pleasant. see
HEBREW anag. 6026, 6027. oneg. 6028 . Strong's Numbers.
Library
Psalm 78 Part 3 the Punishment of Luxury and Intemperance.
... THE PSALMS OF DAVID PSALM 78 PART 3 The punishment of luxury and
intemperance. CM The punishment of luxury and intemperance. ...
Argument. --But, on the Ground that Liberty in Meats is Granted to ...
... Argument."But, on the Ground that Liberty in Meats is Granted to Us, There is No
Permission of Luxury, There is No Taking Away of Continence and Fasting: for ...
Next He Reproaches them with their Luxury in Seeking Pleasure for ...
... Book 4 Chapter 19. Next he reproaches them with their luxury in seeking
pleasure for the sense of? 19. Next he reproaches them ...
Psalm 78:3. Third Part. The Punishment of Luxury and Intemperance ...
... THE Psalms of David, In Metre. Psalm 78:3. Third Part. The punishment of
luxury and intemperance; or, Chastisement and salvation. ...
That those who Complain of Christianity Really Desire to Live ...
... The City of God.Book I. Chapter 30."That Those Who Complain of Christianity
Really Desire to Live Without Restraint in Shameful Luxury. ...
Of the Two Classes of Voluptuous Men, and of their Death, Falling ...
... [290] ]. Chap. II. And he said to me, "Do you see this shepherd?" "I see him, sir,"
I said. "This," he answered, "is the angel [291] of luxury and deceit: he ...
Of the Corruption which had Grown Upon the Roman Republic Before ...
... manners, instead of undergoing insensible alteration, as hitherto they had done,
were swept away as by a torrent; and how depraved by luxury and avarice the ...
Matt. x. 7, 8, 9
... Much less could any one say this, that he was indeed firm, but having made
himself a slave to luxury, he afterwards became languid. ...
How to Use the Present Life, and the Comforts of It.
... There have been some good and holy men who, when they saw intemperance and luxury
perpetually carried to excess, if not strictly curbed, and were desirous to ...
Argument. --To These Things Also was Added Another Reason for ...
... And such moderation is always found to be approximate to religion, nay, so to speak,
rather related and akin to it; for luxury is inimical to holiness. ...
Thesaurus
Luxury (8 Occurrences)... and is also costly, or difficult to obtain; an expensive rarity; as, silks, jewels,
and rare fruits are luxuries; in some countries ice is a great
luxury.
...Luxurious (9 Occurrences)
... (a.) of or pertaining to luxury; ministering to luxury; supplied with the conditions
of luxury; as, a luxurious life; a luxurious table; luxurious ease. ...
Delicacy (1 Occurrence)
... for earnest action. 4. (a.) Addiction to pleasure; luxury; daintiness;
indulgence; luxurious or voluptuous treatment. 5. (a.) Nice ...
Bedstead (1 Occurrence)
... Songs 3:10); but it all came about as a natural, as well as artificial development,
with changed conditions and contacts and increasing civilization and luxury...
Bedchamber (6 Occurrences)
... Songs 3:10); but it all came about as a natural, as well as artificial development,
with changed conditions and contacts and increasing civilization and luxury...
Bed (142 Occurrences)
... Songs 3:10); but it all came about as a natural, as well as artificial development,
with changed conditions and contacts and increasing civilization and luxury...
Linen (111 Occurrences)
... The word "linen" is used as an emblem of moral purity (Revelation 15:6). In Luke
16:19 it is mentioned as a Mark of luxury. Noah Webster's Dictionary. ...
Revel (6 Occurrences)
... Revelation 18:7 She has freely glorified herself and revelled in luxury;
equally freely administer torment to her, and woe. For ...
Revelled (2 Occurrences)
... Revelled (2 Occurrences). Revelation 18:7 She has freely glorified herself and revelled
in luxury; equally freely administer torment to her, and woe. ...
Snow (25 Occurrences)
... It was "carried to Tyre, Sidon, and Damascus as a luxury, and labourers sweltering
in the hot harvest-fields used it for the purpose of cooling the water which ...
Resources
Does the Bible say anything that would apply to getting a massage/massage therapy? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is Epicureanism? What did Epicurus teach? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is Buddhism and what do Buddhists believe? | GotQuestions.orgLuxury: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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