ἐντρυφάω

I revel in, live luxuriously

Definition

ἐντρυφάω means to revel in, live luxuriously, or indulge in sensual pleasure. In the New Testament, it specifically describes a lifestyle of self-indulgent, riotous behavior that disregards moral restraint. The word carries connotations of excessive feasting and carousing, often linked with arrogance and a rejection of divine authority. Its sole biblical occurrence in 2 Peter 2:13 depicts false teachers who 'revel in the daytime'—brazenly indulging in sin without shame.

Biblical Usage

This verb appears only once in the New Testament, in 2 Peter 2:13, where it describes the conduct of false teachers. The context highlights their hedonistic lifestyle as they 'count it pleasure to revel in the daytime' (ESV), combining luxury with blatant, unashamed sin. The usage emphasizes not merely occasional indulgence but a habitual, celebratory pattern of immoral living that accompanies deceptive teaching.

Etymology

Derived from the preposition ἐν (en, meaning 'in') combined with the verb τρυφάω (tryphaō, meaning 'to live softly or luxuriously'). Τρυφάω itself relates to ideas of softness, delicacy, and lavish living. Thus, ἐντρυφάω intensifies the sense of being immersed in or thoroughly given over to luxurious, self-indulgent behavior.

Semantic Range

This word is theologically significant as it exposes the moral character of false teachers who corrupt the faith. In 2 Peter 2:13, their reveling is not just personal sin but a public testimony against God's truth, linking sensual indulgence with spiritual error. Understanding this Greek term enriches reading by highlighting how biblical authors condemn a lifestyle that prioritizes pleasure over piety, warning believers against teachers whose lives contradict the gospel's call to self-control and holiness.

In the Greco-Roman world, lavish banquets and public feasts were common social events, but ἐντρυφάω implies excess beyond cultural norms—a wasteful, dissolute lifestyle condemned by moral philosophers and Jewish tradition alike. The specific mention of reveling 'in the daytime' in 2 Peter 2:13 would have been shocking, as daytime was for work and public duty; such behavior signaled a complete abandonment of social propriety and self-discipline.

τρυφάω (tryphaō, G5171) — a more general term for living in luxury or softness, without the intensive 'in' prefix. ἀσέλγεια (aselgeia, G766) — denotes licentiousness or debauchery, often overlapping in contexts of unrestrained sensuality. εὐωχέω (euōcheō, G2165) — means to feast or banquet, but not necessarily with the negative moral connotation of ἐντρυφάω.

Word Details

Scripture References