ὄρεξις
strong desire, lust
Definition
ὄρεξις refers to a strong, passionate desire or craving, often with a negative connotation of uncontrolled appetite. In the New Testament, it specifically denotes intense, unnatural sexual desire, as seen in Romans 1:27, where it describes the 'lust' of men for one another. While the word can broadly mean 'appetite' or 'longing' in classical Greek, its biblical usage narrows to signify a desire that has overstepped proper boundaries, aligning with sinful human passion rather than God-ordained yearning.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only once in the New Testament, in Romans 1:27. It appears in Paul's description of humanity's descent into idolatry and consequent moral corruption. Here, ὄρεξις specifically labels the 'burning lust' or intense unnatural desire between men, illustrating a key example of the dishonorable passions that result from rejecting God.
Etymology
Derived from the verb ὀρέγω (orego, G3713), meaning 'to stretch out, reach for, or desire.' ὄρεξις is the noun form, literally 'a reaching' or 'a stretching toward,' which evolved to mean 'appetite' or 'strong desire.' Its root conveys the idea of actively straining toward an object of craving.
Semantic Range
ὄρεξις is theologically significant as it highlights the distortion of natural desires due to sin. In Romans 1, it exemplifies how idolatry leads to God 'giving over' humanity to degrading passions, including unnatural sexual desires. Understanding this Greek term enriches reading by clarifying that Paul is describing a specific, intense lust that results from a fundamental rejection of God, not merely a general temptation. It underscores the biblical theme that sinful desires are a consequence of fallen human nature.
In the Greco-Roman world, ὄρεξisis could refer to natural appetites (like hunger) or various desires. However, Paul uses it in a context condemning specific sexual practices that were sometimes tolerated or practiced in pagan culture. His usage contrasts the cultural relativism of his day with the biblical standard of natural relations as instituted by God.
ἐπιθυμία (epithymia, G1939) — a broader term for desire, which can be neutral or negative; often translated 'lust' or 'coveting.' πάθος (pathos, G3806) — strong passion, often negative, referring to degrading passions (used in the same context, Romans 1:26).
Word Details
How this works
Definitions are from the Dodson Greek-English Lexicon, a concise public-domain resource suitable for introductory word study. Brief glosses are supplemented by STEPBible TBESG data (CC BY 4.0). For advanced research, standard scholarly references include BDAG (Danker, 3rd ed.) and LSJ.
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