Evil Thing
What Are Evil Things in the Bible?
The biblical concept of 'evil things' encompasses both moral evil (wrongful actions and intentions) and natural evil (suffering and calamity). The Greek term to kakon and Hebrew term ra' are used throughout Scripture to describe what is harmful, injurious, or contrary to God's good design. Unlike modern philosophical abstractions, the biblical treatment of evil things is concrete and relational—they are realities that damage relationships between God and humanity, and among people themselves (Romans 1:28-32).
Evil Things as Moral Choices
Scripture frequently presents evil things as originating in human hearts and manifesting through choices. Jesus taught that "the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil things" (Matthew 12:35), emphasizing the connection between inner disposition and outward action. The apostle Paul includes "inventors of evil things" in his description of humanity's fallen state (Romans 1:30), suggesting that evil can involve creative energy directed toward harmful ends. The book of Proverbs warns that "the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things" (Proverbs 15:28), connecting speech with moral corruption.
Evil Things as Consequences and Suffering
The Bible also uses 'evil things' to describe suffering and negative circumstances. In Jesus' parable of the rich man and Lazarus, Lazarus experiences 'evil things' during his earthly life—poverty, sickness, and marginalization—while the rich man enjoys 'good things' (Luke 16:19-25). This illustrates how evil things can refer to difficult circumstances that are not necessarily the direct result of personal sin. The book of Ecclesiastes observes that both good and evil things happen to all people (Ecclesiastes 9:2-3), acknowledging the mysterious distribution of suffering in a fallen world.
The Origin and Nature of Evil Things
While God is sovereign over all creation, Scripture consistently presents God as holy and separate from evil (James 1:13). Evil things enter the biblical narrative through humanity's rebellion (Genesis 3) and through spiritual forces opposed to God (Ephesians 6:12). The prophet Isaiah contrasts God's thoughts with humanity's ways, implying that evil things represent a departure from divine intention (Isaiah 55:7-9). Evil things are fundamentally parasitic—they corrupt and distort what God created as good.
God's Response to Evil Things
The biblical narrative doesn't merely diagnose evil things but reveals God's comprehensive response. Through the Law, God provides boundaries to limit evil's spread (Romans 7:12). Through prophets, God calls people to turn from evil things to righteousness (Ezekiel 33:11). Ultimately, through Jesus Christ, God enters into the reality of evil things—experiencing suffering, injustice, and death—to redeem creation from corruption (1 Peter 2:22-24). The cross represents God's decisive confrontation with evil things, and the resurrection promises their ultimate defeat (Revelation 21:4).
Living Wisely in a World with Evil Things
New Testament writers provide practical guidance for believers navigating a world where evil things exist. Paul warns Christians not to "desire evil things" as Israel did in the wilderness (1 Corinthians 10:6), connecting desire with action. He encourages believers to "overcome evil with good" (Romans 12:21), suggesting an active rather than passive response. The epistle of James advises believers to "keep oneself unstained from the world" (James 1:27) while engaging compassionately with those suffering from evil things. This balanced approach acknowledges evil's reality while affirming God's greater power and ultimate victory.
Biblical Context
The concept appears throughout Scripture, from Genesis to Revelation. Key passages include Jesus' teachings in the Gospels (Matthew 12:35; Luke 16:25), Pauline epistles (Romans 1:30; 1 Corinthians 10:6), wisdom literature (Proverbs 15:28), and prophetic books. It functions as both diagnosis (describing humanity's fallen condition) and contrast (highlighting God's goodness). The term appears in narratives about human sin, in wisdom teachings about consequences, and in eschatological promises of evil's ultimate defeat.
Theological Significance
The biblical treatment of evil things reveals important truths about God's character and human nature. It demonstrates that God takes evil seriously—neither ignoring it nor being its source. The concept highlights human responsibility while acknowledging that some suffering exceeds individual culpability. It points toward the need for redemption beyond mere moral improvement. Ultimately, the reality of evil things makes the gospel necessary and meaningful, as Christ's work addresses both the commission of evil and its consequences.
Historical Background
Ancient Near Eastern cultures had various understandings of evil, often viewing it through dualistic frameworks or as capricious divine action. Israel's neighbors sometimes attributed evil to competing deities or cosmic forces. By contrast, Israel's monotheism required understanding evil within a framework of one sovereign, good God. Archaeological evidence shows that ancient societies recognized categories of harmful actions and misfortune, but Israel's distinctive contribution was connecting these to covenant relationship with Yahweh. Extra-biblical texts like the Dead Sea Scrolls show continued wrestling with evil's origins in Second Temple Judaism.