Topical Encyclopedia
Malignity, as a term, refers to a deep-seated ill will or malevolence, often manifesting in actions or attitudes that are harmful and destructive. In the context of the Bible, malignity is associated with the sinful nature of humanity and is often linked with other vices that corrupt the heart and mind.
Biblical References:The concept of malignity is closely related to the broader biblical theme of sin and the fallen nature of humanity. In
Romans 1:29, the Apostle Paul provides a list of unrighteous behaviors, stating, "They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed, and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, and malice." Here, "malice" can be understood as a form of malignity, highlighting the destructive intentions that arise from a heart not aligned with God's righteousness.
The Nature of Malignity:Malignity is characterized by a deliberate intention to harm others, whether through words, actions, or thoughts. It is a manifestation of the sinful nature that opposes the fruits of the Spirit, such as love, kindness, and gentleness (
Galatians 5:22-23). The presence of malignity in one's life is indicative of a heart that has not been fully transformed by the renewing power of the Holy Spirit.
Theological Implications:From a theological perspective, malignity is a reflection of the corruption that entered the world through sin. It is a reminder of the need for redemption and the transformative work of Christ in the believer's life. The Bible teaches that through faith in Jesus Christ, individuals can overcome the power of sin, including malignity, and live a life that reflects God's love and righteousness.
Practical Application:Believers are called to examine their hearts and rid themselves of all forms of malignity.
Ephesians 4:31-32 exhorts, "Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, outcry and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and tenderhearted to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you." This passage encourages Christians to replace malignity with kindness and forgiveness, reflecting the character of Christ in their interactions with others.
Conclusion:While malignity is a serious sin that can have devastating effects on relationships and communities, the Bible offers hope through the redemptive work of Jesus Christ. By relying on the Holy Spirit and embracing the teachings of Scripture, believers can overcome malignity and cultivate a heart that seeks to love and serve others in accordance with God's will.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) The state or quality of being malignant; disposition to do evil; virulent enmity; malignancy; malice; spite.
2. (n.) Virulence; deadly quality.
3. (n.) Extreme evilness of nature or influence; perniciousness; heinousness; as, the malignity of fraud.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
MALICE, MALIGNITYmal'-is, ma-lig'-ni-ti (kakia, poneros, kakoetheia): "Malice," now used in the sense of deliberate ill-will, by its derivation means badness, or wickedness generally, and was so used in Older English. In the Apocrypha it is the translation of kakia, "evil," "badness" (The Wisdom of Solomon 12:10, 20; 16:14; 2 Maccabees 4:50, the Revised Version (British and American) "wickedness"); in Ecclesiasticus 27:30; 28:7, we have "malice" in the more restricted sense as the translation of menis, "confirmed anger." In the New Testament "malice" and "maliciousness" are the translation of kakia (Romans 1:291 Corinthians 5:8;1 Corinthians 14:20Colossians 3:8); malicious is the translation of poneros, "evil" (3John 1:10, the Revised Version (British and American) "wicked"); it also occurs in Additions to Esther 13:4, 7, verse 4, "malignant"; The Wisdom of Solomon 1:4, the Revised Version (British and American) that deviseth evil"; 2 Maccabees 5:23; malignity occurs inRomans 1:29 as the translation of kakoetheia, "evil disposition"; "maliciously," Susanna verses 43, 62; 2 Maccabees 14:11, the Revised Version (British and American) "having ill will."
W. L. Walker
Greek
2550. kakoetheia -- malevolence... Feminine Transliteration: kakoetheia Phonetic Spelling: (kak-o-ay'-thi-ah) Short
Definition: evil-mindedness Definition: evil-mindedness,
malignity, malevolence
...4468. rhadiourgia -- ease in doing, laziness, recklessness, hence...
... mischief. From the same as rhaidiourgema; recklessness, ie (by extension)malignity --
mischief. see GREEK rhaidiourgema. (radiourgias) -- 1 Occurrence....
2549. kakia -- wickedness
... From kakos; badness, ie (subjectively) depravity, or (actively)malignity, or
(passively) trouble -- evil, malice(-iousness), naughtiness, wickedness....
Library
TheMalignity of the Devil as an Imitator in all Things; Two Kinds...
... Discourse X."Domnina. Chapter V."TheMalignity of the Devil as an Imitator
in All Things; Two Kinds of Fig-Trees and Vines....
TheMalignity and Folly of Satan.
... Chapter IV."Themalignity and folly of Satan. And indeed, before the cross
was erected, he (Satan) was eager that it should be...
Impossibility of Acknowledging God Without this External Evidence...
... of Acknowledging God Without This External Evidence Of His Existence Marcion's
Rejection of Such Evidence for His God Savours of Impudence andMalignity....
Answer to the Jewish Rabby's Letter.
... If, says he, historians can parallel this story of themalignity of the Jews towards
Jesus and Lazarus upon such a real miracle with thing [things] equally...
Psalm LII.
... 3. "Why doth he glory in malice that is mighty?" (ver.1). Observe, my brethren,
the glorying ofmalignity, the glorying of evil men. Where is glorying?...
The Woman Taken in Adultery.
... We are glad to have so characteristic an exposure of themalignity of the Jews,
and a view of our Lord which, although from a novel standpoint, is yet quite...
God Known by his Works his Goodness Shown in his Creative Energy...
... to shame for ever [2738] the benevolence of Marcion's god, subsequent as he is to
(I will not say) all beginnings and times, but to the verymalignity of the...
God's Attribute of Goodness Considered as Natural; the God of...
... For there was death already, and sin the sting of death, and thatmalignity too
of the Creator, against which the goodness of the other god should have been...
Prayer and vigilance
... therefore, to find Paul, who understood the character of the Christian life so well,
and who was so thoroughly informed as to themalignity and number of the...
Agency of Evil Spirits.
... of grace and protection, it is because there are mighty agencies of evil to be
met,"agencies numerous, determined, and untiring, of whosemalignity and power...
Thesaurus
Malignity (1 Occurrence)... 2. (n.) Virulence; deadly quality. 3. (n.) Extreme evilness of nature or influence;
perniciousness; heinousness; as, the
malignity of fraud.
... MALICE,
MALIGNITY.
...Malice (24 Occurrences)
... of others; willfulness. 3. (vt) To regard with extreme ill will. Int. Standard
Bible Encyclopedia. MALICE,MALIGNITY. mal'-is, ma-lig...
Venom (8 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) The poisonous fluid excreted by snakes, scorpions, spiders and bees by biting
or stinging. 2. (n.) Spite; malice;malignity; evil quality. Chaucer....
Wickedness (232 Occurrences)
... 2. In the New Testament: Wickedness,malignity, evil in thought and purpose is
presented by the word poneria: "But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said...
Fornication (52 Occurrences)
... Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness,
maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit,malignity; whisperers, (KJV...
Debate (13 Occurrences)
... Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness,
maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit,malignity; whisperers, (KJV...
Despite (18 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) Malice;malignity; spite; malicious anger; contemptuous hate. 3. (n.) An
act of malice, hatred, or defiance; contemptuous defiance; a deed of contempt....
Malkiel (3 Occurrences)
Maligned (3 Occurrences)
Maliciousness (2 Occurrences)
... Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness,
maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit,malignity; whisperers, (KJV...
Resources
Malignity: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
