Topical Encyclopedia
In the context of the Bible, the term "orgies" refers to excessive indulgence in sensual pleasures, often associated with pagan worship practices and moral depravity. The concept is addressed in several passages, highlighting its opposition to the values and teachings of Scripture.
Old Testament ContextWhile the specific term "orgies" is not used in the Old Testament, the practices associated with it are evident in the idolatrous rituals of surrounding nations. The Israelites were repeatedly warned against adopting the customs of their pagan neighbors, which often included licentious celebrations and immoral acts. For instance, the worship of Baal and Asherah involved sexual rites that were condemned by God. In
Exodus 32, the Israelites' worship of the golden calf involved revelry that likely included such immoral behavior, prompting Moses to take decisive action against it.
New Testament ReferencesThe New Testament explicitly addresses the concept of orgies, particularly in the writings of the Apostle Paul. In
Galatians 5:19-21 , Paul lists "orgies" among the "acts of the flesh," warning that "those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God." This passage underscores the incompatibility of such behavior with the life of a believer, emphasizing the need for self-control and holiness.
In
Romans 13:13 , Paul exhorts believers to "behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy." Here, "carousing" can be understood as a reference to the type of revelry associated with orgies, further illustrating the call to live a life that reflects the light of Christ.
Cultural and Historical BackgroundIn the Greco-Roman world, orgies were often linked to the worship of deities such as Bacchus (Dionysus), the god of wine, and were characterized by excessive drinking, feasting, and sexual immorality. These practices were not only socially accepted but also religiously sanctioned in certain contexts, presenting a significant challenge for early Christians who sought to live according to the teachings of Jesus.
Moral and Theological ImplicationsFrom a biblical perspective, orgies represent a distortion of God's design for human relationships and sexuality. The Bible consistently upholds the sanctity of marriage and the proper expression of sexual intimacy within its bounds. Orgies, as an expression of unchecked lust and hedonism, stand in stark contrast to the virtues of purity, self-control, and fidelity.
The call to avoid such practices is rooted in the broader biblical mandate to live a life that honors God. Believers are encouraged to "offer [their] bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God" (
Romans 12:1), recognizing that their bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit (
1 Corinthians 6:19-20).
Practical Application for BelieversChristians are urged to distance themselves from environments and activities that promote or condone such behavior. Instead, they are called to pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, alongside those who call on the Lord from a pure heart (
2 Timothy 2:22). By doing so, they bear witness to the transformative power of the Gospel and the new life found in Christ.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n. pl.) A sacrifice accompanied by certain ceremonies in honor of some pagan deity; especially, the ceremonies observed by the Greeks and Romans in the worship of Dionysus, or Bacchus, which were characterized by wild and dissolute revelry.
2. (n. pl.) Drunken revelry; a carouse.
3. (n.) Plural of Orgy.
Library
SacrificialOrgies.
... Homily VIII. Chapter VII."SacrificialOrgies. "But they did not cease to
worship images, [1112] by reason of the evil intelligence...
HeathenOrgies.
... Homily XI. Chapter XIV."HeathenOrgies. "Oh men without understanding!
Judge ye rightly of what is said. For if it were necessary...
Our Friends Take it Amiss that I have Spoken of the Origenists as...
... 18. Our friends take it amiss that I have spoken of the Origenists as
confederated together byorgies of false oaths. I named the...
The Sethians Support their Doctrines by an Allegorical...
... and the (idea of the) navel, [539] which is harmony, [540] is (to be found) with
the same symbolism attached to it in the Bacchanalianorgies of Orpheus....
The Absurdity and Impiety of the Heathen Mysteries and Fables...
... The bacchanals hold theirorgies in honour of the frenzied Dionysus, celebrating
their sacred frenzy by the eating of raw flesh, and go through the...
He Has Endeavoured, Indeed, to Brand us with the Stain of this...
... you on my own account, and supported my opinion by an anathema, to make this plain
to you further, that he himself declares that in certainorgies and mystical...
Naasseni Ascribe their System, through Mariamne, to James the...
... ineffable mysteries of all the Gentiles, are uttering falsehoods against Christ,
and are making dupes of those who are not acquainted with theseorgies of the...
Appendix
... "Such hideous figures correspond with the canine phantoms of theOrgies which seemed
to rise out of the ground, and with the polymorphic images of the...
The Ophites the Progenitors of Subsequent Heresies.
... Ophites in succession); nay, not one (speculation) will I leave unrefuted, if it
is possible to remember all (their tenets), and the secretorgies of these...
The Poets Also Bear Testimony to the Truth.
... But the Thracian Orpheus, the son of OEagrus, hierophant and poet at once, after
his exposition of theorgies, and his theology of idols, introduces a palinode...
Thesaurus
Orgies (4 Occurrences)... revelry. 2. (n. pl.) Drunken revelry; a carouse. 3. (n.) Plural of Orgy.
Multi-Version Concordance
Orgies (4 Occurrences). Romans
...Carousing (4 Occurrences)
... Galatians 5:21 envyings, murders, drunkenness,orgies, and things like these; of
which I forewarn you, even as I also forewarned you, that those who practice...
Origin (25 Occurrences)
Organs (3 Occurrences)
Warned (63 Occurrences)
... Galatians 5:21 envyings, murders, drunkenness,orgies, and things like these; of
which I forewarn you, even as I also forewarned you, that those who practice...
Warn (35 Occurrences)
... Galatians 5:21 envyings, murders, drunkenness,orgies, and things like these; of
which I forewarn you, even as I also forewarned you, that those who practice...
Inherit (98 Occurrences)
... Galatians 5:21 envyings, murders, drunkenness,orgies, and things like these; of
which I forewarn you, even as I also forewarned you, that those who practice...
Idolatries (3 Occurrences)
... 4:3 For we have spent enough of our past time doing the desire of the Gentiles,
and having walked in lewdness, lusts, drunken binges,orgies, carousings, and...
Forewarn (9 Occurrences)
... Galatians 5:21 envyings, murders, drunkenness,orgies, and things like these; of
which I forewarn you, even as I also forewarned you, that those who practice...
Forewarned (15 Occurrences)
... Galatians 5:21 envyings, murders, drunkenness,orgies, and things like these; of
which I forewarn you, even as I also forewarned you, that those who practice...
Resources
What is a Christian couple allowed to do in sex? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about envy? | GotQuestions.orgWhat are revellings in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgOrgies: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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