Topical Encyclopedia
Definition: Selfishness is the quality or state of being primarily concerned with one's own interests, benefits, and welfare, often at the expense of others. It is characterized by a lack of consideration for others and a focus on personal gain.
Biblical Perspective: The Bible consistently portrays selfishness as contrary to the character and will of God. It is often associated with sin and is seen as a barrier to living a life that honors God and serves others.
Old Testament References:1.
Proverbs 18:1 · "He who isolates himself pursues selfish desires; he rebels against all sound judgment." This verse highlights the destructive nature of selfishness, suggesting that it leads to isolation and rebellion against wisdom.
2.
Isaiah 56:11 · "They are dogs with mighty appetites; they never have enough. They are shepherds with no discernment; they all turn to their own way, each seeking his own gain." Here, selfishness is depicted as insatiable and lacking discernment, leading individuals away from their responsibilities.
New Testament References:1.
Philippians 2:3-4 · "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others." This passage calls believers to reject selfish ambition and instead adopt an attitude of humility and selflessness.
2.
James 3:14-16 · "But if you harbor bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast in it or deny the truth. Such wisdom does not come from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every evil practice." James warns that selfish ambition leads to disorder and evil, contrasting it with the wisdom that comes from God.
Theological Implications: Selfishness is seen as a manifestation of the sinful nature that opposes the self-giving love exemplified by Jesus Christ. The call to love one's neighbor as oneself (
Mark 12:31) is a direct challenge to selfish inclinations. The life and teachings of Jesus emphasize self-sacrifice, service, and putting others before oneself.
Practical Application: Christians are encouraged to cultivate a spirit of generosity and service, reflecting the love of Christ in their interactions with others. This involves actively seeking the welfare of others, practicing hospitality, and using one's resources and gifts for the common good.
Related Concepts:·
Self-Denial: The practice of denying oneself for the sake of following Christ and serving others (
Luke 9:23).
·
Altruism: The selfless concern for the well-being of others, often seen as a virtue in Christian ethics.
·
Humility: A key Christian virtue that involves recognizing one's own limitations and valuing others above oneself (
Philippians 2:3).
Conclusion: The Bible consistently calls believers to reject selfishness and embrace a life of selflessness, reflecting the character of Christ and fulfilling the command to love God and others.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
a.) Caring supremely or unduly for one's self; regarding one's own comfort, advantage, etc., in disregard, or at the expense, of those of others.
2. (a.) Believing or teaching that the chief motives of human action are derived from love of self.
Greek
5367. philautos -- loving oneself... loving oneself. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: philautos Phonetic Spelling:
(fil'-ow-tos) Short Definition:
selfish Definition: self-loving,
selfish...2052. eritheia -- rivalry, hence ambition
... it causes. 2052 ("selfish ambition") places self-interest ahead of what
declares right, or what is good for others. Word Origin...
3525. nepho -- to be sober, to abstain from wine
... be sober (not drunk), not intoxicated; (figuratively) free from illusion, ie from
the intoxicating influences of sin (like the impact ofselfish passion, greed...
3834. panourgia -- cleverness, craftiness
... every" and 2041 , "deed") -- properly, every (evil) work; (figuratively) crafty
behavior; unscrupulous cunning that stops at nothing to achieve aselfish goal....
505. anupokritos -- unhypocritical, unfeigned
... 1 "not" and 5271 , "to act as a hypocrite") -- properly, ("put on"), describing
sincere behavior free from hidden agendas (selfish motives) -- literally...
Strong's Hebrew
5869. ayin -- an eye... 1), own eyes (1), please* (3), pleased* (14), pleases* (1), prefer* (2), presence
(8), saw* (1), see (1), see* (1), seem (1), seemed* (1),
selfish* (1), sight
...7451a. ra -- bad, evil
... 1), evildoers* (1), evils (1), great (1), grievous (4), harm* (1), harmful (3),
man (1), miserable (1), misfortune* (1), sad (4),selfish* (1), serious (1...
Library
The End of Ahab'sSelfish Family
... THE OLD TESTAMENT THE END OF AHAB'SSELFISH FAMILY. Elisha the prophet called
one of the followers of the prophets and said to him...
The End of Religion
... My friends, all this springs from thatselfish view of religion which is
gaining power among us more and more. Christ came to deliver...
A Coaling Station for Satan's Fleet.
... "because ye ask amiss to spend it in your pleasures." That is to sayselfish praying;
asking for something just because I want it; want it for myself....
The Final Retrospect
... The wood, hay, and stubble ofselfish works andselfish purposes will be
burned up in the fire that will try every man's work. How...
The Power of Meditation
... If, therefore, you constantly dwell upon that which isselfish and debasing, you
will ultimately becomeselfish and debased; if you ceaselessly think upon that...
A Prophet's Woes
... The first plague-spot is the accumulation of wealth in few hands, and theselfish
withdrawal of its possessors from the life of the community....
The Wicked Heart Set to do Evil.
... perhaps, he becomes very polite and very amiable in his manners"sometimes, very
religious"if religion is popular, but altogetherselfish, and none the less...
The Necessity and Effect of Union.
... In like manner, any number of persons might be agreed in their desires and motives,
but if their motives areselfish, their being agreed in them will only make...
1 Corinthians xiii. 11
... And, because those higher feelings, which are the great check to selfishness, have
not yet arisen within him, theselfish instinct, connected apparently with...
The Power of Ambition.
... The dominant motive in his life is ambition, but it is a thoroughlyselfish ambition....
Does a man with aselfish ambition always injure others?...
Thesaurus
Selfish (14 Occurrences)...Selfish (14 Occurrences).
... (WEY). 2 Corinthians 12:17 Have I gained any
selfish advantage
over you through any one of the messengers I have sent to you? (WEY).
...Ambition (9 Occurrences)
... Philippians 1:16 The former insincerely preach Christ fromselfish ambition,
thinking that they add affliction to my chains; (WEB)....
Narrow (21 Occurrences)
... 5. (superl.) Contracted; of limited scope; illiberal; bigoted; as, a narrow mind;
narrow views. 6. (superl.) Parsimonious; stingy; covetous;selfish....
Churl (6 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) A rough, surly, ill-bred man; a boor. 3. (n.) Aselfish miser; an illiberal
person; a miser. 4. (a.) Churlish; rough;selfish. Int....
Selfishly (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (adv.) In aselfish manner; with regard to private interest
only or chiefly. Multi-Version Concordance Selfishly (1 Occurrence)....
Gained (66 Occurrences)
... There is not one of you whom we have wronged, not one to whom we have done harm,
not one over whom we have gained anyselfish advantage. (WEY)....
Jealousy (54 Occurrences)
... James 3:14 But if you have bitter jealousy andselfish ambition in your heart,
don't boast and don't lie against the truth. (WEB ASV NAS RSV)....
Empire (8 Occurrences)
... Events had proved that a narrow exclusive aristocracy was incapable of good government
because of its utterlyselfish policy and disregard for the rights of...
Liberal (11 Occurrences)
... 5. (a.) Not narrow or contracted in mind; notselfish; enlarged in spirit; catholic.
6. (a.) Free to excess; regardless of law or moral restraint; licentious....
Guided (86 Occurrences)
... (WEY). 2 Corinthians 12:18 I begged Titus to visit you, and sent our other brother
with him. Did Titus gain anyselfish advantage over you?...
Resources
What does it mean to do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit (Philippians 2:3)? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about selfishness? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about envy? | GotQuestions.orgSelfish: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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