Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Nature:Vice, in a biblical context, refers to immoral or wicked behavior that is contrary to the virtues and moral standards set forth in Scripture. It encompasses a range of sinful actions and attitudes that are detrimental to one's spiritual health and relationship with God. The Bible often contrasts vice with virtue, urging believers to pursue righteousness and holiness.
Biblical References:The concept of vice is addressed throughout the Bible, often in lists of behaviors that are condemned by God. In
Galatians 5:19-21 , the Apostle Paul provides a clear depiction of vice: "The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery; idolatry and sorcery; hatred, discord, jealousy, and rage; rivalries, divisions, factions, and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God."
Similarly, in
1 Corinthians 6:9-10 , Paul warns, "Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who submit to or perform homosexual acts, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor verbal abusers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God."
Theological Significance:Vice is seen as a manifestation of the sinful nature that all humans inherit due to the Fall (Genesis 3). It represents a turning away from God's commandments and a pursuit of self-indulgence and worldly desires. The presence of vice in one's life is indicative of a heart that is not fully surrendered to God and His will.
Moral and Spiritual Implications:Engaging in vice leads to spiritual decay and separation from God.
Romans 6:23 states, "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." This highlights the ultimate consequence of living a life characterized by vice. Believers are called to repent and turn away from such behaviors, seeking forgiveness and transformation through Jesus Christ.
Overcoming Vice:The Bible provides guidance on overcoming vice through the power of the Holy Spirit. In
Galatians 5:16 , Paul advises, "So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh." This emphasizes the importance of living a Spirit-led life, which empowers believers to resist temptation and cultivate virtues.
Furthermore,
Ephesians 4:22-24 encourages believers to "put off your former way of life, your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be renewed in the spirit of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness."
Practical Application:Christians are urged to examine their lives for any presence of vice and to seek God's help in eradicating it. This involves regular prayer, studying Scripture, and engaging in fellowship with other believers who can provide support and accountability. By doing so, believers can grow in holiness and reflect the character of Christ in their daily lives.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) A defect; a fault; an error; a blemish; an imperfection; as, the vices of a political constitution; the vices of a horse.
2. (n.) A moral fault or failing; especially, immoral conduct or habit, as in the indulgence of degrading appetites; customary deviation in a single respect, or in general, from a right standard, implying a defect of natural character, or the result of training and habits; a harmful custom; immorality; depravity; wickedness; as, a life of vice; the vice of intemperance.
3. (n.) The buffoon of the old English moralities, or moral dramas, having the name sometimes of one vice, sometimes of another, or of Vice itself; -- called also Iniquity.
4. (n.) A kind of instrument for holding work, as in filing. Same as Vise.
5. (n.) A tool for drawing lead into cams, or flat grooved rods, for casements.
6. (n.) A gripe or grasp.
7. (v. t.) To hold or squeeze with a vice, or as if with a vice.
8. (prep.) In the place of; in the stead; as, A. B. was appointed postmaster vice C. D. resigned.
9. (prep.) Denoting one who in certain cases may assume the office or duties of a superior; designating an officer or an office that is second in rank or authority; as, vice president; vice agent; vice consul, etc.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
UNNATURAL VICEun-nat'-u-ral vis.
SeeCRIMES;PUNISHMENTS.
VICE, UNNATURAL
SeeUNNATURAL VICE.
Greek
3393. miasma -- a stain, defilement... Cognate: 3393 (from 3392 ) pollution (spiritual stain) that results from
vice,
ie spiritually a person (used only in 2 Pet 2:20). See 3392 ().
...784. aspilos -- spotless, unstained
... literally, "without spot or stain") refers to what is () , ie morally unblemished
(pure) -- "free from censure, irreproachable, free fromvice, unsullied" (K...
3581. xenos -- foreign, a foreigner, guest
... Apparently a primary word; foreign (literally, alien, or figuratively, novel); by
implication, a guest or (vice-versa) entertainer -- host, strange(-r)....
Strong's Hebrew
1288. barak -- to kneel, bless... A primitive root; to kneel; by implication to bless God (as an act of adoration),
and (
vice-versa) man (as a benefit); also (by euphemism) to curse (God or the
...Library
Whether Meanness is avice?
... OF MEANNESS* (TWO ARTICLES) [*"Parvificentia," or doing mean things, just as
"magnificentia" is doing great things.] Whether meanness is avice?...
Whethervice is Contrary to virtue?
... EVIL HABITS, ie VICES AND SINS (QQ -89) Whethervice is contrary to virtue?
Objection 1: It would seem thatvice is not contrary to virtue....
Whethervice is Contrary to Nature?
... EVIL HABITS, ie VICES AND SINS (QQ -89) Whethervice is contrary to nature?
Objection 1: It would seem thatvice is not contrary to nature....
Whether Sloth is a Specialvice?
... OF SLOTH (FOUR ARTICLES) Whether sloth is a specialvice? Objection 1:
It would seem that sloth is not a specialvice. For that...
Whether Vainglory is a Capitalvice?
... OF VAINGLORY (FIVE ARTICLES) Whether vainglory is a capitalvice? Objection
1: It seems that vainglory is not a capitalvice. For...
Whether Insensibility is avice?
... OF THE VICES OPPOSED TO TEMPERANCE (FOUR ARTICLES) Whether insensibility is avice?
Objection 1: It would seem that insensibility is not avice....
Whether the Unnaturalvice is a Species of Lust?
... OF THE PARTS OF LUST (TWELVE ARTICLES) Whether the unnaturalvice is a species
of lust? Objection 1: It would seem that the unnatural...
Whether Lust is a Capitalvice?
... OF LUST (FIVE ARTICLES) Whether lust is a capitalvice? Objection 1: It seems that
lust is not a capitalvice.... xxxi, 45). Therefore lust is not a capitalvice....
Whether Covetousness is a Capitalvice?
... OF THE VICES OPPOSED TO LIBERALITY, AND IN THE FIRST PLACE, OF COVETOUSNESS
(EIGHT ARTICLES) Whether covetousness is a capitalvice?...
Whether Gluttony is a Capitalvice?
... OF GLUTTONY (SIX ARTICLES) Whether gluttony is a capitalvice? Objection
1: It would seem that gluttony is not a capitalvice. For...
Thesaurus
Vice (2 Occurrences)... implying a defect of natural character, or the result of training and habits; a
harmful custom; immorality; depravity; wickedness; as, a life of
vice; the
vice...Unnatural (9 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. UNNATURALVICE. un-nat'-u-ral vis. See CRIMES;
PUNISHMENTS.VICE, UNNATURAL. See UNNATURALVICE. Multi-Version Concordance...
Thessalonians (6 Occurrences)
... OF THE PENTATEUCH THE EPISTLE 1. Paul's Past and Present Relations with the
Thessalonians and His Love for Them 2. Exhortations againstVice, and Comfort and...
Crimes (22 Occurrences)
... According to Webster: "unnatural connection with a beast." This form ofvice was
treated by the Mosaic law as something exceedingly loathsome and abhorrent...
Crime (45 Occurrences)
... According to Webster: "unnatural connection with a beast." This form ofvice was
treated by the Mosaic law as something exceedingly loathsome and abhorrent...
Vicious (3 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Characterized byvice or defects; defective;
faulty; imperfect. 2. (a.) Addicted tovice; corrupt...
Drunkenness (10 Occurrences)
... I. Its Prevalance. The Bible affords ample proof that excessive drinking of intoxicants
was a commonvice among the Hebrews, as among other ancient peoples....
Polygamy
... Polygamy 4. Polygamy Unnatural The Eunuch 5. Weakness of Polygamy 1. Meaning of
the Term: Polygamy has been and is the open blazon by the human race of sexvice...
Converse (5 Occurrences)
... arises from interchanging the terms of another, as by putting the predicate for
the subject, and the subject for the predicate; as, no virtue isvice, novice...
Vicinity (18 Occurrences)
Resources
What is a vice? | GotQuestions.orgWhat are capital sins? | GotQuestions.orgWho was John Owen? | GotQuestions.orgVice: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
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