Definition and Biblical Understanding of Evil Concupiscence
Evil concupiscence refers to a strong, often illicit, desire or lust that originates from the corrupt nature of humanity [1]. The term "concupiscence" itself denotes desire, as seen in Romans 7:8 and Colossians 3:5, where the Revised Version translates it as "coveting" and "desire" respectively. When qualified as "evil," it specifically points to "evil desire" or "indwelling sin" [1].
Biblically, concupiscence is understood as a powerful internal force leading to sin. James 1:15 states, "Then, when concupiscence hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin. But sin, when it is completed, begetteth death" [4]. This verse highlights the progression from internal desire to outward sinful action and its ultimate consequence. The "lust of concupiscence" is also mentioned in 1 Thessalonians 4:5, further emphasizing its connection to passionate, unholy desires [1].
The heart is identified as the source from which these evil thoughts and desires proceed [8, 9]. Jesus taught that "out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies" (Matthew 15:19) [8]. John Gill elaborates that these "evil thoughts" include "wicked imaginations, carnal reasonings, lustful desires, and malicious contrivances" that are "devised, and forged, in the corrupt heart of man" [9]. This internal corruption is not merely a fleeting thought but can encompass schemes and intentions [9].
Covetousness is a significant manifestation of evil concupiscence. It is described as originating from the heart (Mark 7:22-23) and engrossing it (Ezekiel 33:31) [2]. The Bible equates covetousness with idolatry (Ephesians 5:5; Colossians 3:5) and identifies it as "the root of all evil" (1 Timothy 6:10) [2]. This desire is never satisfied (Ecclesiastes 5:10) and can lead to various sins, including injustice, oppression, lying, murder, and theft [2]. The "evil eye" is a figurative expression for the envious or covetous person [6].
The consequences of yielding to evil concupiscence are severe. It can lead to "foolish and hurtful lusts" that cause people to fall into temptation and ruin (1 Timothy 6:9) [2]. It can also result in a departure from faith (1 Timothy 6:10) [2]. The book of Wisdom warns that "the wandering of concupiscence overturneth the innocent mind" [7]. Those who are "past feeling" or "senseless" due to a habit of sin are described as having given themselves over to uncleanness, a state where God may withdraw His preventing grace, allowing their sin to become their punishment [10]. Such individuals may even "rejoice to do evil, and delight in the perverseness of evil" (Proverbs 2:14) [3, 5].
The concept of concupiscence is closely related to the broader biblical understanding of human depravity and the fallen nature. It underscores the internal struggle against sin that believers face, as the desire for evil persists even after conversion. The emphasis on the heart as the origin of these desires highlights the need for internal transformation rather than mere external conformity to rules.
Sources
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Concupiscence — Desire, Rom. 7:8 (R.V., "coveting"); Col. 3:5 (R.V., "desire"). The "lust of concupiscence" (1 Thess. 4:5; R.V., "passion of lust") denotes evil desire, indwelling sin.”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Covetousness — Comes from the heart -- Mr 7:22,23. Engrosses the heart -- Eze 33:31; 2Pe 2:14. Is idolatry -- Eph 5:5; Col 3:5. Is the root of all evil -- 1Ti 6:10. Is never satisfied -- Ec 5:10; Hab 2:5. Is vanity -- Ps 39:6; Ec 4:8. Is inconsistent In saints. -- Eph 5:3; Heb 13:5. Specially in ministers. -- 1Ti 3:3. Leads to Injustice and oppression. -- Pr 28:20; Mic 2:2. Foolish and hurtful lusts. -- 1Ti 6:9. Departure from the faith. -- 1Ti 6:10. Lying. -- 2Ki 5:22-25. Murder. -- Pr 1:18,19; Eze 22:12. Theft. -- Jos 7:21. Poverty. -- Pr 28:22. Misery. -- 1Ti 6:10”
- Proverbs “who rejoice to do evil, and delight in the perverseness of evil; -- Proverbs 2:14”
- James “James 1:15 (DRC) — Then, when concupiscence hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin. But sin, when it is completed, begetteth death.”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Character of the Wicked — Abominable -- Re 21:8. Alienated from God -- Eph 4:18; Col 1:21. Blasphemous -- Lu 22:65; Re 16:9. Blinded -- 2Co 4:4; Eph 4:18. Boastful -- Ps 10:3; 49:6. Conspiring against God's people -- Ne 4:8; 6:2; Ps 38:12. Covetous -- Mic 2:2; Ro 1:29. Deceitful -- Ps 5:6; Ro 3:13. Delighting in the iniquity of others -- Pr 2:14; Ro 1:32. Despising the works of the faithful -- Ne 2:19; 4:2; 2Ti 3:3,4. Destructive -- Isa 59:7. Disobedient -- Ne 9:26; Tit 3:3; 1Pe 2:7. Enticing to evil -- Pr 1:10-14; 2Ti 3:6. Envious -- Ne 2:10; Tit 3:3. Fearful -- Pr ”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Evil eye — (Prov. 23:6), figuratively, the envious or covetous. (Comp. Deut. 15:9; Matt. 20:15.)”
- Wisdom “Wisdom 4:12 (DRC) — For the bewitching of vanity obscureth good things, and the wandering of concupiscence overturneth the innocent mind.”
- Matthew (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Matthew 15:19: For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts--"evil reasonings"; referring here more immediately to those corrupt reasonings which had stealthily introduced and gradually reared up that hideous fabric of tradition which at length practically nullified the unchangeable principles of the moral law. But the statement is far broader than this; namely that the first shape which the evil that is in the heart takes, when it begins actively to stir, is that of "considerations" or "reasonings" on certain suggested actions. murders, adulteries, fornications, t”
- Matthew (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Matthew 15:19: For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts,.... Of God, of Christ, of the Spirit, of fellow creatures, and of all sorts of wickedness. The thoughts of sin are evil, are to be hated, forsaken, and for which men are accountable to God. All wicked imaginations, carnal reasonings, lustful desires, and malicious contrivances, are here included; which take their rise from, and are devised, and forged, in the corrupt heart of man. Murders; inveterate hatred of men's persons, malice prepense, schemes to take away life, all angry and wrathful words, and actual effusion of ”
- Ephesians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Ephesians 4:19: past feeling--senseless, shameless, hopeless; the ultimate result of a long process of "hardening," or habit of sin (Eph 4:18). "Being past hope," or despairing, is the reading of the Vulgate; though not so well supported as English Version reading, "past feeling," which includes the absence of hope (Jer 2:25; Jer 18:12). given themselves over--In Rom 1:24 it is, "God gave them up to uncleanness." Their giving themselves to it was punished in kind, God giving them up to it by withdrawing His preventing grace; their sin thus was made their punishme”