The Alleged Equivalence of Desire and Lust in Scripture
The terms "desire" and "lust" in Scripture are often related but carry distinct connotations, with "lust" typically denoting a sinful or inordinate desire. Easton's Bible Dictionary defines "lust" as "sinful longing" and "the inward sin which leads to the falling away from God" [1]. It clarifies that while "lusts" can refer to objects of desire, the underlying concept is rooted in the heart as the "centre of all moral forces and impulses" [1].
The Greek word translated as "lust" or "desire" can vary, influencing the specific nuance. For instance, in James 4:2, the Greek word translated as "ye lust" is distinct from that in James 4:1, meaning "ye set your mind (or heart) on" an object [4]. This suggests a strong inclination or coveting. The concept of "concupiscence" is also linked to this, defined as "desire" in Romans 7:8 and Colossians 3:5, but specifically "evil desire, indwelling sin" when referred to as the "lust of concupiscence" in 1 Thessalonians 4:5 [2].
Biblical examples illustrate this distinction. The Israelites in the wilderness "lusted exceedingly" (Psalm 106:14), not merely craving food, but indulging a "voluptuous lust to gratify their appetite," which John Gill interprets as "lusting after evil tidings" [5]. This highlights that not all desire is inherently sinful, but rather the nature and object of the desire can render it so.
The New Testament further elaborates on the sinful nature of lust. John Chrysostom, in his Homilies on Acts & Romans, connects "intensity of lust" to the "desertion of God" [3]. The Apostle John identifies "the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life" as elements of "all that is in the world" (1 John 2:16), which Adam Clarke interprets as "sensual and impure desires" and "inordinate desires after finery of every kind" [6]. Paul also speaks of the "flesh lusteth against the Spirit" (Galatians 5:16), where "flesh" refers to the "corruption of nature" still present in regenerate persons [7]. This ongoing internal conflict underscores the sinful aspect of lust as a powerful, corrupting force.
While "desire" can be a neutral or even positive human experience, "lust" in a biblical context consistently points to an inordinate, sinful longing that opposes God's will and leads to moral transgression [1, 5, 6].
Sources
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Lust — Sinful longing; the inward sin which leads to the falling away from God (Rom. 1:21). "Lust, the origin of sin, has its place in the heart, not of necessity, but because it is the centre of all moral forces and impulses and of spiritual activity." In Mark 4:19 "lusts" are objects of desire.”
- 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.”
- CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on Acts & Romans: which the natives of Mozambique eat in this way; it becomes a dram to them, its taste is like magnesia with iron, which last would give it a stimulant property. There are some other instances, but cases of madness are perhaps intended. stones, and others being possessed by excessive thirst often long even for mire, thus these also ran into this ebullition of lawless love. But if you say, and whence came this intensity of lust? It was from the desertion of God: 1225 1225 3 mss. I should say,.…and if you ask whence is the desertion of God, I shall answ”
- James (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on James 4:2: Ye lust--A different Greek word from that in Jam 4:1. "Ye desire"; literally, "ye set your mind (or heart) on" an object. have not--The lust of desire does not ensure the actual possession. Hence "ye kill" (not as Margin, without any old authority, "envy") to ensure possession. Not probably in the case of professing Christians of that day in a literal sense, but "kill and envy" (as the Greek for "desire to have" should be translated), that is, harass and oppress through envy [DRUSIUS]. Compare Zac 11:5, "slay"; through envy, hate, and desire to get out”
- Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 106:14: But lusted exceedingly in the wilderness,.... Or, "lusted a lust" (p) as in Num 11:4 to which story there related this refers; they were not content with the manna they had every day, though very nourishing and of a sweet taste; they lusted after the fish and flesh of Egypt, and other things they ate there; so that this was not a natural lust, or craving after food and drink, to satisfy nature, which would not have been criminal; but a voluptuous last to gratify their appetite: it was lusting after evil tidings, as the apostle interprets it, Co1 10:6, lust after sin”
- 1 John (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 1 John 2:16: For all that is in the world - All that it can boast of, all that it can promise, is only sensual, transient gratification, and even this promise it cannot fulfill; so that its warmest votaries can complain loudest of their disappointment. The lust of the flesh - Sensual and impure desires which seek their gratification in women, strong drink, delicious viands, and the like. Lust of the eyes - Inordinate desires after finery of every kind, gaudy dress, splendid houses, superb furniture, expensive equipage, trappings, and decorations of all sorts. Pride of life - Hun”
- Galatians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Galatians 5:16: For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit,.... By "flesh" is meant, not the carnal or literal sense of the Scripture, which is Origen's gloss, as militating against the spiritual sense of it; nor the sensual part of man rebelling against his rational powers; but the corruption of nature, which still is in regenerate persons: and is so called because it is propagated by carnal generation; has for its object carnal things; its lusts and works are fleshly; and though it has its seat in the heart, it shows itself in the flesh or members of the body, which are yielded as”