Antioquia

Greek word · Strong G1939

What does concupiscence mean?

Concupiscence is intense desire — almost always desire for what is forbidden. It is one of the King James words for the Greek epithymia, which the King James usually translates “lust” and three times “concupiscence” (Romans 7:8, Colossians 3:5, 1 Thessalonians 4:5).

ἐπιθυμία

epithymía · transliteration

In Strong’s lexicon
a longing (especially for what is forbidden)
In the King James
  • lusts22
  • lust8
  • concupiscence3
  • desire3
Appears in
37 verses

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The meaning of concupiscence in the Bible

Epithymia in itself is simply strong desire: Jesus uses it for his desire to eat the Passover with his disciples (Luke 22:15), and Paul for his desire to depart and be with Christ (Philippians 1:23). But most often the word speaks of disordered desire — wanting what God has not given. That is why John ties it to the world: “For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world” (1 John 2:16).

James shows how temptation works from within: “every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed” (James 1:14), and desire, once it has conceived, brings forth sin (James 1:15). Paul calls for it to be put to death — “evil concupiscence”, next to “covetousness, which is idolatry” (Colossians 3:5).

Where concupiscence appears

1 John 2:16

For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
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James 1:14

But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.
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Colossians 3:5

Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:
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Romans 7:8

But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence. For without the law sin was dead.
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Frequently asked questions

Is all desire concupiscence?
No. The same Greek word describes Jesus' desire to eat the Passover with his disciples (Luke 22:15). In the King James, concupiscence is desire turned toward what God forbids — and James shows that sin is born from it (James 1:14-15).
What is the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes?
They are the first two things of the world in 1 John 2:16: the body's desire for what is forbidden, and the craving that comes in through the eyes. With “the pride of life”, they sum up what is not of the Father.

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