Definition and Nature:
Caprice refers to a sudden and unaccountable change of mood or behavior, often characterized by whimsicality or impulsiveness. In a biblical context, caprice can be seen as a departure from steadfastness and consistency, traits that are often encouraged in Scripture. The term itself is not directly mentioned in the Bible, but the concept is addressed through various narratives and teachings that highlight the importance of stability and faithfulness.

Biblical Context and Examples:
The Bible frequently contrasts capricious behavior with the virtues of faithfulness, wisdom, and self-control. In the Old Testament, the Israelites often exhibited capriciousness in their relationship with God, oscillating between obedience and rebellion. This is evident in the Book of Judges, where the cycle of sin, oppression, repentance, and deliverance is repeated multiple times. The Israelites' tendency to turn away from God and follow their own desires is a classic example of capricious behavior.

In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul warns against being "tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching" (Ephesians 4:14). This metaphor highlights the dangers of capriciousness in spiritual beliefs and underscores the need for doctrinal stability and maturity.

Moral and Spiritual Implications:
Caprice is often associated with a lack of discipline and an inability to commit to a course of action or belief. Proverbs 25:28 states, "Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control." This proverb illustrates the vulnerability and chaos that can result from capricious behavior. The Bible encourages believers to cultivate the fruit of the Spirit, which includes self-control (Galatians 5:22-23), as a means to counteract capricious tendencies.

Theological Reflections:
From a theological perspective, caprice can be seen as a manifestation of the sinful nature, which is prone to instability and inconsistency. James 1:8 describes a "double-minded man, unstable in all his ways," emphasizing the spiritual peril of indecisiveness and lack of commitment. In contrast, God is depicted as unchanging and faithful, providing a model for believers to emulate. Malachi 3:6 declares, "I, the LORD, do not change," highlighting the divine constancy that stands in opposition to human capriciousness.

Practical Applications:
Believers are encouraged to seek wisdom and guidance from God to avoid the pitfalls of capricious behavior. James 1:5 advises, "If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him." By relying on divine wisdom and cultivating a disciplined spiritual life, Christians can overcome the temptations of caprice and live in a manner that reflects the steadfastness of their faith.

In summary, while the Bible does not explicitly use the term "caprice," it addresses the concept through teachings on faithfulness, self-control, and the dangers of instability. Believers are called to emulate the constancy of God, resisting the whims of capricious behavior through the cultivation of spiritual virtues.1. (n.) A whim; an abrupt change in feeling, opinion, or action, proceeding from some whim or fancy; a freak; a notion.

2. (v. i.) See Capriccio.

766. aselgeia -- licentiousness, wantonness
... 766 (from "brutal") -- properly, which and indulges in lawless insolence (wanton
caprice). [This is likewise the meaning of 766 in classical Greek (, 110).]. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/766.htm - 7k8586. taalulim -- wantonness, caprice
... 8585b, 8586. taalulim. 8587 . wantonness, caprice. Transliteration: taalulim
Phonetic Spelling: (tah-al-ool') Short Definition: children. ...
/hebrew/8586.htm - 6k

8394. tebunah -- an understanding
... feminine) tbuwnah {teb-oo-naw'}; or towbunah {to-boo-naw'}; from biyn; intelligence;
by implication, an argument; by extension, caprice -- discretion, reason ...
/hebrew/8394.htm - 6k

Justice and the Reason of Effects
... 294. On what shall man found the order of the world which he would govern? Shall
it be on the caprice of each individual? What confusion! ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pascal/pensees/section v justice and the.htm

But Origen Also, You Will Tell Us, in Composing his Work Called ...
... of Theodotion. How is this? You produce Origen sometimes for condemnation,
sometimes for imitation, at your own caprice. But can ...
/.../36 but origen also you.htm

No Soul Naturally Exempt from Dreams.
... that he used to withhold the power of visions and dreams from such as resorted to
his shrine for inspiration, it must lie at the will and caprice of the demons ...
/.../tertullian/a treatise on the soul/chapter xlix no soul naturally exempt.htm

The Meteor Shower (Preached at the Chapel Royal, St. James's, Nov. ...
... Terrible enough Nature looks to the savage, who thinks it crushes him from
mere caprice. More terrible still does Science make Nature ...
/.../kingsley/the water of life and other sermons/sermon xvi the meteor shower.htm

How There is no Reason which Can be Shown for the Selection of ...
... gods themselves in view when he says: "But, in truth, fortune rules in everything;
it renders all things famous or obscure, according to caprice rather than ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 3 how there is no.htm

A Parable in a Miracle
... He supposed, no doubt, as he was bound to suppose, in the absence of any plain
knowledge, that it was a mere matter of accident, of caprice, of momentary ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture d/a parable in a miracle.htm

Meditation and Reflection.
... render an exact account either of the thoughts of her mind or the movements of her
heart, she acts without aim or motive, governed solely by the caprice of her ...
/.../serious hours of a young lady/chapter xviii meditation and reflection.htm

Impressive Phrases
... fancy, humor, vagary, and caprice [vagary = extravagant or erratic notion or action].
fashion, practise, habit, and usage. ... mood, temper, humor, and caprice. ...
/.../kleiser/fifteen thousand useful phrases/section iv impressive phrases.htm

The Love of Rameses
... "Have respect for thyself and indulge their caprice no more.". ... As thy caprice turned
from Siptah to me, let it return thee to Siptah once again. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xxv the love of.htm

Manuscript Testimony Shewn to be Overwhelmingly in Favour of These ...
... of the text: (3) to the licentiousness of individuals, adopting some of these
corrections and rejecting others, according to their own private caprice [167] . ...
/.../chapter vii manuscript testimony shewn.htm

Caprice (3 Occurrences)
... 2. (vi) See Capriccio. Multi-Version Concordance Caprice (3 Occurrences). 2
Corinthians 1:17 Did I display any vacillation or caprice in this? ...
/c/caprice.htm - 7k

Fancy (1 Occurrence)
... 3. (n.) An opinion or notion formed without much reflection; caprice; whim;
impression. 4. (n.) Inclination; liking, formed by caprice...
/f/fancy.htm - 8k

Capricious (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (a.) Governed or characterized by caprice; apt to change
suddenly; freakish; whimsical; changeable. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/c/capricious.htm - 6k

Xerxes (24 Occurrences)
... He was finally murdered by his vizier and left an unenviable reputation for caprice
and cruelty. For the various Biblical references see AHASUERUS. ...
/x/xerxes.htm - 14k

Vacillating (1 Occurrence)
... wavering. Multi-Version Concordance Vacillating (1 Occurrence). 2 Corinthians
1:17 Did I display any vacillation or caprice in this? Or ...
/v/vacillating.htm - 6k

Vacillation (1 Occurrence)
... wavering. Multi-Version Concordance Vacillation (1 Occurrence). 2 Corinthians
1:17 Did I display any vacillation or caprice in this? Or ...
/v/vacillation.htm - 6k

Gales (1 Occurrence)
... ships, great as they are, and often driven along by strong gales, yet they can be
steered with a very small rudder in whichever direction the caprice of the ...
/g/gales.htm - 6k

Weighed (44 Occurrences)
... into private houses and carry off weak women as their prisoners--women who, weighed
down by the burden of their sins, are led by ever-changing caprice, (WEY NAS ...
/w/weighed.htm - 20k

Wrath (503 Occurrences)
... When used of God it is to be understood that there is the complete absence of that
caprice and unethical quality so prominent in the anger attributed to the ...
/w/wrath.htm - 50k

Worldly (25 Occurrences)
... in our relations with you. (WEY NIV). 2 Corinthians 1:17 Did I display any
vacillation or caprice in this? Or the purposes which I ...
/w/worldly.htm - 13k

Is being drunk in the Spirit a biblical experience? | GotQuestions.org

Caprice: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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