The term "corruptly" in the Bible refers to actions, behaviors, or attitudes that deviate from God's standards of holiness and righteousness. It is often associated with moral decay, dishonesty, and the perversion of justice. The concept of corruption is addressed throughout Scripture, highlighting the consequences of turning away from God's commandments and the need for repentance and restoration.

Old Testament References

In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word often translated as "corruptly" is "shachath," which conveys the idea of being spoiled, ruined, or morally perverted. One of the earliest mentions of corruption is found in Genesis 6:11-12, where it describes the state of the earth before the flood: "Now the earth was corrupt in the sight of God, and full of violence. God looked upon the earth and saw that it was corrupt; for all living creatures on the earth had corrupted their ways."

The Israelites are repeatedly warned against acting corruptly by turning to idolatry and forsaking God's laws. In Deuteronomy 4:16, Moses cautions the people: "So that you do not act corruptly and make for yourselves an idol in the form of any figure, the likeness of male or female." This warning underscores the connection between corruption and idolatry, emphasizing the spiritual decay that results from worshiping false gods.

The theme of corruption is also evident in the leadership of Israel. In 1 Samuel 8:3, the sons of Samuel are described as acting corruptly: "But his sons did not walk in his ways; they turned aside after dishonest gain, accepted bribes, and perverted justice." This passage highlights the impact of corrupt leadership on the nation and the importance of integrity in those who hold positions of authority.

New Testament References

In the New Testament, the Greek word "phtheiro" is used to describe corruption, often in the context of moral and spiritual decay. The Apostle Paul addresses the issue of corruption in Galatians 6:8: "The one who sows to please his flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; but the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life." Here, Paul contrasts the corrupt nature of the flesh with the life-giving power of the Spirit, urging believers to pursue righteousness.

Corruption is also linked to false teachings and the distortion of the gospel. In 2 Corinthians 11:3, Paul expresses concern for the Corinthian church: "I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ." This warning against being led astray by corrupt influences underscores the need for vigilance in maintaining doctrinal purity.

Moral and Spiritual Implications

The Bible consistently portrays corruption as a deviation from God's perfect will, leading to spiritual and moral decay. It is often associated with idolatry, injustice, and the pursuit of selfish desires. The consequences of acting corruptly are severe, resulting in separation from God and the breakdown of community and society.

Believers are called to live lives of integrity, resisting the temptations of corruption and striving to reflect God's holiness. In Ephesians 4:22-24, Paul exhorts Christians: "You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off 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."

The biblical call to reject corruption and embrace righteousness is a central theme throughout Scripture, urging individuals and communities to align themselves with God's standards and seek His guidance in all aspects of life.(adv.) In a corrupt manner; by means of corruption or corrupting influences; wrongfully.2254b. chabal -- to act corruptly
... 2254a, 2254b. chabal. 2255 . to act corruptly. Transliteration: chabal
Short Definition: destroy. Word Origin a prim. root Definition ...
/hebrew/2254b.htm - 5k

7843. shachath -- perhaps to go to ruin
... root Definition perhaps to go to ruin NASB Word Usage act corruptly (4),
act...corruptly (1), acted corruptly (3), acted...corruptly (1), acting corruptly ( ...
/hebrew/7843.htm - 6k

2254. chabal -- to bind, pledge
... to bind, pledge. Transliteration: chabal Phonetic Spelling: (khaw-bal') Short
Definition: band. band, bring forth, deal corruptly, destroy, offend, spoil, ...
/hebrew/2254.htm - 5k

And all this He Will do Corruptly and Deceitfully...
... And all this he will do corruptly and deceitfully? And all this he will do corruptly
and deceitfully, and with the purpose of deluding all to make him king. ...
/.../the extant works and fragments of hippolytus/piece xxiv and all this.htm

But Let us Consider what are the Arguments by which He Tries to ...
... If, I reply, we admit that everything in a book which is offensive is corruptly
inserted by others, nothing will remain belonging to the author under whose ...
/.../17 but let us consider.htm

First, the Practical Duties which the Christian Religion Enjoins,
... improved, augmented, and exalted to the highest degree of perfection,) that ever
were taught singly and scatteredly, and many times but very corruptly by the ...
/.../x proposition x first the.htm

Isaiah's Discourse
... Ah sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evil-doers, children that
deal corruptly: they have forsaken the LORD, they have despised the Holy ...
/.../various/select masterpieces of biblical literature/iii isaiahs discourse.htm

To Urban vi
... consolations. So he does whatever he may do imperfectly and corruptly, because
his chief impulse, through which he acts, is corrupt. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/benincasa/letters of catherine benincasa/to urban vi.htm

Two Households
... suggested be accepted. He is one of that foul Herodian brood, in all of
whom the bad Idumaean blood ran corruptly. The grandson ...
/.../maclaren/romans corinthians to ii corinthians chap v/two households.htm

O virgin-Youth that Art Become Bridegroom, Move to a Little ...
... 4. Lo the spouse of thy Lord is with thee! keep her from all harm, and from men
that deal corruptly, and call the congregations by their own names. ...
/.../hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/hymn xx o virgin-youth that.htm

A Reformer's Schooling
... the sins of the children of Israel, which we have sinned against Thee: both I and
my father's house have sinned.7. We have dealt very corruptly against Thee ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/a reformers schooling.htm

For at that Time the Trumpet Shall Sound, and Awake those that ...
... heaven shall be rolled together like a scroll: [1986] the whole earth shall be burnt
up by reason of the deeds done in it, which men did corruptly, [1987] in ...
/.../the extant works and fragments of hippolytus/piece xxxvii for at that.htm

How the Holy Man, Egbert, Would have Gone into Germany to Preach ...
... whom the Angles or Saxons, who now inhabit Britain, are known to have derived their
race and origin; for which reason they are still corruptly called "Garmans ...
/.../bede/bedes ecclesiastical history of england/chap ix how the holy.htm

Corruptly (20 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Corruptly (20 Occurrences). ... for thy people, which thou
hast brought out of the land of Egypt, is acting corruptly. (DBY JPS YLT). ...
/c/corruptly.htm - 12k

Corruption (37 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 32:5 They have dealt corruptly with him, they are not his children,
it is their blemish; They are a perverse and crooked generation. (See JPS). ...
/c/corruption.htm - 21k

Corrupt (59 Occurrences)
... Judges 2:19 But it happened, when the judge was dead, that they turned back, and
dealt more corruptly than their fathers, in following other gods to serve them ...
/c/corrupt.htm - 25k

Wickedly (34 Occurrences)
... (adv.) In a wicked manner; in a manner, or with motives and designs, contrary to
the divine law or the law of morality; viciously; corruptly; immorally. ...
/w/wickedly.htm - 17k

Provoking (29 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 4:25 When thou shalt beget children, and children's children, and ye
shall have been long in the land, and shall deal corruptly, and make a graven ...
/p/provoking.htm - 16k

Practices (80 Occurrences)
... Judges 2:19 But it came to pass, when the judge was dead, that they turned back,
and dealt more corruptly than their fathers, in following other gods to serve ...
/p/practices.htm - 29k

Dealt (130 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 32:5 They have dealt corruptly with him, they are not his children,
it is their blemish. They are (WEB ASV DBY RSV). ...
/d/dealt.htm - 37k

Overseer (84 Occurrences)
... By David. A fool hath said in his heart, 'God is not;' They have done corruptly,
They have done abominable actions, There is not a doer of good. (YLT). ...
/o/overseer.htm - 32k

Acting (102 Occurrences)
... for thy people, which thou hast brought out of the land of Egypt, is acting
corruptly. (DBY). ... The people did yet corruptly. (See NAS). ...
/a/acting.htm - 37k

Acted (98 Occurrences)
... 2 Chronicles 26:16 But when he was strong, his heart was lifted up, so that he did
corruptly, and he trespassed against Yahweh his God; for he went into the ...
/a/acted.htm - 37k

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