Loathsomeness, in a biblical context, refers to that which is detestable, repugnant, or abominable in the sight of God. It is often associated with sin, moral corruption, and actions that are contrary to the holiness and righteousness of God. The concept of loathsomeness is woven throughout Scripture, highlighting the stark contrast between God's purity and human depravity.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, loathsomeness is frequently linked to idolatry and the practices of pagan nations. The Israelites were repeatedly warned against adopting the detestable customs of the surrounding peoples. In Leviticus 18:30 , God commands, "You must keep My charge not to practice any of the abominable customs that were practiced before you, so that you do not defile yourselves by them. I am the LORD your God."

The prophets also spoke against the loathsome practices of Israel, which included idolatry, injustice, and immorality. In Ezekiel 16:58 , God declares, "You will bear the consequences of your lewdness and your abominations, declares the LORD."

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, loathsomeness is often associated with the sinful nature and the works of the flesh. The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Galatians, lists the acts of the flesh, which are loathsome to God: "The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery; idolatry and sorcery; hatred, discord, jealousy, and rage; rivalries, divisions, factions, and envy; drunkenness, carousing, and the like" (Galatians 5:19-21).

Jesus Himself addressed the loathsomeness of hypocrisy and self-righteousness, particularly among the religious leaders of His day. In Matthew 23:27-28 , He rebukes them, saying, "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men’s bones and every kind of impurity. In the same way, on the outside you appear to be righteous, but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness."

Spiritual Implications

Loathsomeness is not merely an external issue but a matter of the heart. Scripture teaches that sin originates from within and defiles a person. Jesus explains in Mark 7:20-23 , "What comes out of a man, that is what defiles him. For from within the hearts of men come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, wickedness, deceit, debauchery, envy, slander, arrogance, and foolishness. All these evils come from within, and these are what defile a man."

Redemption and Transformation

Despite the loathsomeness of sin, the Bible offers hope through redemption and transformation in Christ. Believers are called to put off the old self, which is corrupted by deceitful desires, and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness (Ephesians 4:22-24). Through the power of the Holy Spirit, Christians are enabled to live lives that are pleasing to God, free from the loathsomeness of sin.

In summary, loathsomeness in the Bible underscores the seriousness of sin and the need for repentance and renewal. It serves as a reminder of God's holiness and the transformative power of His grace in the lives of those who turn to Him.

The Blood of the Testament
... become man, that he might offer his own, immaculate life upon the altar of God to
expiate the guilt, and put away the filth and the loathsomeness of human ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 58 1912/the blood of the testament.htm

"If we Confess Our Sins, He is Faithful and Just to Forgive us Our ...
... of that nature which I have described,"general, ignorant, senseless, without any
particular view, or lively feeling, of the vileness and loathsomeness of sin ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon xvii if we confess.htm

"If we Confess Our Sins, He is Faithful and Just to Forgive us Our ...
... it; but while he confesseth it without sense or feeling, he declares that he takes
it not up as sin, hath not found the vileness and loathsomeness of the ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon xix if we confess.htm

A Divided Heart
... But his loathsomeness is worse than this, because all the while that he is really
living in sin, he is a loathsome hypocrite, pretending that he is a child of ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/a divided heart.htm

"But we are all as an Unclean Thing, and all Our Righteousnesses ...
... They not only conclude so of the natural estate they were born in, and the
loathsomeness of their many foul scandals among them; but they go a further length ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon xv but we are.htm

Ephesians ii. 11, 12
... but when she leaves it destitute of her own native energy and departs, like a painter
confounding his colors together, the greatest loathsomeness ensues, every ...
/.../homily v ephesians ii 11.htm

Security of Christians.
... It is not our meanness in the world, nor our weakness of faith, that shall hinder
this; nor shall the loathsomeness of our diseases make these delicate spirits ...
/.../bunyan/the riches of bunyan/xvi security of christians.htm

Spiritual Resurrection
... of mine must be a carnival for worms; that in and out of these places, where my
eyes are glistening, foul things, the offspring of loathsomeness, shall crawl ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/spiritual resurrection.htm

Liii. Smitten of God.
... nothing; but if you are one of His foes, you do well to fear everything, for you
might, like Herod, have to sink from magnificence to loathsomeness, and know ...
//christianbookshelf.org/champness/broken bread/liii smitten of god.htm

How a Man Shall Know when his Thought is no Sin; and if it be Sin ...
... Or else a fell disdain and a manner of loathsomeness of their person, with
despiteful and condemning thoughts, the which is called Envy. ...
/.../anonymous/the cloud of unknowing/here beginneth the tenth chapter.htm

Loathsomeness (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Loathsomeness (1 Occurrence). Ezekiel 16:5 No
eye pitied thee, to do any of these things unto thee, to ...
/l/loathsomeness.htm - 6k

Loathsome (20 Occurrences)

/l/loathsome.htm - 12k

Abomination (78 Occurrences)
... It would be well if these words could be distinguished in translation, as they
denote different degrees of abhorrence or loathsomeness. ...
/a/abomination.htm - 55k

Loaves (54 Occurrences)

/l/loaves.htm - 23k

What is the conviction of sin? | GotQuestions.org

Loathsomeness: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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