The term "profligate" refers to a person who is recklessly extravagant or wasteful in the use of resources, often associated with moral decay and indulgence in sinful behaviors. In the context of the Bible, profligacy is often linked to a lifestyle that is contrary to the teachings of Scripture, characterized by excess, immorality, and a lack of self-control.

Biblical References and Themes

1. Prodigality and Wastefulness: The parable of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15:11-32 is a quintessential biblical illustration of profligacy. The younger son demands his inheritance and squanders it in "wild living" (Luke 15:13). His actions epitomize the wasteful and reckless behavior associated with being profligate. The narrative highlights the consequences of such a lifestyle, leading to destitution and regret.

2. Moral Decay and Sinfulness: Proverbs frequently warns against the dangers of living a profligate life. Proverbs 21:17 states, "He who loves pleasure will become poor; whoever loves wine and oil will never be rich" . This verse underscores the link between indulgence in pleasures and the resulting poverty, both materially and spiritually.

3. Lack of Self-Control: The Bible emphasizes self-control as a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). A profligate lifestyle is often marked by a lack of this virtue, leading to behaviors that are destructive both to oneself and to others. Titus 2:11-12 encourages believers to "say 'No' to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in this present age" .

4. Consequences of Profligacy: The Bible warns of the dire consequences of a profligate lifestyle. In Romans 13:13-14, Paul admonishes believers to "behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy" . The passage calls for a rejection of profligate behaviors in favor of living a life that honors God.

5. Repentance and Redemption: Despite the negative portrayal of profligacy, the Bible also offers hope for redemption. The account of the Prodigal Son concludes with the father's forgiveness and acceptance of his repentant son (Luke 15:20-24). This reflects the biblical theme of God's grace and willingness to forgive those who turn away from their sinful ways and seek reconciliation with Him.

Historical and Cultural Context

In the ancient Near Eastern context, profligacy was often associated with the behaviors of the wealthy elite, who had the means to indulge in excess. The biblical texts frequently critique such lifestyles, emphasizing the virtues of moderation, stewardship, and responsibility. The warnings against profligacy served as a call to the Israelites to live in a manner that reflected their covenant relationship with God, avoiding the pitfalls of the surrounding pagan cultures.

Theological Implications

From a theological perspective, profligacy is seen as a manifestation of the sinful nature that separates humanity from God. It represents a rejection of divine wisdom and a pursuit of worldly pleasures that ultimately lead to spiritual emptiness. The call to abandon profligate ways is a call to embrace a life of holiness, aligning one's actions with the will of God as revealed in Scripture.

Practical Application

For contemporary believers, the biblical teachings on profligacy serve as a reminder to exercise discernment and self-control in all areas of life. Christians are encouraged to live in a way that reflects their faith, avoiding the temptations of excess and immorality. By doing so, they bear witness to the transformative power of the Gospel and the hope of eternal life in Christ.1. (a.) Broken down in principle, virtue, or decency; openly and shamelessly immoral or vicious; dissolute; as, profligate man or wretch.

2. (a.) Overthrown; beaten; conquered.

3. (n.) An abandoned person; one openly and shamelessly vicious; a dissolute person.

4. (v. t.) To drive away; to overcome.

811. asotos -- wastefully
... Cognate: 811 (akin to , "a prodigal") -- because of "loose living," ie a debauched,
profligate lifestyle (used only in Lk 15:13). See 810 (). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/811.htm - 6k

If we are to Preserve Our Modesty we must Avoid Fellowship with ...
... by St. Ambrose, Bishop of Milan. Book I. Chapter XX. If we are to preserve
our modesty we must avoid fellowship with profligate men? ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter xx if we are.htm

Sins of Parents visited
... If a family, or a class, or a whole nation becomes incorrigibly profligate, foolish,
base, in three or four generations they will either die out or vanish. ...
/.../kingsley/all saints day and other sermons/sermon xxvi sins of parents.htm

Satan's Banquet
... 1. At the first table to which I shall invite your attention, though I beseech
you never to sit down and drink thereat, sit the PROFLIGATE. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/satans banquet.htm

Vesalius the Anatomist {9}
... His profligate career seems to have brought its own punishment. To the
scandal of his father, who tolerated no one's vices save ...
/.../kingsley/historical lectures and essays/vesalius the anatomist 9.htm

The End of Cambyses.
... Cambyses's profligate conduct."He marries his own sisters."Consultation of the Persian
judges."Their opinion."Smerdis."Jealousy of Cambyses."The ...
//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/darius the great/chapter ii the end of.htm

The Eighth Book
... Worse than this, however evil a man is, however profligate, he would rather be falsely
praised than rightly reproved, and prefers to be deceived by the mockery ...
//christianbookshelf.org/salvian/on the government of god/the eighth book.htm

The Jewish Rebellions
... Wicked emperors of Rome and profligate governors of provinces were about to
persecute them. ... He was a peculiarly profligate and luxurious man. ...
/.../kingsley/discipline and other sermons/sermon xv the jewish rebellions.htm

The Baptism in Fire
... another master; then changing the free wilderness for a prison cell, and tortured
by morbid doubts; finally murdered as the victim of a profligate woman's hate ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/the baptism in fire.htm

It is Probable, However, that He Meant to Convey Some Such Meaning ...
... And who will not agree that he who burst, accompanied with a flute-player and a
party of revellers, his profligate associates, into the school of the venerable ...
/.../origen/origen against celsus/chapter lxvii it is probable.htm

Cicero's Opinion of the Roman Republic.
... as it holds together and continues in being, and if they therefore pooh-pooh the
testimony of Sallust to its "utterly wicked and profligate" condition, what ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 21 ciceros opinion of the.htm

Profligate (3 Occurrences)
... 1. (a.) Broken down in principle, virtue, or decency; openly and shamelessly
immoral or vicious; dissolute; as, profligate man or wretch. ...
/p/profligate.htm - 7k

Nero
... Noah Webster's Dictionary. (n.) A Roman emperor notorious for debauchery and barbarous
cruelty; hence, any profligate and cruel ruler or merciless tyrant. Int. ...
/n/nero.htm - 41k

Unmanageable (3 Occurrences)
... 21:20 and they shall say unto the elders of his city, This our son is unmanageable
and rebellious, he hearkeneth not unto our voice; he is a profligate and a ...
/u/unmanageable.htm - 7k

Libertine
... 5. (n.) Free from restraint; uncontrolled. 6. (n.) Dissolute; licentious; profligate;
loose in morals; as, libertine principles or manners. ...
/l/libertine.htm - 7k

Gross (12 Occurrences)
... have been guilty. (WEY). James 5:5 Here on earth you have lived self-indulgent
and profligate lives. You have stupefied yourselves ...
/g/gross.htm - 11k

Wicked (476 Occurrences)
... Evil in principle or practice; deviating from morality; contrary to the moral or
divine law; addicted to vice or sin; sinful; immoral; profligate; -- said of ...
/w/wicked.htm - 37k

Feeding (37 Occurrences)
... close a follower. (WEY). James 5:5 Here on earth you have lived self-indulgent
and profligate lives. You have stupefied yourselves ...
/f/feeding.htm - 17k

Reform (28 Occurrences)
... to restore to a former good state, or bring from bad to good; to change from worse
to better; to amend; to correct; as, to reform a profligate man; to reform ...
/r/reform.htm - 16k

Riot (14 Occurrences)
... by the Revised Version (British and American) in Luke 15:13 Titus 1:6 1 Peter
4:4 for asotos, asotia, "having no hope of safety," "profligate." In Proverbs 23 ...
/r/riot.htm - 12k

Dissolute (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (a.) Loose in morals and conduct; recklessly abandoned
to sensual pleasures; lewd; profligate; wanton; debauched. ...
/d/dissolute.htm - 6k

What is libertinism? What is a libertine? | GotQuestions.org

Profligate: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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