In biblical terms, the concept of profligacy is often associated with a lifestyle characterized by reckless extravagance, moral decay, and indulgence in sinful behaviors. The Bible addresses the dangers and consequences of such a lifestyle, urging believers to pursue righteousness and self-control.

Old Testament Context

The Old Testament frequently warns against the dangers of living a profligate life. The Book of Proverbs, known for its wisdom literature, provides numerous admonitions against indulgence and excess. Proverbs 21:17 states, "He who loves pleasure will become poor; whoever loves wine and oil will never be rich." This verse highlights the financial and moral ruin that can accompany a life of excess and indulgence.

The account of the prodigal son, though found in the New Testament, echoes themes present in the Old Testament. The narrative of Israel's repeated turning away from God to pursue idolatry and sinful practices serves as a backdrop for understanding the consequences of profligacy. The Israelites' frequent lapses into sin and the resulting divine judgment underscore the dangers of abandoning a life of obedience to God.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32) is perhaps the most illustrative example of profligacy. The younger son demands his inheritance, leaves home, and squanders his wealth in "wild living" (Luke 15:13). His eventual destitution and repentance serve as a powerful lesson on the futility and destructiveness of a profligate lifestyle. The father's forgiveness upon the son's return also highlights the theme of redemption and grace available to those who repent.

The Apostle Paul addresses the issue of profligacy in his epistles, urging believers to live lives marked by self-control and holiness. In Ephesians 5:18, Paul warns, "Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to reckless indiscretion. Instead, be filled with the Spirit." Here, Paul contrasts the destructive nature of indulgence with the life-giving presence of the Holy Spirit.

Moral and Spiritual Implications

The Bible consistently portrays profligacy as a path leading away from God and toward spiritual and moral ruin. The pursuit of pleasure and material wealth at the expense of spiritual values is condemned. In 1 Peter 4:3-4, believers are reminded, "For you have spent enough time in the past carrying out the same desires as the Gentiles—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing, and detestable idolatry. Because of this, they consider it strange of you not to plunge with them into the same flood of reckless indiscretion, and they heap abuse on you."

Call to Righteous Living

The biblical response to profligacy is a call to righteousness, self-discipline, and a life devoted to God. Believers are encouraged to seek the fruits of the Spirit, which include self-control, as outlined in Galatians 5:22-23. The Bible emphasizes the importance of living a life that honors God, avoiding the pitfalls of excess and moral decay.

In summary, the Bible's treatment of profligacy serves as a warning against the dangers of a life consumed by indulgence and sin. It calls believers to a higher standard of living, marked by holiness, self-control, and a commitment to God's ways.

Recapitulation of the Contents of the First Book.
... over those broken-hearted and humiliated, though chaste and holy women; these fellows
themselves being most depraved and unmanly profligates, quite degenerate ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 2 recapitulation of the contents.htm

The Holy Communion.
... All these notorious sinners! All these open profligates! All these burdened
with mortal sin, cutting them off from the grace of God! ...
/.../the village pulpit volume ii trinity to advent/xxxix the holy communion.htm

On the Advisableness of Improving Natural Knowledge.
... by the wailing of the mourners of fifty thousand dead; by the woful denunciations
and mad prayers of fanatics; and by the madder yells of despairing profligates ...
/.../huxley/lay sermons addresses and reviews/i on the advisableness of.htm

Rome had Passed the Summits and Stood Looking into the Dark Valley ...
... The splendor of the capital had attracted from all nations the idle rich, gamblers,
speculators, voluptuaries, profligates, intriguers, criminals. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bacheller/vergilius/chapter 1 rome had passed.htm

The Mystery of the Cross. A Good Friday Sermon.
... It would be easy to ignore such persons, were they scoffers or profligates: but
when they number among their ranks men of virtuous lives, of earnest and most ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/westminster sermons/sermon i the mystery of.htm

John's Rebuke of Herod.
... Warriors, paupers, profligates"some admiring the nobleness of religious life, others
needing it to fill up the empty hollow of an unsatisfied heart; the ...
/.../robertson/sermons preached at brighton/xxi johns rebuke of herod.htm

Thirteenth Day. Gentleness in Rebuke.
... When others are speaking of merciless violence, He can dismiss the most guilty of
profligates with the words, "Neither do I condemn thee; go, and sin no more.". ...
/.../macduff/the mind of jesus/thirteenth day gentleness in rebuke.htm

The Rock of Ages
... If you lust after evil things, as those old Jews did; if you are idolaters, as they
were; if you are profligates, as they were; if you tempt Christ, as they did ...
/.../kingsley/town and country sermons/sermon xiv the rock of.htm

Human Soot
... as they are now called; and either already belong to, or are likely to sink into,
the dangerous classes"professional law-breakers, profligates, and barbarians ...
/.../kingsley/all saints day and other sermons/sermon xxxiii human soot.htm

The Chaff Driven Away
... there are not many in this hall who may be called scorners; and, perhaps, not very
many who would come under the denomination of open profligates and rebels ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/the chaff driven away.htm

Profligates (2 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Profligates (2 Occurrences). 2 Timothy 3:3 without
natural affection, unforgiving, slanderers, without ...
/p/profligates.htm - 6k

Profound (7 Occurrences)

/p/profound.htm - 8k

Profligate (3 Occurrences)

/p/profligate.htm - 7k

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