Revellings, as mentioned in the Bible, refer to excessive and boisterous festivities often associated with indulgence in sensual pleasures and immoral behavior. This term is typically used in a negative context, highlighting activities that are contrary to the virtues of self-control and sobriety encouraged in Christian teachings.

The Apostle Paul addresses the issue of revellings in his epistles, particularly in Galatians 5:19-21, where he lists them among the "works of the flesh." The passage states: "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, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God" . Here, revellings are grouped with other sinful behaviors that are seen as obstacles to inheriting the kingdom of God.

In 1 Peter 4:3, the Apostle Peter also warns against a lifestyle characterized by revellings. He writes: "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" . This verse underscores the transformation expected of believers, who are called to abandon their former ways and live in accordance with God's will.

The cultural context of the New Testament era often included pagan festivals and celebrations that were marked by excessive drinking, feasting, and immoral conduct. Such activities were common in Greco-Roman society and were often linked to the worship of various deities. The early Christian community was called to distinguish itself from these practices, emphasizing a life of holiness and moderation.

Revellings are seen as antithetical to the fruit of the Spirit, which includes self-control, as outlined in Galatians 5:22-23. The call to avoid revellings is part of a broader exhortation to live a life that reflects the character of Christ, marked by discipline and a focus on spiritual rather than fleshly desires.

In summary, revellings in the biblical context are associated with a lifestyle of excess and moral laxity, which believers are urged to forsake in favor of a life that honors God and exemplifies the virtues of the Christian faith.REVELLINGS

rev'-el-ingz (komos): The word is found both in the King James Version and in the Revised Version (British and American) in The Wisdom of Solomon 14:23 (the Revised Version (British and American) "revels," orgiastic heathen worship is in point); 2 Maccabees 6:4; Galatians 5:21 1 Peter 4:3. In Galatians 5:21 it is classed with fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, etc., as one of the works of the flesh. In 1 Peter 4:3 it is spoken of the Gentiles and is classcd with drunkenness and carousings and such like. In Romans 13:13 the Revised Version has "revelling" instead of the King James Version "rioting," and in 2 Peter 2:13, "revel" replaces "riot." Similarly in Amos 6:7, "revelry" replaces "banquet." The obvious meaning of the word is excessive and boisterous intemperance and lustful indulgence.

G. H. Gerberding

Of Carnal Life, which is to be Understood not Only of Living in ...
... lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife,
seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 2 of carnal life which.htm

Petilianus Said: "But He Thus Praises the Ointment of Concord ...
... uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, poisonings, hatred, variance, emulations,
wrath, strife, heresies, envyings, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of ...
/.../chapter 105 238 petilianus.htm

Letter xxix. (AD 395. )
... lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife,
seditions, heresies, envyings, murder, drunkenness, revellings, and such like ...
/.../augustine/the confessions and letters of st/letter xxix a d 395.htm

Sunday after Ascension Day
... uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousies, wraths,
factions, divisions, parties, envyings, drunkenness, revellings, and such ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol ii/sunday after ascension day.htm

The Death of Saint Patrick.
... Hard knocks in battles and tournaments, voyages by sea, and travels by land, hard
fare as well as gay revellings, fights with giants, monsters, wild beasts ...
/.../kingston/the seven champions of christendom/chapter fifteen the death of.htm

The Holy Spirit Bringing Forth in the Believer Christlike Graces ...
... uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousies, wraths,
factions, divisions, heresies, envyings, drunkenness, revellings and such ...
/.../torrey/the person and work of the holy spirit/chapter xiii the holy spirit.htm

Judged by Fruit
... lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife,
seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such ...
/.../howard/standards of life and service/xi judged by fruit.htm

Protesting Our Innocence?
... lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife,
divisions, parties, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings and such like ...
/.../hession/the calvary road/chapter 10 protesting our innocence.htm

And Also, when He Exhorts Us, that we Live not after the Flesh...
... uncleannesses, luxuries, idolatry, witchcrafts, hatreds, contentions, emulations,
wraths, strifes, heresies, envyings, drunkennesses, revellings, and such like ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/on continence/section 9 and also when.htm

Fourteenth Sunday after Trinity Works of the Flesh and Fruits of ...
... lasciviousness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousies, wraths, factions,
divisions, parties, 21 envyings, drunkenness, revellings, and such like ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol iii/fourteenth sunday after trinity works.htm

Revellings (2 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia REVELLINGS. rev'-el ... indulgence. GH Gerberding.
Multi-Version Concordance Revellings (2 Occurrences). Galatians ...
/r/revellings.htm - 8k

Lasciviousness (9 Occurrences)
... Peter (1 Peter 4:3) mentions those who "walked in lasciviousness, lusts, winebibbings,
revellings, carousings, and abominable idolatries." He speaks (2 Peter 2 ...
/l/lasciviousness.htm - 11k

Revelry (8 Occurrences)

/r/revelry.htm - 8k

Lasciviousnesses (3 Occurrences)
... Romans 13:13 as in day-time, let us walk becomingly; not in revellings and
drunkennesses, not in chamberings and lasciviousnesses, not in strife and emulation ...
/l/lasciviousnesses.htm - 7k

Winebibbings (1 Occurrence)
... the time past may suffice to have wrought the desire of the Gentiles, and to have
walked in lasciviousness, lusts, winebibbings, revellings, carousings, and ...
/w/winebibbings.htm - 6k

Revelling (1 Occurrence)

/r/revelling.htm - 6k

Excess (20 Occurrences)
... past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we
walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and ...
/e/excess.htm - 12k

Entertain (8 Occurrences)
... In the entertainments common in apostolic times among the Gentiles were frequent
"revellings," against which Christians were warned (Romans 13:13; Galatians 5 ...
/e/entertain.htm - 12k

Day-time (11 Occurrences)
... Romans 13:13 as in day-time, let us walk becomingly; not in revellings and
drunkennesses, not in chamberings and lasciviousnesses, not in strife and emulation ...
/d/day-time.htm - 9k

Daytime (18 Occurrences)
... Romans 13:13 as in day-time, let us walk becomingly; not in revellings and
drunkennesses, not in chamberings and lasciviousnesses, not in strife and emulation ...
/d/daytime.htm - 11k

What are revellings in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

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