Vileness
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Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Nature:
Vileness refers to the quality of being morally despicable or abhorrent. It encompasses actions, thoughts, and behaviors that are considered base, depraved, or wicked. In the biblical context, vileness is often associated with sin and the corruption of human nature, which stands in stark contrast to the holiness and righteousness of God.

Biblical References:
The concept of vileness is addressed in various passages throughout the Bible, highlighting the moral degradation that results from turning away from God's commandments.

1. Psalm 12:8 : "The wicked wander freely, and vileness is exalted among men." This verse illustrates the prevalence of vileness in a society where wickedness is unchecked and even celebrated. It serves as a lamentation of the moral decay that occurs when people stray from divine principles.

2. Isaiah 32:6 : "For a fool speaks foolishness, and his mind plots iniquity: to practice ungodliness and speak falsely about the LORD, to leave the hungry empty and deprive the thirsty of drink." Here, vileness is associated with foolishness and iniquity, manifesting in actions that are contrary to God's will, such as deceit and neglect of the needy.

3. Romans 1:28-32 : This passage describes the consequences of humanity's rejection of God, leading to a depraved mind and vile behaviors. It lists various sins, including envy, murder, strife, deceit, and malice, as evidence of a life given over to vileness.

Moral Implications:
Vileness is not merely an external act but a reflection of the heart's condition. Jesus emphasized this in Matthew 15:18-19 : "But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these things defile a man. For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander." This teaching underscores the importance of inner purity and the transformation of the heart through faith in Christ.

Contrast with Righteousness:
The Bible consistently contrasts vileness with righteousness, urging believers to pursue holiness and moral integrity. In Philippians 4:8 , Paul exhorts Christians to focus on whatever is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, and commendable, highlighting the virtues that stand in opposition to vileness.

Redemption and Transformation:
Despite the pervasive nature of vileness, the Bible offers hope for redemption and transformation through Jesus Christ. In 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 , Paul reminds believers that although some were once characterized by vile behaviors, they have been washed, sanctified, and justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of God. This transformation is central to the Christian message, emphasizing the power of God's grace to overcome vileness and restore righteousness.

Practical Application:
Believers are called to live lives that reflect God's holiness, rejecting vileness in all its forms. This involves a conscious effort to align one's thoughts, words, and actions with biblical teachings, relying on the Holy Spirit for guidance and strength. Ephesians 4:22-24 encourages Christians to "put off your former way of life, 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."

In summary, vileness is a significant biblical theme that highlights the moral challenges faced by humanity and the transformative power of God's grace in overcoming sin.
Strong's Hebrew
3445. yeshach -- perhaps emptiness
... 3444, 3445. yeshach. 3446 . perhaps emptiness. Transliteration: yeshach
Phonetic Spelling: (yeh'-shakh) Short Definition: vileness. ...
/hebrew/3445.htm - 5k

2149. zulluth -- worthlessness
... 2148b, 2149. zulluth. 2150 . worthlessness. Transliteration: zulluth
Phonetic Spelling: (zool-looth') Short Definition: vileness. ...
/hebrew/2149.htm - 6k

Library

Of True and Perfect Annihilation.
... of Annihilation, which consists in the abhorring of Honour, Dignity and Praise;
there being no reason that Dignity and Honour should be given to Vileness and a ...
/.../the spiritual guide which disentangles the soul/chap xix of true and.htm

Christian Stewardship.
... I had been laboring among a heathen people, and impressions by the eye are deep
and affecting. I had seen degradation and vileness, destitution and woe. ...
/.../dibble/thoughts on missions/chapter ii christian stewardship.htm

Pursues the Same Matter.
... I am infinitely glad that the vileness of my Soul cannot prejudice thy beauty: thou
entrest therefore into me, without going out of thy self; thou livest in ...
/.../the spiritual guide which disentangles the soul/chap xiv pursues the same.htm

Matt. vi. 28, 29
... Because He would point out how very far the argument may be carried both ways:
[935] both from the vileness [936] of the things that partake of such elegance ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily xxii matt vi 28.htm

That the Greatness and Charity of God is Shown to Men in the ...
... I confess therefore mine own vileness, I acknowledge Thy goodness, I praise Thy
tenderness, and I give Thee thanks for Thine exceeding great love. ...
/.../kempis/imitation of christ/chapter ii that the greatness.htm

"He is the Rock, his Work is Perfect, for all his Ways are ...
... his children," &c. There are none can behold their own vileness as it is,
but in the sight of God's glorious holiness. Sin is darkness ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon ii he is the.htm

But Woe is Thee, Thou Torrent of Human Custom! who Shall Stand ...
... Not one whit more easily are the words learnt for all this vileness; but
by their means the vileness is committed with less shame. ...
/.../augustine/the confessions of saint augustine/chapter xvi but woe is.htm

St. Ambrose Returns Again to the Subject of Christ...
... the eyes of some that they may see, [3368] and the Creator of all teaches us that
we ought to be mindful of our own nature, and to discern the vileness of our ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter x st ambrose returns.htm

He Disapproves of the Mode of Educating Youth, and He Points Out ...
... Not one whit more easily are the words learnt for this vileness, but by their
means is the vileness perpetrated with more confidence. ...
/.../the confessions and letters of st/chapter xvi he disapproves of the.htm

Chapter twenty-two
... The rags, the crowding, the vileness, the broken furniture, the horrible animal
existence forced upon creatures made in God's image were so skilfully shown in ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sheldon/in his steps/chapter twenty-two.htm

Thesaurus
Vileness (5 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Vileness (5 Occurrences). ... Psalms 12:8 The wicked walk
on every side, When vileness is exalted among the sons of men. ...
/v/vileness.htm - 8k

Viler (1 Occurrence)

/v/viler.htm - 6k

Vilely (2 Occurrences)

/v/vilely.htm - 6k

Infamy (8 Occurrences)
... in infamy. 2. (n.) A quality which exposes to disgrace; extreme baseness
or vileness; as, the infamy of an action. 3. (n.) That ...
/i/infamy.htm - 9k

Musician (112 Occurrences)
... (WEB DBY WBS). Psalms 12:8 The wicked walk on every side, When vileness is exalted
among the sons of men. Psalm 13 For the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David. ...
/m/musician.htm - 39k

Committeth (22 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 3:9 And it hath come to pass, from the vileness of her fornication, that
the land is defiled, and she committeth fornication with stone and with wood. ...
/c/committeth.htm - 13k

Psalm (213 Occurrences)
... (WEB JPS BBE DBY WBS YLT RSV NIV). Psalms 12:8 The wicked walk on every side, When
vileness is exalted among the sons of men. Psalm 13 For the Chief Musician. ...
/p/psalm.htm - 37k

Persian (4 Occurrences)
... The vileness which led to the identification of Anahita with the Babylonian Mylitta
was doubtless of later date than Zoroaster's time, yet there was little or ...
/p/persian.htm - 45k

Ancient (64 Occurrences)
... The vileness which led to the identification of Anahita with the Babylonian Mylitta
was doubtless of later date than Zoroaster's time, yet there was little or ...
/a/ancient.htm - 98k

Resources
What is the living Word? | GotQuestions.org

Vileness: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Concordance
Vileness (5 Occurrences)

Judges 20:10
and we will take ten men of one hundred throughout all the tribes of Israel, and one hundred of one thousand, and a thousand out of ten thousand, to get food for the people, that they may do, when they come to Gibeah of Benjamin, according to all the folly that they have worked in Israel."
(See NIV)

Psalms 12:8
The wicked walk on every side, When vileness is exalted among the sons of men.
(See JPS ASV DBY YLT NAS RSV)

Isaiah 9:17
Therefore the Lord shall have no joy in their young men, neither shall He have compassion on their fatherless and widows; for every one is ungodly and an evil-doer, and every mouth speaketh wantonness. For all this His anger is not turned away, but His hand is stretched out still.
(See NIV)

Jeremiah 3:9
And it hath come to pass, from the vileness of her fornication, that the land is defiled, and she committeth fornication with stone and with wood.
(YLT)

Micah 6:14
You shall eat, but not be satisfied. Your humiliation will be in your midst. You will store up, but not save; and that which you save I will give up to the sword.
(See NAS)

Subtopics

Vileness

Related Terms

Vileness (5 Occurrences)

Vilest (5 Occurrences)

Vilely
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