The term "voluptuous" is often associated with sensual pleasure and indulgence in physical desires. In a biblical context, it is important to understand how such concepts are addressed within Scripture, particularly in relation to the moral and spiritual life of a believer.

Biblical References and Context

While the specific term "voluptuous" does not appear in the Berean Standard Bible, the concept is addressed through various passages that warn against the dangers of succumbing to fleshly desires and the pursuit of pleasure. The Bible frequently contrasts the life led by the Spirit with one dominated by the desires of the flesh.

In Galatians 5:19-21 , the Apostle Paul lists the "acts of the flesh," which include "sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery." These acts are often associated with a voluptuous lifestyle, characterized by indulgence in sensual pleasures. Paul warns that "those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God."

The Book of Proverbs also provides wisdom on the dangers of pursuing a life centered on pleasure. Proverbs 21:17 states, "He who loves pleasure will become poor; whoever loves wine and oil will never be rich." This verse highlights the potential consequences of prioritizing sensual gratification over spiritual and moral responsibilities.

Moral and Spiritual Implications

The Bible consistently encourages believers to live a life of self-control and to avoid the temptations of a voluptuous lifestyle. In 1 Peter 2:11 , Peter urges, "Beloved, I urge you as foreigners and exiles to abstain from the desires of the flesh, which war against your soul." This exhortation underscores the spiritual battle that believers face in resisting the allure of worldly pleasures.

Furthermore, the call to holiness is a recurring theme in Scripture. In 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5 , Paul writes, "For it is God’s will that you should be holy: You must abstain from sexual immorality; each of you must know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, not in lustful passion like the Gentiles who do not know God." This passage emphasizes the importance of living a life that honors God, rather than one driven by lustful desires.

Cultural and Historical Considerations

In the cultural context of the biblical world, societies often engaged in practices that were considered voluptuous, such as feasting, excessive drinking, and sexual immorality. These practices were sometimes linked to pagan worship and idolatry, which the Israelites were repeatedly warned against. The prophets frequently condemned such behaviors, calling the people back to a covenant relationship with God.

The New Testament continues this theme, as the early church was situated in a Greco-Roman culture that often celebrated indulgence and excess. The apostles' teachings served as a countercultural call to live distinctively as followers of Christ, rejecting the hedonistic values of the surrounding society.

Practical Application for Believers

Believers are called to exercise discernment and self-discipline in their daily lives, avoiding the pitfalls of a voluptuous lifestyle. Romans 13:13-14 advises, "Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. Instead, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the desires of the flesh."

By focusing on spiritual growth and cultivating the fruit of the Spirit, Christians are encouraged to live in a manner that reflects their identity in Christ, resisting the temptations of a world that often prioritizes sensual pleasure over spiritual integrity.1. (a.) Full of delight or pleasure; exciting sensual desires; luxurious; sensual; as, voluptuous beauty.

2. (a.) Given to the enjoyments of luxury and pleasure; indulging to excess in sensual gratifications.

5369. philedonos -- loving pleasure
... loving pleasure. From philos and hedone; fond of pleasure, ie Voluptuous -- lover
of pleasure. see GREEK philos. see GREEK hedone. (philedonoi) -- 1 Occurrence. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5369.htm - 6k

2691. katastreniao -- to become wanton against
... to be ruled by a physical desire. From kata and streniao; to become voluptuous against
-- begin to wax wanton against. see GREEK kata. see GREEK streniao. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2691.htm - 6k

4684. spatalao -- to live riotously
... live in pleasure, be wanton. From spatale (luxury); to be voluptuous -- live in
pleasure, be wanton. (espatalesate) -- 1 Occurrence. (spatalosa) -- 1 Occurrence ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4684.htm - 6k

5719. adin -- voluptuous
... adin. 5720 . voluptuous. Transliteration: adin Phonetic Spelling: (aw-deen') Short
Definition: one. ... From adan; voluptuous -- given to pleasures. see HEBREW adan ...
/hebrew/5719.htm - 6k

5722. Adino -- "voluptuous," one of David's heroes
... 5721, 5722. Adino. 5723 . "voluptuous," one of David's heroes. Transliteration:
Adino Phonetic Spelling: (ad-ee-no') Short Definition: Adino. ...
/hebrew/5722.htm - 6k

Of the Two Classes of Voluptuous Men, and of their Death, Falling ...
... Similitude Sixth. Of the Two Classes of Voluptuous Men, and of Their Death,
Falling Away, and the Duration of Their Punishment. Chap. I. ...
/.../pastor/the pastor books first second third/similitude sixth of the two.htm

Concerning Free-Will
... man of Ithaca, according to the legend of the Greeks, when he wished to hear the
song of the Sirens, on account of the charm of their voluptuous voice, sailed ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/methodius/concerning free-will/concerning free-will.htm

For the King There were Three Great Perils: the People...
... Herod's family, with its evil sister, its profligate sons, its voluptuous daughters,
its wives, of whom it is enough to say they were nine, its intrigues and ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bacheller/vergilius/chapter 16 for the king.htm

Saurin -- Paul Before Felix and Drusilla
... or governor, accustomed to see every one humble at his feet; as an avaricious
magistrate, loaded with extortions and crimes; in short, as a voluptuous man, who ...
/.../kleiser/the worlds great sermons volume 3/saurin paul before felix.htm

John's Rebuke of Herod.
... shivers? Is the iron prophet melting into voluptuous softness? Is he getting
the world's manners and the world's courtly insincerity? ...
/.../robertson/sermons preached at brighton/xxi johns rebuke of herod.htm

On Drinking.
... Such a life as this (if life it must be called, which is spent in idleness, in
agitation about voluptuous indulgences, and in the hallucinations of debauchery ...
/.../clement/the instructor paedagogus/chapter ii on drinking.htm

The Pastor: Books First, Second, Third
... Similitude Sixth. Of the Two Classes of Voluptuous Men, and of Their Death, Falling
Away, and the Duration of Their Punishment. Similitude Seventh. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pastor/the pastor books first second third/

Grant Now, O Blessed, that Even to Christians the Prison is ...
... at the goal of final judgment we may be brought forth well disciplined by many a
trial; since virtue is built up by hardships, as by voluptuous indulgence it ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tertullian/ad martyras/chapter iii grant now o.htm

Design of the Treatise. Disavowal of Personal Motives in Writing ...
... There will at that day be no resumption of voluptuous disgrace between us. No such
frivolities, no such impurities, does God promise to His (servants). ...
/.../tertullian/to his wife/chapter i design of the treatise.htm

Preface.
... searcher into the works of nature that any age has known, and who saw atheism and
infidelity beginning to shew themselves in the loose and voluptuous reign of ...
/.../the evidences of the christian religion with additional discourses/preface.htm

Voluptuous (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Full of delight or pleasure; exciting sensual
desires; luxurious; sensual; as, voluptuous beauty. ...Voluptuous (1 Occurrence). ...
/v/voluptuous.htm - 7k

Delicate (32 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Addicted to pleasure; luxurious; voluptuous;
alluring. 2. (a.) Pleasing to the senses; refinedly ...
/d/delicate.htm - 19k

Delicately (11 Occurrences)
... American) agatha, "good things." The adjective seems to have two meanings, though
not easily distinguished: (1) tenderly reared, and (2) wanton or voluptuous. ...
/d/delicately.htm - 11k

Vomit (12 Occurrences)

/v/vomit.htm - 10k

Volunteers (1 Occurrence)

/v/volunteers.htm - 6k

Kine (24 Occurrences)
... paroth `aloth (1 Samuel 6:7, 10), "milch kine," from `ul, "to suckle"; 'eleph):
In Amos 4:1, the term, "kine of Bashan," is applied to the voluptuous women of ...
/k/kine.htm - 16k

Lascivious (2 Occurrences)
... 1. (a.) Lewd; lustful; salacious; as, lascivious desires. 2. (a.) Tending to
produce voluptuous or lewd emotions. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/l/lascivious.htm - 7k

Lydian
... hence, soft; effeminate; -- said especially of one of the ancient Greek modes or
keys, the music in which was of a soft, pathetic, or voluptuous character. ...
/l/lydian.htm - 6k

Delicacy (1 Occurrence)
... for earnest action. 4. (a.) Addiction to pleasure; luxury; daintiness;
indulgence; luxurious or voluptuous treatment. 5. (a.) Nice ...
/d/delicacy.htm - 8k

Dally
... 1. (vi) To waste time in effeminate or voluptuous pleasures, or in idleness;
to fool away time; to delay unnecessarily; to tarry; to trifle. ...
/d/dally.htm - 7k

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