Brief Overview of ἀσωτία (G810: Asōtia)

1. Brief Overview:

Transliteration: Asōtia

Root Words: ἀσωτία (asōtia) comes from ἀσώτος (asōtos), meaning “dissolute” or “profligate.” The root ἀσώτος derives from α privative (without) + σῶς (safe, sound), suggesting a lack of restraint or control.

Primary Meanings:

• Dissipation: Refers to the squandering of resources, particularly wealth, in a manner that shows a lack of self-discipline.
• Profligacy: Denotes a state of reckless extravagance or wastefulness.
• Licentiousness: Indicates an absence of moral restraint, especially in regard to indulgence in sensual pleasures.

2. Detailed Description:

BDAG: BDAG defines ἀσωτία as “dissipation” or “profligacy,” describing it as a state of moral recklessness or wastefulness, particularly concerning resources or behavior.

Thayer’s: Thayer’s Greek Lexicon describes ἀσωτία as “prodigality” or “dissipation,” focusing on the excessive and wasteful expenditure of resources, often tied to moral laxity.

Vines: Vines’ Expository Dictionary highlights ἀσωτία as “profligacy” or “dissipation,” noting its use to describe behavior characterized by a lack of self-control and wastefulness.

LSJ: The LSJ Lexicon describes ἀσωτία as “dissipation” or “extravagance,” reflecting its association with wastefulness and lack of moral discipline.

Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance: Strong’s defines ἀσωτία as “dissipation,” with an emphasis on the idea of wasting resources or engaging in morally lax behavior.

Bible Verses:

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• Luke 15:13 (KJV): “And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.”
• The term is used to describe the prodigal son’s wasteful behavior.
• Ephesians 5:18 (KJV): “And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;”
• The term “excess” translates ἀσωτία, emphasizing wastefulness and moral recklessness.

3. Classic Greek Literature:

Usage in Classic Greek Literature:

• Aristotle: Aristotle addresses themes of moderation and excess in works such as Nicomachean Ethics, although ἀσωτία may not be explicitly used, the concept of moral and financial wastefulness is discussed.
• Xenophon: In works like Anabasis, the behavior of characters is sometimes evaluated in terms of their restraint or lack thereof, reflecting the implications of ἀσωτία.
• Plato: In dialogues such as Gorgias, Plato explores the consequences of moral and ethical laxity, which align with the concept of ἀσωτία.

4. Summary:

ἀσωτία (Asōtia) signifies a state of dissipation, profligacy, or moral laxity. It describes behavior marked by wastefulness, particularly in relation to resources or self-discipline. In classic Greek literature, while the term may not always appear, related concepts of moderation and excess are frequently examined. The Bible uses ἀσωτία to highlight the consequences of reckless and immoral behavior, particularly in financial and personal conduct.