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Selected Verse: Ephesians 4:19 - Strong Concordance

Verse	Translation	Text
Eph 4:19	Strong Concordance	Who [3748] being past feeling [524] have given [3860] themselves [1438] over [3860] unto lasciviousness [766], to [1519] work [2039] all [3956] uncleanness [167] with [1722] greediness [4124].
	King James	Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.

Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse

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A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]
past feeling--senseless, shameless, hopeless; the ultimate result of a long process of "hardening," or habit of sin (Eph 4:18). "Being past hope," or despairing, is the reading of the Vulgate; though not so well supported as English Version reading, "past feeling," which includes the absence of hope (Jer 2:25; Jer 18:12). given themselves over--In Rom 1:24 it is, "God gave them up to uncleanness." Their giving themselves to it was punished in kind, God giving them up to it by withdrawing His preventing grace; their sin thus was made their punishment. They gave themselves up of their own accord to the slavery of their lust, to do all its pleasure, as captives who have ceased to strive with the foe. God gave them up to it, but not against their will; for they give themselves up to it [ZANCHIUS]. lasciviousness--"wantonness" [ALFORD]. So it is translated in Rom 13:13; Pe2 2:18. It does not necessarily include lasciviousness; but it means intemperate, reckless readiness for it, and for every self-indulgence. "The first beginnings of unchastity" [GROTIUS]. "Lawless insolence, and wanton caprice" [TRENCH]. to work all uncleanness--The Greek implies, "with a deliberate view to the working (as if it were their work or business, not a mere accidental fall into sin) of uncleanness of every kind." with greediness--Greek, "in greediness." Uncleanness and greediness of gain often go hand in hand (Eph 5:3, Eph 5:5; Col 3:5); though "greediness" here includes all kinds of self-seeking.

A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]

past feeling--senseless, shameless, hopeless; the ultimate result of a long process of "hardening," or habit of sin (Eph 4:18). "Being past hope," or despairing, is the reading of the Vulgate; though not so well supported as English Version reading, "past feeling," which includes the absence of hope (Jer 2:25; Jer 18:12).

given themselves over--In Rom 1:24 it is, "God gave them up to uncleanness." Their giving themselves to it was punished in kind, God giving them up to it by withdrawing His preventing grace; their sin thus was made their punishment. They gave themselves up of their own accord to the slavery of their lust, to do all its pleasure, as captives who have ceased to strive with the foe. God gave them up to it, but not against their will; for they give themselves up to it [ZANCHIUS].

lasciviousness--"wantonness" [ALFORD]. So it is translated in Rom 13:13; Pe2 2:18. It does not necessarily include lasciviousness; but it means intemperate, reckless readiness for it, and for every self-indulgence. "The first beginnings of unchastity" [GROTIUS]. "Lawless insolence, and wanton caprice" [TRENCH].

to work all uncleanness--The Greek implies, "with a deliberate view to the working (as if it were their work or business, not a mere accidental fall into sin) of uncleanness of every kind."

with greediness--Greek, "in greediness." Uncleanness and greediness of gain often go hand in hand (Eph 5:3, Eph 5:5; Col 3:5); though "greediness" here includes all kinds of self-seeking.

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]
Who being past feeling - Wholly hardened in sin. There is a total want of all emotion on moral subjects. This is an accurate description of the state of a sinner. He has no "feeling," no emotion. He often gives an intellectual assent to the truth, But it is without emotion of any kind. The heart is insensible as the hard rock. Have given themselves over - They have done it voluntarily. In Rom 1:24, it is said that "God gave them up." There is no inconsistency. Whatever was the agency of God in it, they preferred it; compare notes on Rom 1:21. Unto lasciviousness - see the notes on Rom 1:24-26.

Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886]
Who (οἵτινες) Explanatory and classifying: men of the class which. Being past feeling (ἀπηλγηκοτες) Only here in the New Testament. Lit, the verb means to cease from feeling pain. Hence to be apathetic. Have given themselves over (παρέδωκαν) See on Mat 4:12; see on Mat 11:27; see on Mat 26:2; see on Mar 4:29; see on Luk 1:2; see on Pe1 2:23. The verb is frequently used of Christ giving Himself for the world. Rom 4:25; Gal 2:20; Eph 5:5, Eph 5:25. It indicates a complete surrender. Meyer says, "with frightful emphasis." Where men persistently give themselves up to evil, God gives them up to its power. See Rom 1:24. Lasciviousness (ἀσελγείᾷ) See on Mar 7:22. To work (εἰς ἐργασίαν) Lit., to a working. In Act 19:25, used of a trade. Not precisely in this sense here, yet with a shade of it. They gave themselves up as to the prosecution of a business. The εἰς unto is very forcible. With greediness (ἐν πλεονεξίᾳ) The noun commonly rendered covetousness: in an eager grasping after more and more uncleanness. Not with, but in, as the state of mind in which they wrought evil.

Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65]
Who being past feeling - The original word is peculiarly significant. It properly means, past feeling pain. Pain urges the sick to seek a remedy, which, where there is no pain, is little thought of. Have given themselves up - Freely, of their own accord. Lasciviousness is but one branch of uncleanness, which implies impurity of every kind.

Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826
5. Who being past feeling - Οιτινες απηλγηκοτες. The verb απαλγειν signifies, 1. To throw off all sense of shame, and to be utterly devoid of pain, for committing unrighteous acts. 2. To be desperate, having neither hope nor desire of reformation; in a word, to be without remorse, and to be utterly regardless of conduct, character, or final blessedness. Instead of απηλγηκοτες, several excellent MSS. and versions have απηλπικοτες, being without hope; that is, persons who, from their manner of life in this world, could not possibly hope for blessedness in the world to come, and who might feel it their interest to deny the resurrection of the body, and even the immortality of the soul. 6. Have given themselves over unto lasciviousness - Lasciviousness, ασελγεια, is here personified; and the Gentiles in question are represented as having delivered themselves over to her jurisdiction. This is a trite picture of the Gentile world: uncleanness, lechery, and debauchery of every kind, flourished among them without limit or restraint. Almost all their gods and goddesses were of this character. 7. To work all uncleanness with greediness - This is a complete finish of the most abandoned character; to do an unclean act is bad, to labor in it is worse, to labor in all uncleanness is worse still; but to do all this in every case to the utmost extent, εν πλεονεξια, with a desire exceeding time, place, opportunity, and strength, is worst of all, and leaves nothing more profligate or more abandoned to be described or imagined; just as Ovid paints the drunken Silenus, whose wantonness survives his strength and keeps alive his desires, though old age has destroyed the power of gratification: - Te quoque, inextinctae Silene libidinis, urunt: Nequitia est, quae te non sinit esse senem. Fast., lib. i. v. 413. Thee also, O Silenus, of inextinguishable lust, they inflame; Thou art old in every thing except in lust. Such was the state of the Gentiles before they were blessed with the light of the Gospel; and such is the state of those nations who have not yet received the Gospel; and such is the state of multitudes of those in Christian countries who refuse to receive the Gospel, endeavor to decry it, and to take refuge in the falsities of infidelity against the testimony of eternal truth.

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⁵ Mortify [3499] therefore [3767] your [5216] members [3196] which [3588] are upon [1909] the earth [1093]; fornication [4202], uncleanness [167], inordinate affection [3806], evil [2556] concupiscence [1939], and [2532] covetousness [4124], which [3748] is [2076] idolatry [1495]:

⁵ For [1063] this [5124] ye know [2075] [1097], that [3754] no [3756] [3956] whoremonger [4205], nor [2228] unclean person [169], nor [2228] covetous man [4123], who [3739] is [2076] an idolater [1496], hath [2192] any inheritance [2817] in [1722] the kingdom [932] of Christ [5547] and [2532] of God [2316].

³ But [2532] fornication [4202], and [1161] all [3956] uncleanness [167], or [2228] covetousness [4124], let it [3687] not be once [3366] named [3687] among [1722] you [5213], as [2531] becometh [4241] saints [40];

¹⁸ For [1063] when they speak [5350] great swelling [5246] words of vanity [3153], they allure [1185] through [1722] the lusts [1939] of the flesh [4561], through much wantonness [766], those that were clean [3689] escaped [668] from them who live [390] in [1722] error [4106].

¹³ Let us walk [4043] honestly [2156], as [5613] in [1722] the day [2250]; not [3361] in rioting [2970] and [2532] drunkenness [3178], not [3361] in chambering [2845] and [2532] wantonness [766], not [3361] in strife [2054] and [2532] envying [2205].

¹² And they said [0559], There is no hope [02976]: but we will walk [03212] after [0310] our own devices [04284], and we will every one [0376] do [06213] the imagination [08307] of his evil [07451] heart [03820].

²⁵ Withhold [04513] thy foot [07272] from being unshod [03182], and thy throat [01627] from thirst [06773]: but thou saidst [0559], There is no hope [02976]: no; for I have loved [0157] strangers [02114], and after [0310] them will I go [03212].

¹⁸ Having the understanding [1271] darkened [4654], being [5607] alienated [526] from the life [2222] of God [2316] through [1223] the ignorance [52] that is [5607] in [1722] them [846], because [1223] of the blindness [4457] of their [846] heart [2588]:

²⁴ Wherefore [1352] God [2316] also [2532] gave [3860] them [846] up [3860] to [1519] uncleanness [167] through [1722] the lusts [1939] of their own [846] hearts [2588], to dishonour [818] their own [846] bodies [4983] between [1722] themselves [1438]:
²⁵ Who [3748] changed [3337] the truth [225] of God [2316] into [1722] a lie [5579], and [2532] worshipped [4573] and [2532] served [3000] the creature [2937] more than [3844] the Creator [2936], who [3739] is [2076] blessed [2128] for [1519] ever [165]. Amen [281].
²⁶ For [1223] this [5124] cause God [2316] gave [3860] them [846] up [3860] unto [1519] vile [819] affections [3806]: for [1063] even [5037] their [846] women [2338] did change [3337] the natural [5446] use [5540] into [1519] that which is against [3844] nature [5449]:

²¹ Because [1360] that, when they knew [1097] God [2316], they glorified [1392] him not [3756] as [5613] God [2316], neither [2228] were thankful [2168]; but [235] became vain [3154] in [1722] their [846] imaginations [1261], and [2532] their [846] foolish [801] heart [2588] was darkened [4654].

²⁵ Whom [3739] he called together [4867] with the workmen [2040] of [4012] like occupation [5108], and [2532] said [2036], Sirs [435], ye know [1987] that [3754] by [1537] this [5026] craft [2039] we have [2076] our [2257] wealth [2142].

²² Thefts [2829], covetousness [4124], wickedness [4189], deceit [1388], lasciviousness [766], an evil [4190] eye [3788], blasphemy [988], pride [5243], foolishness [877]:

²⁵ Husbands [435], love [25] your [1438] wives [1135], even as [2531] Christ [5547] also [2532] loved [25] the church [1577], and [2532] gave [3860] himself [1438] for [5228] it [846];

²⁰ I am crucified [4957] with Christ [5547]: nevertheless [1161] I live [2198]; yet not [3765] I [1473], but [1161] Christ [5547] liveth [2198] in [1722] me [1698]: and [1161] the life which [3739] I [2198] now [3568] live [2198] in [1722] the flesh [4561] I live [2198] by [1722] the faith [4102] of the Son [5207] of God [2316], who [3588] loved [25] me [3165], and [2532] gave [3860] himself [1438] for [5228] me [1700].

²⁵ Who [3739] was delivered [3860] for [1223] our [2257] offences [3900], and [2532] was raised again [1453] for [1223] our [2257] justification [1347].

²³ Who [3739], when he was reviled [3058], reviled [486] not [3756] again [486]; when he suffered [3958], he threatened [546] not [3756]; but [1161] committed [3860] himself to him that judgeth [2919] righteously [1346]:

² Even [2531] as they delivered [3860] them unto us [2254], which [3588] from [575] the beginning [746] were [1096] eyewitnesses [845], and [2532] ministers [5257] of the word [3056];

²⁹ But [1161] when [3752] the fruit [2590] is brought forth [3860], immediately [2112] he putteth in [649] the sickle [1407], because [3754] the harvest [2326] is come [3936].

² Ye know [1492] that [3754] after [3326] two [1417] days [2250] is [1096] the feast of the passover [3957], and [2532] the Son [5207] of man [444] is betrayed [3860] to [1519] be crucified [4717].

²⁷ All things [3956] are delivered [3860] unto me [3427] of [5259] my [3450] Father [3962]: and [2532] no man [3762] knoweth [1921] the Son [5207], but [1508] the Father [3962]; neither [3761] knoweth [1921] any man [5100] the Father [3962], save [1508] the Son [5207], and he [2532] to [3739] whomsoever [1437] the Son [5207] will [1014] reveal [601] him.

¹² Now [1161] when Jesus [2424] had heard [191] that [3754] John [2491] was cast into prison [3860], he departed [402] into [1519] Galilee [1056];