noun · feminine

epithumias

Greekἐπιθυμία (epithumia)

Strong’sG1939

desire, eagerness for, inordinate desire, lust

stem epithumi-38 times in the New Testamentin 18 of 27 books8 of 10 forms occur

Translated as

desires18×desire5×lust4×lusts3×passions3×covet1×covetousness1×earnestly1×longed1×lustful1×

What it means

ἐπιθυμία, -ας, ἡ

(< έπιθυμέω), [in LXX chiefly for תַּאֲוָה, אָוָה; also for חָמוּד, etc.;]

desire, longing: Lk 22:15 (v.s. ἐπιθυμέω), Phl 1:23, I Th 2:17, Re 18:14; p1., Mk 4:19; esp. with ref. to forbidden things, desire, lust (Vg., concupiscentia): Ro 7:7, 8, Ja 1:14, 15, II Pe 1:4; pl., Ga 5:24, I Ti 6:9, II Ti 2:22 4:3, I Pe 1:14 4:2; πάθος ἐπιθυμίας, I Th 4:5; ἐ. κακή, Col 3:5; c. gen., μιασμοῦ, II Pe 2:10 (v. Mayor, in l.); τ. καρδιῶν, Ro 1:24; τ. κόσμου (aroused by the world), I Jo 2:17; τ. σώματος, Ro 6:12; τ. ἀπάτης, Eph 4:22 (v. ICC, in l.); τ. σαρκός, I Jo 2:16, II Pe 2:18 (without art.), Ga 5:16; τ. ὀφθαλμῶν, I Jo 2:16; σαρκικαὶ ἐ., I Pe 2:11 (cf. IV Mac 1:32); κοσμικαί, Tit 2:12; εἰς ἐπιθυμίας, Ro 13:14; ποιεῖν τὰς ἐ., Jo 8:44; ὑπακούειν ταῖς ἐ., Ro 6:12; δουλεύειν, ἄγεσθαι, ἐπιθυμίαις, Tit 3:3, II Ti 3:6; πορεύειθαι ἐν ἐ., I Pe 4:3; κατά, Ju 16, 18, II Pe 3:3; ἀναστρέφεσθαι ἐν ταῖς ἐ., Eph 2:3.†

SYN.: πάθος (q.v.), ὄρεξις

G. Abbott-Smith, A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament, 1922 — public domain. References open in the reader.

Strong’s G1939 — the 1890 definition, and where the word comes from

Saidep-ee-thoo-mee'-ah

a longing (especially for what is forbidden)

Fromfrom G1937;

King Jamesconcupiscence, desire, lust (after).

James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, 1890 — public domain. The numbers in it link to the entries here.

Every form

Job in the sentence case	one singular	more than one plural
subject nominative	epithumias4×ἐπιθυμία	epithumiais1×ἐπιθυμίαι
object accusative	epithumian5×ἐπιθυμίαν	epithumiain10×ἐπιθυμίας
direct address vocative	epithumiar	epithumiair
of, belonging to genitive	epithumiau3×ἐπιθυμίας	epithumiaiu1×ἐπιθυμιῶν
to, for dative	epithumia4×ἐπιθυμίᾳ	epithumiai10×ἐπιθυμίαις

Tinted cells are forms the New Testament never uses, so there is no Greek to show against them — but they are still correct Biblang, built from the slots below like any other.

Why these forms, and no others — the slots that make them

epithumistem+agender+snru—its job in the sentence case+—ione · more than one number

epithumia is this word in every one of its forms. The slots after it make all the rest.

same in every form varies — every value shown

Where it appears

38 occurrences, every one of them listed

epithumias“lust”subjectnominative singular4×

James 1:15“desire”eita tas epithumias sullambaratas tiktatō hamartan, tas de hamartas apoteliratas apokuatō thanaton.Then after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

1 John 2:16“lust”hoti pantem tem en to kosmo, tas epithumias tau sarxau kai tas epithumias toiu ofthalmoiu kai tas alazoneias tou biou, ouk atō ek tou patērou, alla ek tou kosmou atō;For all that is in the world — the desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes, and the pride of life — is not from the Father but from the world.

1 John 2:16“lust”hoti pantem tem en to kosmo, tas epithumias tau sarxau kai tas epithumias toiu ofthalmoiu kai tas alazoneias tou biou, ouk atō ek tou patērou, alla ek tou kosmou atō;For all that is in the world — the desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes, and the pride of life — is not from the Father but from the world.

1 John 2:17“desire”kai tos kosmos paragitō kai tas epithumias autou, tos de poiarōtos tem thelēmem tou theou menatō eis ton aiōnon.The world is passing away, along with its desires; but whoever does the will of God remains forever.

epithumian“desire”objectaccusative singular5×

Romans 7:7“covet”Tinem oun legani? tos nomos hamartas? mē ginetoia; alla tan hamartan ouk gnōskama ei mē dia nomou, tan tē gar epithumian ouk oidamelē ei mē tos nomos legate; Ouk epithumasi;What then shall we say? Is the law sin? Certainly not! Indeed, I would not have been mindful of sin if not for the law. For I would not have been aware of coveting if the law had not said, “Do not covet.”

Romans 7:8“covetousness”aforman de lambaratas tas hamartas dia tau entolau katergazeta en mi pantan epithumian, chōris gar nomou hamartas nekras.But sin, seizing its opportunity through the commandment, produced in me every kind of covetous desire. For apart from the law, sin is dead.

Galatians 5:16“desires”Legamō de, pneume peripatavōr kai epithumian sarxau ouk mē telaveia.So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.

Philippians 1:23“desire”sunechimō de ek teiu duo, tan epithumian echarōtos eis tem analuara kai sun Christo arō, polle gar mallon kreittōnem,I am torn between the two. I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better indeed.

Colossians 3:5“desire”Nekravar oun teim meleim teim epi tau gēau, porneian, akatharsian, pathem, epithumian kakan, kai tan pleonexian hotinas atō eidōlolatrias,Put to death, therefore, the components of your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed, which is idolatry.

epithumiau“longed”of, belonging togenitive singular3×

1 Thessalonians 4:5“lustful”mē en pathe epithumiau kathaper kai teim ethneim teim mē oidarēteim ton theon,not in lustful passion like the Gentiles who do not know God;

James 1:14“desires”hekastos de peirazitō hupo tau idiau epithumiau exelkirōtos kai deleazirōtos;But each one is tempted when by his own evil desires he is lured away and enticed.

Revelation 18:14“longed”kai tas opōras su tau epithumiau tau psuchau aperchata apo su, kai panteim teim lipareim kai teim lampreim apollueta apo su, kai ouketi ouk mē auteim heuriskali.And they will say: “The fruit of your soul’s desire has departed from you; all your luxury and splendor have vanished, never to be seen again.”

epithumia“lust”to, fordative singular4×

Luke 22:15“earnestly”kai legata pros autoin; Epithumia epithumama houtem tem pascha esthiara meta vu pro teu min paschara;And He said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before My suffering.

1 Thessalonians 2:17“desire”Nis de, adelfoir, aporfaniziratois apo vu pros kairon hōrau, prosōpe ouk kardia, perissoterōs spoudazana tem prosōpem vu horara en polla epithumia.Brothers, although we were torn away from you for a short time (in person, not in heart), our desire to see you face to face was even more intense.

2 Peter 1:4“lust”dia heiu teim timieim kai megotateim ni epangelmeim dōretē, hina dia houteiu gineveia theiau koinōnois fusiau, apofeugaratois tau en to kosmo en epithumia fthorau.Through these He has given us His precious and magnificent promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, now that you have escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

2 Peter 2:10“lust”malista de toin opisō sarxau en epithumia miasmou poreuerōtoin kai kuriotau katafronarōtoin. Tolmētois, authadois, doxain ouk tremalō, blasfēmarōtois,Such punishment is specially reserved for those who indulge the corrupt desires of the flesh and despise authority. Bold and self-willed, they are unafraid to slander glorious beings.

epithumiais“desires”subjectnominative plural1×

Mark 4:19“desires”kai tais merimnais tou aiōnou kai tas apatas tou ploutou kai tais peri teim loipeim epithumiais eisporeuerōtais sumpnigalō ton logon, kai akarpos ginetō.but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth, and the desire for other things come in and choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.

epithumiain“desires”objectaccusative plural10×

John 8:44“desires”vis ek tou patērou tou diabolou avō kai tain epithumiain tou patērou vu thelavō poiarō. ekeinos anthrōpoktonos ate apo archau, kai en ta alētheia ouk histanate, hoti ouk atō alētheias en auto. hotan lalateiō tem pseusem, ek teiu idieiu lalatō, hoti pseustos atō kai tos patēros auteu.You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out his desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, refusing to uphold the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, because he is a liar and the father of lies.

Romans 13:14“desires”alla enduevar ton kurion Iēsun Christon, kai tau sarxau pronoian mē poievōr eis epithumiain.Instead, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the desires of the flesh.

Ephesians 4:22“desires”apotithera vin kata tan proteran anastrofan ton palaion anthrōpon ton ftheirirōton kata tain epithumiain tau apatau,to put off your former way of life, your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires;

1 Timothy 6:9“desires”tois de boulerōtois ploutarō empiptalō eis peirasmon kai pagian kai epithumiain pollain anoētain kai blaberain, hotinais buthizalō toin anthrōpoin eis olethron kai apōleian;Those who want to be rich, however, fall into temptation and become ensnared by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction.

2 Timothy 2:22“passions”tain de neōterikain epithumiain feugasōr, diōkasōr de dikaiosunan, pistian, agapan, eirēnan meta toiu epikalerōtoiu ton kurion ek katharau kardiau.Flee from youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, together with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

2 Timothy 4:3“desires”eti gar kairos hote tau hugiainarōtau didaskaliau ouk anecheli, alla kata tain idiain epithumiain heautoi episōreuali didaskaloin knēthirōtois tan akoan,For the time will come when men will not tolerate sound doctrine, but with itching ears they will gather around themselves teachers to suit their own desires.

Titus 2:12“passions”paideuarōtas nin, hina arneratois tan asebeian kai tain kosmikain epithumiain sōfronōs kai dikaiōs kai eusebōs zōaneia en to nun aiōno,It instructs us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live sensible, upright, and godly lives in the present age,

2 Peter 3:3“lusts”houtem prōtem gnōskarōtois hoti ercheli epi eschataiu taiu hēmeraiu en empaigmona empaiktois kata tain idiain epithumiain autoiu poreuerōtoisMost importantly, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires.

Jude 1:16“desires”houtois alō gongustois, mempsimoirois, kata tain epithumiain autoiu poreuerōtois, kai tem stomem autoiu lalatō huperonkeim, thaumazarōtois prosōpeim ōfeleiau charin.These men are discontented grumblers, following after their own lusts; their mouths spew arrogance; they flatter others for their own advantage.

Jude 1:18“desires”hoti legale vi; Epi eschatou chronou eli empaiktois kata tain heautoiu epithumiain poreuerōtois taiu asebeiaiu.when they said to you, “In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow after their own ungodly desires.”

epithumiaiu“desires”of, belonging togenitive plural1×

1 Peter 2:11“desires”Agapētoir, parakalamō hōs paroikoin kai parepidēmoin apecherō taiu sarkikaiu epithumiaiu, hotinais strateuelō kata tau psuchau;Beloved, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from the desires of the flesh, which war against your soul.

epithumiai“desires”to, fordative plural10×

Romans 1:24“lusts”Dio paradōata autoin tos theos en tai epithumiai taiu kardiaiu autoiu eis akatharsian teu atimazerō teim sōmeim autoiu en autoi,Therefore God gave them over in the desires of their hearts to impurity for the dishonoring of their bodies with one another.

Romans 6:12“desires”Mē oun basilatōr tas hamartas en te thnēte vu sōme eis tem hupakouarō tai epithumiai auteu,Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its desires.

Galatians 5:24“desires”tois de tou Christou tan sarxan staurala sun tei pathēmei kai tai epithumiai.Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

Ephesians 2:3“desires”en hoi kai nis pantois anastrefina pote en tai epithumiai tau sarxau nu, poiarōtois teim thelēmeim tau sarxau kai taiu dianoiaiu, kai ene tekneim fusia orgau hōs kai tois loipois;All of us also lived among them at one time, fulfilling the cravings of our flesh and indulging its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature children of wrath.

2 Timothy 3:6“desires”ek houtoiu gar alō tois endunarōtois eis tain oikiain kai aichmalōtizarōtois gunaikarieim sōreuirēteim hamartai, agirōteim epithumiai poikilai,They are the kind who worm their way into households and captivate vulnerable women who are weighed down with sins and led astray by various passions,

Titus 3:3“passions”ane gar pote kai nis anoētois, apeithois, planirōtois, douleuarōtois epithumiai kai hēdonai poikilai, en kakia kai fthono diagarōtois, stugētois, misarōtois allēloin.For at one time we too were foolish, disobedient, misled, and enslaved to all sorts of desires and pleasures — living in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another.

1 Peter 1:14“desires”hōs tekneim hupakoau, mē suschēmatizerōtois tai proterem en ta agnoia vu epithumiai,As obedient children, do not conform to the passions of your former ignorance.

1 Peter 4:2“desires”eis tem mēketi anthrōpoiu epithumiai alla thelēme theou ton epiloipon en sarxa biara chronon.Consequently, he does not live out his remaining time on earth for human passions, but for the will of God.

1 Peter 4:3“lusts”arketos gar tos parercharētos chronos tem boulēmem teiu ethneiu katergazerē, poreuerētoin en aselgeiai, epithumiai, oinoflugiai, kōmoi, potoi, kai athemitai eidōlolatriai.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.

2 Peter 2:18“desires”huperonkeim gar mataiotau fthengerōtois deleazalō en epithumiai sarxau aselgeiai toin oligōs apofeugarōtoin toin en plana anastrefirōtoin,With lofty but empty words, they appeal to the sensual passions of the flesh and entice those who are just escaping from others who live in error.