Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.

EPHESIANS 4:19KJV
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Ephesians 4:19 (KJV)

What does Ephesians 4:19 mean?

Ephesians 4:19 describes people who have become insensitive to moral feeling and have chosen to give themselves over to unrestrained, immoral behavior, pursuing every kind of impurity with a greedy desire for more. The verse highlights a state where people no longer feel shame or restraint, and instead, actively seek out and indulge in wrongdoing.

Paul is writing this letter to the Christians in Ephesus, warning them not to live like those who ignore God’s ways. He is describing a progression: first, people lose their sense of right and wrong, then they willingly hand themselves over to actions and desires that are considered impure and excessive. This verse is part of a larger section where Paul urges believers to live differently from the surrounding culture.

The Greek behind Ephesians 4:19

  • "feeling" (ἀπαλγέω, apalgeō): This word means to lose the ability to feel pain or shame, suggesting a numbness or deadening of conscience. Paul uses it to show how these people have become insensitive to moral conviction.
  • "given...over" (παραδίδωμι, paradidōmi): This verb means to hand over or surrender oneself. Here, it emphasizes that the people are not just drifting into sin, but actively choosing to abandon themselves to it.
  • "lasciviousness" (ἀσέλγεια, aselgeia): This Greek word refers to shameless, reckless living, especially in a sexual or moral sense. It points to behavior that ignores boundaries and decency.
  • "greediness" (πλεονεξία, pleonexia): This word means an insatiable desire for more, not just in material things but in indulging any craving. It highlights that their pursuit of impurity is driven by a never-satisfied appetite.

Why Ephesians 4:19 matters

  • Ephesians 4:19 clarifies that the problem is not just outward actions, but a deep inward loss of sensitivity to what is right, which leads to deliberate choices.
  • Paul’s description warns that unchecked moral numbness can lead to a cycle of ever-increasing wrongdoing, driven by a craving that is never satisfied.
  • This verse connects to Paul’s larger call for Christians to live distinctly, showing that the Christian life is meant to be marked by a different attitude and behavior than the surrounding culture.

Where else these words appear

“work” Greek G2039 · used in 6 verses

  • Luke 12:58 When thou goest with thine adversary to the magistrate, as thou art in the way, give diligence that thou mayest be delivered from him; lest he hale thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and the officer cast thee into prison.
  • Acts 16:16 And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying:
  • Acts 19:24 For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, which made silver shrines for Diana, brought no small gain unto the craftsmen;

“lasciviousness” Greek G766 · used in 9 verses

  • Mark 7:22 Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness:
  • 2 Corinthians 12:21 And lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and that I shall bewail many which have sinned already, and have not repented of the uncleanness and fornication and lasciviousness which they have committed.
  • 2 Peter 2:7 And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked:

“uncleanness” Greek G167 · used in 10 verses

  • Matthew 23:27 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness.
  • 2 Corinthians 12:21 And lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and that I shall bewail many which have sinned already, and have not repented of the uncleanness and fornication and lasciviousness which they have committed.
  • Colossians 3:5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:

“greediness” Greek G4124 · used in 10 verses

  • Mark 7:22 Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness:
  • 2 Corinthians 9:5 Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren, that they would go before unto you, and make up beforehand your bounty, whereof ye had notice before, that the same might be ready, as a matter of bounty, and not as of covetousness.
  • 1 Thessalonians 2:5 For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness: