ὄρεξις (orexis)
orexis
lust
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun orexis refers to a strong desire or craving, serving as the general term for longing in both positive and negative contexts. Derived from the verb for "to yearn," it describes the intense pull of appetite, whether for food or for something else entirely. In the New Testament, this word appears only once, marking a significant moment in Paul’s argument about human nature.
In Romans 1:27, Paul uses orexis to describe the unnatural desires that result from turning away from God. Here, it carries a negative weight, aligning closely with what is often called lust or corrupt appetite. While the word can simply mean a healthy hunger in other settings, this specific usage highlights how deep-seated cravings can become disordered when detached from their proper foundation.
Translators typically render this term as "lust" in this verse to capture its forceful and potentially destructive nature. The choice reflects the context of idolatry, where natural desires are twisted into something harmful. This single occurrence reminds readers that desire itself is not evil, but its direction matters greatly.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word orexis describes a powerful craving or intense longing. While desire itself is not inherently wrong, this term highlights how deep-seated appetites can become disordered when they detach from their proper foundation. In Romans 1:27, Paul uses it to illustrate how natural desires can be twisted into harmful patterns when people turn away from God.
This insight offers comfort by showing that our struggles with intense cravings are part of the human condition, not a unique failure. It invites us to examine where our deepest hungers lead us. When we align our desires with God’s design, even strong passions can find their rightful place, bringing peace rather than chaos.
Reflecting on orexis helps us recognize the importance of direction in our lives. It reminds us that what we long for shapes who we become. By seeking God first, we allow Him to guide our deepest desires toward good and lasting fulfillment.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- desire1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ὀρέξει1×
Key Verses
-
Romans 1:27
Likewise also the men, leaving the natural function of the woman, burned in their lust toward one another, men doing what is inappropriate with men, and receiving in themselves the due penalty of their error.
Paul uses this term to describe unnatural desires that result from idolatry, showing how turning away from God twists natural appetites into harmful patterns.