σπαταλάω (spatalaō)
spatalaō
to indulge
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb spatalaō describes a life marked by excessive indulgence and luxurious self-indulgence. It goes beyond simple enjoyment to suggest a reckless pursuit of pleasure that consumes one’s resources and attention. The word carries a strong negative tone, depicting a state of moral laxity where comfort becomes an idol.
This term appears in only two New Testament verses, both within pastoral letters warning against spiritual decay. In 1 Timothy 5:6, Paul describes a widow who lives in spatalaō as being spiritually dead even while she appears alive, highlighting how such indulgence erodes faith. Similarly, James 5:5 condemns those who have spent their wealth on lavish living, linking this behavior to impending judgment.
The root of the word relates to wantonness or luxury, emphasizing a lifestyle that prioritizes personal gratification over duty and devotion. Translators often render it as "live in pleasure" or "indulge," capturing the idea of a life consumed by sensory delights at the expense of spiritual health.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word spatalaō paints a picture of a life consumed by luxury and self-indulgence. It is not merely about enjoying good things, but allowing those pleasures to become an idol that replaces God. When comfort becomes our primary focus, our spiritual sensitivity dulls until we are spiritually dead while still breathing.
Paul warns in 1 Timothy 5:6 that a life dedicated to pleasure leaves us empty and disconnected from true life. James echoes this in 5:5, showing how lavish living can harden the heart against God’s judgment. This word reminds us to examine what we are feeding our souls.
True vitality comes not from accumulating comforts, but from devotion to Christ. Let this truth encourage you to find your satisfaction in Him alone, rather than in the fleeting pleasures of this world.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- living in self-indulgence1×
- lived in self-indulgence,1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἐσπαταλήσατε,1×
- σπαταλῶσα1×
Key Verses
-
I Timothy 5:6
But she who gives herself to pleasure is dead while she lives.
Paul uses this word to describe a widow whose pursuit of pleasure has resulted in spiritual death despite her physical life.
-
James 5:5
You have lived in luxury on the earth, and taken your pleasure. You have nourished your hearts as in a day of slaughter.
James condemns the wealthy for living in luxury and nourishing their hearts like cattle for slaughter, linking indulgence to impending judgment.