The Orthodox Study Bible: Not Miami Vice
The Orthodox Study Bible, New Testament and Psalms, (1993) Saint Athanasius Orthodox Academy, Thomas Nelson Publishers, Nashville, Tennessee.
Preface
Continuing with my review of this useful and informative biblical tool, within the Orthodox tradition (my tradition is Reformed, but I appreciate this academic work).
Glossary from Reverend John W. Morris, Ph.D.
Vice
Romans 13:13 King James Version (KJV)
13 Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.
King James Version (KJV)
Public Domain
Encyclopedias - International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Chambering
CHAMBERING
cham'-ber-ing:
Illicit intercourse; the rendering in English Versions of the Bible since Tyndale of koitias (literally "beds," Romans 13:13). The Greek usage is paralleled in classic authors and the Septuagint; like the English participle, it denotes repeated or habitual acts. The word is not recorded elsewhere in English literature as verb or participle in this sense; in Othello, iii, 3, a chamberer is an intriguer, male wanton, in Byron, Werner, IV, 1, 404, a gallant or carpet knight, and in Chaucer, Clerk's Tale, 766, a concubine.
Going from chamber to chamber, an interesting definition.
Pastor Courson is his commentary writes that in verse 13, the Christian is to 'clean up'. (981).
Romans 13: 13
Cited
κοίταις (Noun, Dative, Feminine, Plural)
koitais
Dative is the indirect object of a verb. Not in chambering....
Ephesians 4:17-24 King James Version (KJV)
17 This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,
18 Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: 19 Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.
20 But ye have not so learned Christ;
21 If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:
22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;
23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;
24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
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Practical Theology
Many in western society, that are social leaders, reject abstinence as too simplistic a response to vices. Abstinence is likely often too simplistic of an approach for those already committing habitual vices.
For those in the Church committing habitual vices (or dabbling with sin that could become habitual); Courson's take on Romans 13: 13 with the call to 'clean up' is good biblical theology.
Abstinence from immoral activity is the preferred, documented, New Testament model, but in grace through faith in God.
COURSON, JON (2005) Application Commentary, Thomas Nelson, Nashville.
King James Version (KJV)
Public Domain.
ORR, JAMES, M.A., D.D. General Editor, Chambeirng', International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, 1915.
The Orthodox Study Bible, New Testament and Psalms, (1993) Saint Athanasius Orthodox Academy, Thomas Nelson Publishers, Nashville, Tennessee.
