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Berean Study Bible James 1:
ἐπιθυμία (epithymia)
Strong's 1939: Desire, eagerness for, inordinate desire, lust. From epithumeo; a longing.
Matthew 5:
ἐπιθυμῆσαι (epithymēsai)
Strong's 1937: To long for, covet, lust after, set the heart upon. From epi and thumos; to set the heart upon, i.e. Long for.
These are two different but related Greek words. Looking at something is okay but looking at something to lust after or covet it is not okay. The Pharisees focused on external behaviors but Jesus shifted the focus inwardly to the heart. Your conscience will tell you whether you have sinned or not.
Lust is not just sexual. Acts 20:
The meanings of G1939-desire and G1937-lust overlap. If you desire a woman so much as to lust after to possess her, then it is a sin.
desire15 Then after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.
ἐπιθυμία (epithymia)
Strong's 1939: Desire, eagerness for, inordinate desire, lust. From epithumeo; a longing.
Matthew 5:
lust after28 But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman to lust after her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
ἐπιθυμῆσαι (epithymēsai)
Strong's 1937: To long for, covet, lust after, set the heart upon. From epi and thumos; to set the heart upon, i.e. Long for.
These are two different but related Greek words. Looking at something is okay but looking at something to lust after or covet it is not okay. The Pharisees focused on external behaviors but Jesus shifted the focus inwardly to the heart. Your conscience will tell you whether you have sinned or not.
Lust is not just sexual. Acts 20:
The same Greek word G1937 can mean "covet' or "earnestly desire". ESV Luke 22:1533 I have not coveted [G1937] anyone’s silver or gold or clothing.
And he said to them, “I have earnestly desired [G1937] to eat this Passover with you before I suffer.
The meanings of G1939-desire and G1937-lust overlap. If you desire a woman so much as to lust after to possess her, then it is a sin.
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