Bible Question: I'm looking for comments on 1 John 2:16 regarding the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life. |
Bible Answer: 1 John 2:16 NASB For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. Dear brother, try this for a simple explanation. Lust- is 1939. "epithuima" ; from 1937; desire, passionate longing, lust: (NASD) The “lust of the flesh” primarily relates to body desires (needs), and also incorporates soulish (mind, will, emotion) urges. The “lust of the eyes” primarily relates to that which you can see with your physical eyes but too, incorporates that which you see with your mind and focus upon. The “boastful pride of life” is also a lust, that of self importance,pride, ego. I understand it as the original sin, in that it is that which caused Lucifer to sin and be cast down as profane (see Is 14:12). It is interesting to look at the Genesis account of the temptation and fall of man and to see within it the same seeds: Gen. 3:6 NASB (italics mine) When the woman saw that the tree was good for food (lust of the flesh), and that it was a delight to the eyes (lust of the eyes), and that the tree was desirable to make one wise (prideful lust) , she took from its fruit and ate; and she gave also to her husband with her, and he ate. |