Bible Dictionary
Concupiscence
Concupiscence means an inward desire or longing, especially an inordinate desire for what God forbids. In the New Testament it commonly refers to coveting or sinful lust, though desire itself is not always sinful.
Definition
Concupiscence means desire, longing, or the heart’s setting itself upon something. Its moral character depends on its source and object. In biblical usage, when the object is forbidden or understood from the context, it denotes sinful desire, lust, or coveting.
Biblical Usage
The term is used for coveting, evil desire, and the lustful passion associated with indwelling sin. It is not limited to sexual desire but includes every movement of heart and will toward what God forbids. The same root can also describe intense desire without sinful meaning.
Historical Background
The term is related to a Greek noun meaning to yearn, long, or set the heart upon something. Its moral quality is determined by the source from which the desire arises and the object toward which it is directed.
Scripture References
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Desire, Rom. 7:8 (R.V., “coveting”); Col. 3:5 (R.V., “desire”). The “lust of concupiscence” (1 Thess. 4:5; R.V., “passion of lust”) denotes evil desire, indwelling sin.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>kon-ku'-pi-sens (epithumia): Not used in the Revised Version (British and American), but in the King James Version, Ro 7:8; Col 3:5; 1Th 4:5. The Greek noun, like the verb from which it comes, meaning "to yearn," "to long," "to have the heart set upon a thing," is determined in its moral quality by the source whence it springs or the object toward which it is directed. Thus, our Lord uses it to express the intensest desire of His soul (Lu 22:15). As a rule, when the object is not expressed, it refers to longing for that which God has forbidden, namely, lust. It is not limited to sexual desire, but includes all going forth of heart and will toward what God would not have us to have or be, as its use in the Septuagint of the Ten Commandments clearly shows, for "Thou shalt not covet" (Ex 20:17).</p><p>H. E. Jacobs</p>