Sensual
King James Dictionary [1]
Sensual a. from L. sensus.
Pertaining to the senses, as distinct from the mind or soul.
Far as creation's ample range extends.
The scale of sensual, mental pow'rs ascends. Pope.
2. Consisting in sense, or depending on it as sensual appetites, hunger, lust, &c. 3. Affecting the senses, or derived from them as sensual pleasure or gratification. Hence, 4. In theology, carnal pertaining to the flesh or body, in opposition to the spirit not spiritual or holy evil. 5. Devoted to the gratification of sense given to the indulgence of the appetites sewd luxurious.
No small part of virtue consists in abstaining from that on wich sensual men place their felicity. Atterbury.
Webster's Dictionary [2]
(1): ( a.) Devoted to the pleasures of sense and appetite; luxurious; voluptuous; lewd; libidinous.
(2): ( a.) Hence, not spiritual or intellectual; carnal; fleshly; pertaining to, or consisting in, the gratification of the senses, or the indulgence of appetites; wordly.
(3): ( a.) Pertaining to, consisting in, or affecting, the sense, or bodily organs of perception; relating to, or concerning, the body, in distinction from the spirit.
(4): ( a.) Pertaining or peculiar to the philosophical doctrine of sensualism.
Morrish Bible Dictionary [3]
The word is ψυχικός, 'animal, sensuous,' in opposition to what is 'spiritual.' It is translated 'natural' in 1 Corinthians 2:14; 1 Corinthians 15:44,46 . To be sensual is to be led by the passions of man's flesh: it is placed with 'earthly' and 'devilish' in James 3:15; and is contrasted with having the Holy Spirit in Jude 19 .
Holman Bible Dictionary [4]
Isaiah 47:8 Mark 7:22 Romans 13:13 2 Corinthians 12:21LasciviousnessBiblical Teaching On Sex
Vine's Expository Dictionary of NT Words [5]
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia [6]
sen´shoo - al ( ψυχικός , psuchikós , "animal," "natural"): Biblical psychology has no English equivalent for this Greek original. Man subject to the lower appetites is σαρκικός , sarkikós , "fleshly"; in the communion of his spirit with God he is πνευμακικός , pneumatikós , "spiritual." Between the two is the ψυχή , psuchḗ , "soul," the center of his personal being. This ego or "I"in each man is bound to the spirit, the higher nature; and to the body or lower nature.
The soul ( psuchē ) as the seat of the senses, desires, affections, appetites, passions, i.e. the lower animal nature common to man with the beasts, was distinguished in the Pythagorean and Platonic philosophy from the higher rational nature ( noús , pneúma ).
The subjection of the soul to the animal nature is man's debasement, to the spirit indwelt of God is his exaltation. The English equivalent for psuchikos , "psychic" does not express this debasement. In the New Testament "sensual" indicates man's subjection to self and self-interest, whether animal or intellectual - the selfish man in whom the spirit is degraded into subordination to the debased psuchē , "soul." This debasement may be (1) intellectual , "not wisdom ... from above, but ... earthly, sensual" ( James 3:15 ); (2) carnal (and of course moral ), "sensual, having not the Spirit" ( Judges 1:19 ). It ranges all the way from sensuous self-indulgence to gross immorality. In the utter subjection of the spirit to sense it is the utter exclusion of God from the life. Hence, "the natural ( psuchikos ) man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God" ( 1 Corinthians 2:14 ). The term is equivalent to "the mind of the flesh" ( Romans 8:7 ) which "is not subject to the law of God." See Psychology .
