G2237 ἡδονή (hēdonḗ)

Pleasures (2237) (hedone from hedos = delight, enjoyment > hedomai = have sensual pleasure) describes the state or condition of experiencing pleasure for any reason and thus speaks of gratification and enjoyment. Hedone is the root of our English hedonism, which is the doctrine that pleasure or happiness is the sole or chief good in life, and is manifest as an insatiable pursuit of self-satisfaction that so characterizes our modern society. Hedone is used 5 times in the NT - Lk. 8:14; Titus 3:3; James. 4:1, 3; 2Pet 2:13). There are two uses in the Septuagint - Num. 11:8; Prov. 17:1 Ancient hedonism expressed itself in two ways: the cruder form was that proposed by Aristippus and the early Cyrenaics, who believed that pleasure was achieved by the complete gratification of all one’s sensual desires. In contrast, Epicurus' school, though accepting the primacy of pleasure, tended to equate it with the absence of pain and taught that it could best be attained through the rational control of one’s desires. In either case it was focused on self. In the NT hedone is used only in a bad sense, referring to indulgence and lack of control of natural appetites (sensual) pleasure. James asks "What is the source of quarrels and conflicts among you? Is not the source your pleasures that wage war in your members?" (Js 4:1) He goes on to explain "You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures." (Js 4:3) Jesus describing nominal, non-saving belief teaches that hedone can contribute to a fruitless life -- "the seed which fell among the thorns, these are the ones who have heard, and as they go on their way they are choked (throttled so as to suffocate) with worries and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to maturity." (Lk 8:14) Peter uses hedone to describe false teachers as those who "count it a pleasure to revel in the daytime. They are stains and blemishes, reveling in their deceptions.... (see note 2 Peter 2:13) Mark it well that if we give ourselves up to the endeavor to satisfy ourselves merely by natural gratification, we are sure to meet with disappointment and disaster. And this applies to all men, sinners and saints. Regarding pleasures Hiebert quotes Brown who writes With a sort of grim humor St Paul here flashes a sudden light on what is called a 'life of pleasure,' and shows what a slavery it really is. Clarke remarks that in regard to sensual pleasures the unsaved persons are intent only on the gratification of sense, living like the brutes, having no rational or spiritual object worthy the pursuit of an immortal being. Whether the particular lusts and pleasures involve misuse of good things that the Lord provides or are intrinsically evil, the natural man desires and enjoys them for purely selfish and sinful reasons. Spurgeon writes that... We were also the bond slaves of pleasure. Alas! alas! that we were so far infatuated as to call it pleasure! Looking back at our former lives, we may well be amazed that we could once take pleasure in things whereof we are now ashamed. The Lord has taken the very name of our former idols out of our mouths. A holy man was wont to carry with him a book which had three leaves in it, but never a word. The first leaf was black, and this showed his sin; the second was red, and this reminded him of the way of cleansing by blood; while the third was white, to show how clean the Lord can make us. I beg you just now to study that first black page. It is all black; and as you look at it it shows blacker and blacker. What seemed at one time to be a little white darkens down as it is gazed upon, till it wears the deepest shade of all. Ye were sometimes erring in your minds and in your pursuits. Is not this enough to bring the water into your eyes, O ye that now follow the Lamb whithersoever He goeth? SPENDING OUR LIFE IN MALICE AND ENVY: en kakia kai phthono diagontes (PAPMPN): (Ro 1:29, 30, 31; 2Cor 12:20; 2Ti 3:2,3) "Copy and paste the address below into your web browser in order to go to the original page which will allow you to access live links related to the material on this page - these links include Scriptures (which can be read in context), Scripture pop-ups on mouse over, and a variety of related resources such as Bible dictionary articles, commentaries, sermon notes and theological journal articles related to the topic under discussion." http://www.preceptaustin.org/titus_33.htm#Pleasures%20(2237)%20hedone