Revelling, often associated with excessive indulgence in feasting, drinking, and merrymaking, is addressed in the Bible as a behavior contrary to the life of holiness and self-control expected of believers. The term is frequently linked with other forms of debauchery and is considered a work of the flesh that stands in opposition to the fruit of the Spirit.

Biblical References:

1. Galatians 5:19-21: In his epistle to the Galatians, the Apostle Paul lists revelling among the "acts of the flesh." He writes, "The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery; idolatry and sorcery; hatred, discord, jealousy, and rage; rivalries, divisions, factions, and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God" . Here, revelling is grouped with behaviors that are incompatible with the inheritance of God's kingdom, emphasizing the seriousness of such conduct.

2. 1 Peter 4:3: The Apostle Peter also addresses the issue of revelling, urging believers to abandon their past sinful lifestyles. He states, "For you have spent enough time in the past carrying out the same desires as the Gentiles: living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing, and detestable idolatry" . This passage highlights the transformation expected in the life of a believer, moving away from worldly pleasures and towards a life of righteousness.

3. Romans 13:13: Paul exhorts the Roman Christians to live honorably, contrasting the behavior of the night with the conduct expected in the light of day. He writes, "Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy" . The call is to live a life that reflects the light of Christ, avoiding the darkness associated with revelling and similar behaviors.

Theological Implications:

Revelling is often seen as a manifestation of a life not surrendered to the Holy Spirit. It represents a pursuit of temporary pleasures that can lead to spiritual and moral decay. The Bible consistently calls believers to a higher standard of living, one that reflects the holiness of God and the transformative power of the Gospel.

Practical Considerations:

For Christians, the call to avoid revelling is not merely about abstaining from certain activities but about cultivating a lifestyle that honors God. This involves exercising self-control, seeking fellowship that encourages spiritual growth, and engaging in activities that build up rather than tear down. The avoidance of revelling is part of the broader Christian ethic of living a life that is distinct from the world, marked by sobriety, moderation, and a focus on eternal values.

Cultural Context:

In the ancient world, revelling was often associated with pagan festivals and rituals, which included excessive drinking and immoral behavior. The early Christians, living in such a context, were called to stand apart from these practices, demonstrating the transformative power of the Gospel in their lives. This call remains relevant today, as believers navigate a culture that often glorifies similar excesses.(vb. n.) of Revel.2970. komos -- a village festival, revel
... reveling, rioting. From keimai; a carousal (as if letting loose) -- revelling, rioting.
see GREEK keimai. (komoi) -- 1 Occurrence. (komois) -- 2 Occurrences. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2970.htm - 7k

DL Moody
... return." And again, "just as judgment overtook Belshazzar carousing at his feast,
so will judgment come suddenly and swiftly upon the world revelling in its ...
/.../moody/that gospel sermon on the blessed hope/d l moody.htm

Commandment Eighth. We Ought to Shun that which is Evil, and do ...
... sir," say I, "are the evil deeds from which we must restrain ourselves?" "Hear,"
says he: "from adultery and fornication, from unlawful revelling, [203] from ...
/.../pastor/the pastor books first second third/commandment eighth we ought to.htm

James v. 1-6
... slaughter." That is; as one pampers the beast destined for slaughter, so have ye,
giving yourselves up to the service of your lusts, and revelling in careless ...
/.../neander/the epistle of james practically explained/james v 6-jan.htm

Christ Crucified
... covered with the slime of pollution, a Sodom on a large scale"corrupt, filthy, depraved;
indulging in vices which we dare not mention; revelling in lust too ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/christ crucified.htm

Sirach's Prayer for a Happy and Temperate Life.
... disdaining. Oh! may I ne'er delighted be By revelling and eating; Be what Thou
lov'st belov'd by me, Though others shun it, hating. The ...
/.../gerhardt/paul gerhardts spiritual songs/sirachs prayer for a happy.htm

(During Her Retreat Before Profession) September 4, 1890
... It is true her Betrothed has led her through fertile lands and gorgeous scenery,
but the dark night has prevented her admiring, much less revelling in, the ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/therese/story of a soul/iv during her retreat before.htm

To Innocent, Bishop of Rome, Greeting in the Lord.
... Isaurian swords, we are not a little encouraged and comforted by the constant and
abiding nature of your disposition and confidence, and by revelling in your ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/to innocent bishop of rome.htm

Letter Xcviii. From the Synod of Chalcedon to Leo.
... And we were all delighted, revelling, as at an imperial banquet, in the spiritual
food, which Christ supplied to us through your letter: and we seemed to see ...
/.../leo/writings of leo the great/letter xcviii from the synod.htm

Letter xiii. --(For 341. ) Coss. Marcellinus, Probinus; Pr??f. ...
... Now the unbelievers do not consider that there is a season for feasts, because they
spend all their lives in revelling and follies; and the feasts which they ...
/.../select works and letters or athanasius/letter xiii for 341 coss marcellinus.htm

Of Paradise, that it Can be Understood in a Spiritual Sense ...
... man despise the will of God, he can only destroy himself; and so he learns the
difference between consecrating himself to the common good and revelling in his ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 21 of paradise that it.htm

Revelling (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (vb. n.) of Revel. Multi-Version Concordance Revelling
(1 Occurrence). Romans 13:13 Let us walk becomingly ...
/r/revelling.htm - 6k

Revellings (2 Occurrences)
... In Romans 13:13 the Revised Version has "revelling" instead of the King James Version
"rioting," and in 2 Peter 2:13, "revel" replaces "riot." Similarly in ...
/r/revellings.htm - 8k

Revelled (2 Occurrences)

/r/revelled.htm - 7k

Riot (14 Occurrences)
... In Proverbs 23:20; Proverbs 28:7 the Revised Version (British and American) has
preferred "gluttonous," "glutton," in Romans 13:13, "revelling," and in 2 Peter ...
/r/riot.htm - 12k

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