The term "uncomely" is used in the Bible to describe something that lacks beauty, grace, or appropriateness. It often refers to actions, appearances, or behaviors that are considered unbecoming or unsuitable, especially in the context of Christian conduct and the order of the church.

Biblical Usage:

1. 1 Corinthians 12:23 : "And the parts we consider less honorable, we treat with greater honor. And our unpresentable parts are treated with special modesty." In this passage, the Apostle Paul uses the term "uncomely" (translated as "unpresentable" in the) to describe parts of the body that are less honorable or less presentable. Paul emphasizes the importance of treating these parts with greater care and modesty, illustrating the unity and interdependence of the body of Christ. This metaphor highlights the value of every member of the church, regardless of their perceived status or role.

2. 1 Corinthians 7:36 (KJV): While the Berean Standard Bible does not use the term "uncomely" in this verse, the King James Version does: "But if any man think that he behaveth himself uncomely toward his virgin, if she pass the flower of her age, and need so require, let him do what he will, he sinneth not: let them marry." Here, "uncomely" refers to behavior that is inappropriate or unbecoming, particularly in the context of a man's conduct toward a woman to whom he is betrothed. The passage advises that if a man feels he is acting improperly, he should marry her to maintain propriety and avoid sin.

Theological Implications:

The concept of "uncomely" in Scripture underscores the importance of modesty, honor, and propriety within the Christian community. It serves as a reminder that all members of the body of Christ, regardless of their outward appearance or societal status, are to be treated with dignity and respect. This aligns with the broader biblical teaching that God values the heart and character over external appearances (1 Samuel 16:7).

Practical Application:

In practical terms, Christians are encouraged to conduct themselves in a manner that reflects the values of the Kingdom of God. This includes dressing modestly, speaking kindly, and acting with integrity. The call to avoid "uncomely" behavior is a call to live in a way that honors God and edifies others, fostering a community where love and respect prevail.

Cultural Context:

In the cultural context of the New Testament, "uncomely" behavior would have been seen as actions that disrupt the harmony and order of the community. The early church was called to be a counter-cultural community that exemplified the values of Christ, and avoiding "uncomely" behavior was part of maintaining that distinctiveness.

Overall, the biblical concept of "uncomely" serves as a guide for Christians to live in a way that is pleasing to God and beneficial to the community, emphasizing the inner qualities of the heart over outward appearances.(a.) Not comely. -- adv. In an uncomely manner.809. aschemon -- shapeless, ie fig. unseemly
... Word Origin from alpha (as a neg. prefix) and schema Definition shapeless,
ie fig. unseemly NASB Word Usage presentable (1). uncomely. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/809.htm - 7k

807. aschemoneo -- to act unbecomingly
... behave unseemly. From askemon; to be (ie Act) unbecoming -- behave self uncomely
(unseemly). see GREEK askemon. (aschemonei) -- 1 Occurrence. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/807.htm - 7k

Whether the Honest is the Same as the Beautiful?
... On the contrary, The Apostle says (1:Cor.12:23,24): "Those that are our uncomely
[inhonesta] parts, have more abundant comeliness [honestatem], but our comely ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether the honest is the.htm

Whether Honesty Should be Reckoned a Part of Temperance?
... Thus honesty is more to be ascribed to temperance according to the rule given by
the Apostle (1:Cor.12:23) when he says that "our uncomely parts have more ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether honesty should be reckoned.htm

Faustus Seeks to Justify the Docetism of the Manich??ans. Augustin ...
... saints. Some members, indeed, are called uncomely, because they have not
so pleasing an appearance as those constantly in view. ...
/.../faustus seeks to justify the.htm

1 Cor. xii. 21
... Ver.23. "And those parts of the body which we think to be less honorable, upon these
we bestow more abundant honor; and our uncomely parts have more abundant ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily xxxi 1 cor xii.htm

The Third Part.
... or is there any better then God, or the kingdome of heaven? Is it comely what ever
we do, to do it with all our might? onely uncomely when wee serve God? ...
/.../ward/a coal from the altar to kindle the holy fire of zeale/the third part.htm

On the True Beauty.
... And that the Lord Himself was uncomely in aspect, the Spirit testifies by Esaias:
"And we saw Him, and He had no form nor comeliness but His form was mean ...
/.../clement/the instructor paedagogus/chapter i on the true beauty.htm

Self-Humbling and Self-Searching
... of the fair, spoke no less than the truth when they affirmed it; but in her own
esteem she felt herself to be so little fair, and so much uncomely, that she ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/self-humbling and self-searching.htm

Providence
... lot to see. It certainly was a huge uncomely building, but, nevertheless, it
seemed well adapted to answer the purpose. We met together ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/providence.htm

Virginity a Gift of God: the Purpose of Virginity not Rashly to be ...
... For let us consider what he lays down: [2607] "But if any man think that he behaveth
himself uncomely towards his virgin," he says," if she pass the flower of ...
/.../chapter xiv virginity a gift of.htm

He Proves that Christ is Called Lord of Hosts.
... For when the rulers of heaven saw Him of uncomely and dishonoured appearance, and
inglorious, not recognising Him, they inquired, Who is this King of glory ...
/.../chapter xxxvi he proves that christ.htm

Uncomely (2 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (a.) Not comely. -- adv. In an uncomely manner.
Multi-Version Concordance Uncomely (2 Occurrences). ...
/u/uncomely.htm - 7k

Comeliness (9 Occurrences)
... of na'weh; Psalm 33:1; Psalm 147:1), ie suitable or befitting "for the righteous,"
and, therefore, an honor and glory; "uncomely parts," aschemona (1 ...
/c/comeliness.htm - 10k

Unclothed (14 Occurrences)

/u/unclothed.htm - 10k

Homely (1 Occurrence)
... 3. (n.) of plain or coarse features; uncomely; -- contrary to handsome. 4. (adv.)
Plainly; rudely; coarsely; as, homely dressed. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/h/homely.htm - 7k

Void (64 Occurrences)
... 12:23 and those parts of the body which we esteem to be the more void of honour,
these we clothe with more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more ...
/v/void.htm - 26k

Uncomforted (3 Occurrences)

/u/uncomforted.htm - 7k

Esteem (25 Occurrences)
... 12:23 and those parts of the body which we esteem to be the more void of honour,
these we clothe with more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more ...
/e/esteem.htm - 17k

Behaveth (4 Occurrences)
... 1 Corinthians 7:36 But if any man think that he behaveth himself uncomely toward
his virgin, if she pass the flower of her age, and need so require, let him do ...
/b/behaveth.htm - 7k

Comely (32 Occurrences)
... of na'weh; Psalm 33:1; Psalm 147:1), ie suitable or befitting "for the righteous,"
and, therefore, an honor and glory; "uncomely parts," aschemona (1 ...
/c/comely.htm - 16k

Uncomely: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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