Reference: Evil
Hastings
EVIL is an older form of the word 'ill'; used, both as substantive and adjective, to tr various synonyms and ranging in meaning from physical unfitness to moral wickedness. The former is archaic, but occurs in Ge 28:8 (Authorized Version margin), Ex 21:8 (Authorized Version margin), Jer 24:3 (AV), and Mt 7:18, though the two last passages are not without an ethical tinge. But the word almost invariably connotes what is either morally corrupt (see Sin) or injurious to life and happiness.
1. In the OT the two meanings are at first scarcely differentiated. Whatever comes to man from without is, to begin with, attributed simply to God (Am 3:6; La 3:38; Eze 14:9; Isa 45:7). Destruction is wrought by His angels (Ex 12:23; 2Sa 24:16; Ps 78:49). Moral temptations come from Him (2Sa 24:1; 1Ki 22:23), though there is a tendency to embody them in beings which, though belonging to the host of heaven, are spoken of as evil or lying spirits (1Sa 16:14; Jg 9:23; 1Ki 22:22). The serpent of the Fall narrative cannot be pressed to mean more than a symbol of temptation, though the form which the temptation takes suggests hostility to the will of God external to the spirit of the woman (2Co 11:3, cf. Ge 3:1-3). Then later we have the figure of the Adversary or Satan, who, though still dependent on the will of God, is nevertheless so identified with evil that he is represented as taking the initiative in seduction (Zec 3:1; 1Ch 21:1, but cf. 2Sa 24:1). This marks the growth of the sense of God's holiness (De 32:4 etc.), the purity which cannot behold evil (Hab 1:13); and correspondingly sharpens the problem. Heathen gods are now identified with demons opposed to the God of Israel (De 32:17; Ps 106:37; cf. 1Co 10:20). This tendency, increased perhaps by Persian influence, becomes dominant in apocryphal literature (2Pe 2:4 and Jude 1:6 are based on the Book of Enoch), where the fallen angels are a kingdom at war with the Kingdom of God.
2. In the NT moral evil is never ascribed to God (Jas 1:13), being essentially hostile to His mind and will (Ro 1:18-21; 5:10; 1Jo 1:5-7; 2:16,29; 3:4,9); but to the Evil One (Mt 6:13; 13:19; 1Jo 5:19), an active and personal being identical with the Devil (Mt 13:39; Joh 8:44) or Satan (Mt 4:10; Mr 4:15; Lu 22:31; Joh 13:27), who with his angels (Mt 25:41) is cast down from heaven (Re 12:9, cf. Lu 10:18), goes to and fro in the earth as the universal adversary (1Pe 5:8; Eph 4:27; 6:11; Jas 4:7), and will be finally imprisoned with his ministering spirits (Re 20:2,10, cf. Mt 25:41). Pain and suffering are ascribed sometimes to God (Re 3:19; 1Th 3:3; Heb 12:5-11), inasmuch as all things work together for good to those that love Him (Ro 8:28); sometimes to Satan (Lu 13:16; 2Co 12:7) and the demons (Mt 8:28 etc.), who are suffered to hurt the earth for a season (Re 9:1-11; 12:12).
The speculative question of the origin of evil is not resolved in Holy Scripture, being one of those things of which we are not competent judges (see Butler's Analogy, i. 7, cf. 1Co 13:12). Pain is justified by the redemption of the body (Ro 8:18-25; 1Pe 4:13), punishment by the peaceable fruits of righteousness (Heb 12:7-11), and the permission of moral evil by the victory of the Cross (Joh 12:31; Ro 8:37-39; Col 2:15; 1Co 15:24-28). Accept the facts and look to the end is the teaching of the Bible as a guide to practical religion (Jas 5:11). Beyond this we enter the region of that high theology which comprehensive thinkers like Aquinas or Calvin have not shrunk from formulating, but which, so far as it is dealt with in the NT, appears rather as a by-product of evangelical thought, than as the direct purpose of revelation (as, e.g., in Ro 9, where God's elective choice is stated only as the logical presupposition of grace). St. Paul is content to throw the responsibility for the moral facts of the universe upon God (Ro 9:19-24; cf. Job 33:12; Ec 5:2; Isa 29:16), who, however, is not defined as capricious and arbitrary power, but revealed as the Father, who loves the creatures of His hand, and has foreordained all things to a perfect consummation in Christ the Beloved (Eph 1:3-14 etc.).
J. G. Simpson.
See Verses Found in Dictionary
But the serpent was subtler than all the beasts of the field which the LORD God had made; and said unto the woman, "Ah sir, that God hath said, ye shall not eat of all manner trees in the garden." And the woman said unto the serpent, "Of the fruit of the trees in the garden we may eat, read more. but of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, said God, see that ye eat not, and see that ye touch it not: lest ye die."
For the LORD will go about and smite Egypt. And when he seeth the blood upon the upper door post and on the two side posts, he will pass over the door and will not suffer the destroyer to come into your house to plague you.
If she please not her master, so that he hath given her to no man to wife, then shall he let her go free: to sell her unto a strange nation shall he have no power, because he despised her.
He is a Rock, and perfect are his deeds, for all his ways are with discretion. God is faithful and without wickedness, both righteous and just is he.
They offered unto field-devils and not to God; and to gods which they knew not; and to new gods that came newly up, which their fathers feared not.
There shall not a man be able to withstand thee all the days of thy life. For as I was with Moses, so will I be with thee and will neither leave thee, nor forsake thee. Be strong and bold: for unto this people shalt thou divide the land which I sware unto their fathers to give them. read more. Above all things, be strong and harden thyself, to observe and to do according to all the laws which Moses my servant commanded thee. Turn there from neither to the righthand, nor to the left: that thou mayest have understanding in all thou takest in hand.
And she said unto them, get you into the mountains, lest the followers meet you; and hide yourselves there three days, until the pursuers be returned, and then may ye go your ways.
So yet that there be a space between you and it, about a two thousand cubits by measure. And come not nigh unto it, that ye may know the way by which ye must go: for ye have not gone by it in times past."
Then spake Joshua to the children of Israel, saying, "Come hither and hear the words of the LORD your God."
God sent a hate between Abimelech and the citizens of Shechem. And the citizens of Shechem railed upon Abimelech,
But the spirit of the LORD departed from Saul; and an evil spirit, sent of the LORD, vexed him.
And the LORD was wroth again against Israel, and stirred up David against them, saying, "Go and number both Israel and Judah."
And the LORD was wroth again against Israel, and stirred up David against them, saying, "Go and number both Israel and Judah."
"Behold, unto these unreasonable words of thine will I make answer. Should God be reproved of man?
How he sent upon them the furiousness of his wrath, anger, displeasure, and trouble, and sent evil angels among them;
and let not thine heart speak anything rashly before God. For God is in heaven, and thou upon earth, therefore let thy words be few.
Doubtless, your destruction is, in reputation, as the potter's clay. And doth the work say of him that made it, "He made me not?" And doth an earthen vessel say of the potter, "He understandeth not?"
It is I that created the light, and darkness. I make peace, and trouble: yea, even I the LORD do all these things.
Then said the LORD unto me, "What seest thou Jeremiah?" I said, "Figs, whereof some be very good, and some so evil that no man may eat them."
out of the mouth of the most Highest goeth not evil and good"?
And if that Prophet be deceived, when he telleth him a word: then I the LORD myself have deceived that Prophet, and will stretch forth mine hand upon him, to root him out of my people of Israel:
Cry they out Alarum with the trumpet in the city, and the people not afraid? Cometh there any plague in a city without it be the LORD's doing?
Thine eyes are clean, thou mayest not see evil, thou cannot behold the thing that is wicked. Wherefore then doest thou look upon the ungodly, and holdest thy tongue, when the wicked devoureth the man that is better than himself?
And he showed me Joshua the high priest, standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan stood at his righthand to resist him.
Then said Jesus unto him, "Depart, Satan: For it is written, 'Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God and him only shalt thou serve.'"
Lead us not into temptation: but deliver us from evil, For thine is the kingdom and the power, and the glory for ever. Amen.
A good tree cannot bring forth bad fruit: nor yet a bad tree can bring forth good fruit.
And when he was come to the other side, into the country of the Gergesites, there met him two possessed of devils, which came out of the graves, and were out of measure fierce, so that no man might go by that way.
Whosoever heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, there cometh the evil man, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. And this is he which was sown by the wayside.
And the enemy that soweth them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the world. And the reapers be the angels.
Then shall the King say unto them that shall be on the left hand, 'Depart from me ye cursed, into everlasting fire, which is prepared for the devil and his angels.
Then shall the King say unto them that shall be on the left hand, 'Depart from me ye cursed, into everlasting fire, which is prepared for the devil and his angels.
And they that are by the wayside, where the word is sown, are they to whom as soon as they have heard it, cometh immediately Satan and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts.
And he said unto them, "I saw Satan, as it had been lightning, fall down from heaven.
And ought not this daughter of Abraham, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath day, whom Satan hath bound lo, eighteen years?"
And the Lord said, "Simon, Simon, behold Satan hath desired you, to sift you, as it were wheat:
Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father, ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning; And abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, then speaketh he of his own. For he is a liar, and the father thereof.
Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out a doors.
And after the sop, Satan entered into him. Then said Jesus unto him, "That thou dost, do quickly."
For the wrath of God appeareth from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men which withhold the truth in unrighteousness. Seeing what may be known of God, that same is manifest among them: For God did show it unto them. read more. So that his invisible things, that is to say, his eternal power and godhead, are understood and seen by the works from the creation of the world. So that they are without excuse, inasmuch as when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful: but waxed full of vanities in their imaginations. And their foolish hearts were blinded.
For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his son: much more, seeing we are reconciled, we shall be preserved by his life.
For I suppose that the afflictions of this life are not worthy of the glory which shall be showed upon us. Also, the fervent desire of the creatures abideth looking when the sons of God shall appear; read more. because the creatures are subdued to vanity against their will: but for his will which subdueth them in hope. For the very creatures shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption, into the glorious liberty of the sons of God. For we know that every creature groaneth with us also, and travaileth in pain even unto this time. Not they only, but even we also: which have the first fruits of the spirit mourn in ourselves and wait for the adoption and look for the deliverance of our bodies. For we are saved by hope. But hope that is seen is no hope. For how can a man hope for that which he seeth? But and if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience abide for it.
For we know well that all things work for the best unto them that love God, which also are called of purpose.
Nevertheless, in all these things we overcome strongly through his help that loved us. Yea and I am sure that neither death, neither life, neither angels; nor rule, neither power, neither things present, neither things to come, read more. neither height, neither lowth, neither any other creature shall be able to depart us from the love of God, showed in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Thou wilt say then unto me, "Why then blameth he us yet? For who can resist his will?" But O man what art thou, which disputest with God? Shall the work say to the workman, "Why hast thou made me on this fashion?" read more. Hath not the potter power over the clay, even of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour? Even so, God, willing to show his wrath, and to make his power known, suffered with long patience the vessels of wrath, ordained to damnation, that he might declare the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had prepared unto glory: that is to say, us which he called, not of the Jews only, but also of the gentiles.
Nay, but I say, that these things which the gentiles offer, they offer to devils, and not to God. And I would not that ye should have fellowship with the devils.
Now we see in a glass, even in a dark speaking: but then shall we see face to face. Now I know unperfectly: but then shall I know even as I am known.
But I fear, lest as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtlety, even so your wits should be corrupt from the singleness that is in Christ.
Blessed be God the father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which hath blessed us with all manner of spiritual blessings in heavenly things by Christ, according as he had chosen us in him through love, before the foundation of the world was laid, that we should be saints, and without blame before him, through love. read more. And ordained us before unto himself that we should be chosen before, through Jesus Christ, to be heirs unto himself according to the pleasure of his will, to the praise of the glory of his grace, wherewith he hath made us accepted in the beloved. By whom we have redemption through his blood, that is to say, even the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace, which grace he shed on us abundantly in all wisdom, and prudence. And hath opened unto us the mystery of his will according to his pleasure, and purposed the same in himself to have it declared when the time were full come: that all things, both the things which are in heaven, and also the things which are in earth, should be gathered together, even in Christ. That is to say, in him in whom we are made heirs, and were thereto predestinate according to the purpose of him which worketh all things after the purpose of his own will: that we should be unto the praise of his glory, which before believed in Christ. In whom also ye - after that ye heard the word of truth, I mean the gospel of your salvation wherein ye believed - were sealed with the holy spirit of promise, which is the earnest of our inheritance, to redeem the possession purchased, and that unto the laud of his glory.
neither give place unto the backbiter.
Put on the armour of God, that ye may stand steadfast against the crafty assaults of the devil.
and hath spoiled rule and power, and hath made a show of them openly, and hath triumphed over them in his own person.
And ye have forgotten the consolation which speaketh unto you, as unto children, "My son despise not the chastening of the Lord, neither faint when thou art rebuked of him: For whom the Lord loveth, him he chasteneth: yea, and he scourgeth every son that he receiveth." read more. If ye shall endure chastening, God offereth himself unto you, as unto sons. What son is that whom the father chasteneth not?
If ye shall endure chastening, God offereth himself unto you, as unto sons. What son is that whom the father chasteneth not? If ye be not under correction - whereof all are partakers - then are ye bastards and not sons.
If ye be not under correction - whereof all are partakers - then are ye bastards and not sons. Moreover, seeing we had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: should we not much rather be in subjection unto the father of spiritual gifts that we might live?
Moreover, seeing we had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: should we not much rather be in subjection unto the father of spiritual gifts that we might live? And they verily for a few days nurtured us after their own pleasure; but he learneth us unto that which is profitable, that we might receive of his holiness.
And they verily for a few days nurtured us after their own pleasure; but he learneth us unto that which is profitable, that we might receive of his holiness. No manner chastising for the present time seemeth to be joyous, but grievous; nevertheless, afterward it bringeth the quiet fruit of righteousness unto them which are therein exercised.
No manner chastising for the present time seemeth to be joyous, but grievous; nevertheless, afterward it bringeth the quiet fruit of righteousness unto them which are therein exercised.
Let no man say when he is tempted that he is tempted of God: for God tempteth not unto evil, neither tempteth he any man.
Submit yourselves to God, and resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have known what end the Lord made. For the Lord is very pitiful, and merciful.
Be sober, and watch. For your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down into hell, and delivered them in chains of darkness, to be kept unto judgement;
The angels also, which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day:
As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Be fervent therefore and repent.
And the fifth angel blew, and I saw a star fall from heaven unto the earth. And to him was given the key of the bottomless pit. And he opened the bottomless pit, and there arose the smoke of a great furnace. And the sun and the air were darkened by the reason of the smoke of the pit. read more. And there came out of the smoke locusts upon the earth: And unto them was given power as the scorpions of the earth have power. And it was said unto them that they should not hurt the grass of the earth: neither any green thing, neither any tree; but only those men which have not the seal in their foreheads, and to them was commanded that they should not kill them, but that they should be vexed five months, and their pain was as the pain that cometh of a scorpion, when he hath stung a man. And in those days shall men seek death, and shall not find it, and shall desire to die, and death shall fly from them. And the similitude of the locusts was like unto horses prepared unto battle, and on their heads were as it were crowns, like unto gold: and their faces were as it had been the faces of men. And they had hairs as the hairs of women. And their teeth were as the teeth of lions. And they had habergeons, as it were habergeons of iron. And the sound of their wings, was as the sound of chariots when many horses run together to battle. And they had tails like unto scorpions, and there were stings in their tails. And their power was to hurt men five months. And they had a king over them, which is the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in the Hebrew tongue, is Abadon: but in the Greek tongue, Apollion, that is to say: a destroyer.
And the great dragon, that old serpent called the devil and Satan; Was cast out. Which deceiveth all the world. And he was cast into the earth, and his angels were cast out also.
Therefore rejoice heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth, and of the sea: for the devil is come down unto you, which hath great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time."
And he took the dragon, that old serpent which is the devil and Satan, and he bound him a thousand years:
and the devil that deceived them, was cast into a lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet were and shall be tormented day and night for ever more.