The Greek word epithymētḗs, represented by G1938, is a term for a craver. It appears only 1 time across 1 unique verse in the Bible. This noun is derived from the verb ἐπιθυμέω and defines a person who possesses a strong desire or craving, often translated with the phrase "lust after."
The sole appearance of G1938 is in 1 Corinthians 10:6, where it serves as a powerful warning. The verse uses the Israelites' failures as examples for believers, stating that we should not be those who "lust after evil things," with the term for the craver itself being G1938. This verse draws a direct parallel between the noun and its related verb, clarifying the warning by adding "as they also lusted G1937." The specific nature of this craving is defined by its object: evil G2556 things.
Several related words clarify the meaning and context of being a craver:
- G1937 epithyméō (to set the heart upon, i.e. long for (rightfully or otherwise)): As the root verb, this word describes the action of the craver. Its meaning varies with context, from the negative sense of the flesh that "lusteth against the Spirit" Galatians 5:17 to a righteous longing, such as when one "desireth a good work" in the office of a bishop 1 Timothy 3:1.
- G2556 kakós (worthless... depraved, or... injurious): This adjective is directly linked to G1938 in its only appearance, specifying the nature of the desire as a craving for evil things 1 Corinthians 10:6. This word consistently refers to what is wicked or injurious, such as the "evil" for which one should not render evil in return 1 Peter 3:9.
The theological weight of G1938 is highly specific and focused on the nature of sinful desire.
- A Warning of Character: The use of a noun, a craver, rather than just a verb, emphasizes a state of being. The warning in 1 Corinthians 10:6 is not merely about a single act of lusting, but about becoming the type of person who is a craver of evil things. This connects to the instruction to mortify "evil concupiscence" Colossians 3:5.
- The Object Defines the Desire: The word's sole context, tied to evil G2556, highlights a key theological point: desire itself is not inherently sinful, but its moral quality is determined by its object. The related verb G1937 is used for both sinful lusting James 4:2 and righteous longing, as when angels "desire" to look into the plan of salvation 1 Peter 1:12.
- Learning from History: Its placement in 1 Corinthians 10:6 makes it a cornerstone of the argument that the church should learn from the negative examples of Israel. Being a craver of evil is presented as one of the key failures that defined that generation's sin.
In summary, G1938 is more than just a word for desire; it is a precise label for a craver, a person defined by their longing for what is evil. Though used only once, its appearance in 1 Corinthians 10:6 serves as a critical warning for believers to not adopt the character of those who failed before them. It powerfully illustrates how the direction of one's desire—whether toward good or toward evil G2556—is a matter of profound spiritual significance.
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