The Greek word rhaidioúrgēma, represented by G4467, translates to lewdness. It appears only 1 time in 1 unique verse in the Bible. The term is derived from words meaning "easy" or "reckless" and "work," and its base definition signifies easy-going behavior that extends to criminality. It describes a flagrant or reckless crime.
The single use of G4467 occurs in a legal context in Acts 18:14. When the Jews brought Paul before the proconsul Gallio for judgment, Gallio stated that if the issue were "a matter of wrong or wicked lewdness," he would have reason to hear their case. By using this term, Gallio categorizes a specific type of serious, public crime that would fall under his jurisdiction, distinguishing it from the religious dispute the Jews presented.
In its only appearance, G4467 is used alongside other words that clarify its meaning:
- G92 adíkēma (a wrong done:--evil doing, iniquity, matter of wrong.): This term denotes a specific act of injustice or iniquity. It is used to describe the sins of Babylon that have reached to heaven Revelation 18:5 and the "evil doing" Paul was accused of Acts 24:20.
- G4190 ponērós (hurtful, i.e. evil... morally... culpable, i.e. derelict, vicious, facinorous...): This word describes something that is morally wicked, corrupt, or evil in its effect. It is used in prayers for deliverance from evil Matthew 6:13 and to describe an "evil conscience" Hebrews 10:22.
The significance of G4467 is found in its specific, contextual application.
- Defining Criminality: In its sole scriptural use, the term helps establish a legal and moral boundary. Gallio uses it to differentiate a prosecutable crime from a matter of religious interpretation, providing insight into how severe public offenses were viewed Acts 18:14.
- The Nature of Wickedness: Paired with "matter of wrong" G92 and "wicked" G4190, it forms a triad describing a profoundly corrupt act. This act is not only unjust but also springs from a vicious or reckless character, a concept echoed in the teaching that evil proceeds from the heart Luke 6:45.
- Recklessness and Sin: The word's origin in "easy-going behavior" suggests a warning against recklessness. It implies that a careless or unprincipled lifestyle can culminate in serious, criminal transgression.
In summary, G4467 is a highly specific term for a particularly reckless and wicked crime. Though appearing only once, its context in Acts 18:14, supported by the accompanying terms G92 and G4190, paints a vivid picture of a public, egregious offense. It highlights a category of sin that is not only morally bankrupt but also legally actionable in a civil society.
TRV