| B-1 | Verb | Strong’s Number: g1937 | Greek: epithumeo |
Lust (Noun and Verb):
akin to A, No. 1, has the same twofold meaning as the noun, namely
(a) “to desire,” used of the Holy Spirit against the flesh, Gal 5:17 (see below); of the Lord Jesus, Luk 22:15, “I have desired;” of the holy angels, 1Pe 1:12; of good men, for good things, Mat 13:17; 1Ti 3:1; Hbr 6:11; of men, for things without moral quality, Luk 15:16; 16:21; 17:22; Rev 9:6;
(b) of “evil desires,” in respect of which it is translated “to lust” in Mat 5:28; 1Cr 10:6; Gal 5:17 (1st part; see below); Jam 4:2; to covet, Act 20:23; Rom 7:7; 13:9.
See COVET, DESIRE, B, No. 2.
Notes:
(1) In Gal 5:17, in the statement, “the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh,” the Holy Spirit is intended, as in the preceding verse. To walk by the Spirit involves the opposition here referred to. The verb “lusteth” is not repeated in the second part of the statement, but must in some way be supplied. Since in modern English the word “lust” is used exclusively in a bad sense, it is unsuitable as a translation of epithumeo, where the word is used in a good sense. As the rendering “desire” is used of the Lord Jesus (as mentioned above), it may be best so understood here in respect of the Holy Spirit.
(2) In Jam 4:5 the RV translates correctly in giving two questions, each of a rhetorical character, asked by way of remonstrance. The first draws attention to the fact that it is impossible for the Scripture to speak in vain; the second to the impossibility that the Holy Spirit, whom God has caused to dwell in the believer, should “long (unto envying),” epipotheo (AV, “lust”). Here again, not the human spirit is in view, but the Spirit of God; cp. 1Cr 6:19.
See LONG.
The author here uses the word remonstrance which means a forcefully reproachful protest. (yes I had to look up the meaning) This is clearly one of those subject matters that evoke strong personal emotions and cannot be boiled down to a simple definition.
If we understand one another we will know what subjects are considered taboo and which ones need to be explored in greater detail.
My desire in these efforts on the study of lust is to help us avoid wounding one another by insisting that our understanding is more important than the relationship we have with one another.
Love does not insist on having its own way.