Quick Definition
ἀσέλγεια, ας, ἡ n.f. wantonness, lewdness
Strong's Definition
from a compound of 1 (as a negative particle) and a presumed selges (of uncertain derivation, but apparently meaning continent); licentiousness (sometimes including other vices)
KJV Usage: filthy, lasciviousness, wantonness
UBS Dictionary of the Greek New Testament
noun, f. | -ας
88.272 · Moral and Ethical Qualities and Related Behavior · Sexual Misbehavior
licentious behavior, extreme immorality behavior completely lacking in moral restraint, usually with the implication of sexual licentiousness In some languages the equivalent of ‘licentious behavior’ would be ‘to live like a dog’ or ‘to act like a goat’ or ‘to be a rooster,’ in each instance pertaining to promiscuous sexual behavior.
MRK 7:22 · ROM 13:13 · 2CO 12:21 · GAL 5:19 · EPH 4:19 · 1PE 4:3 · 2PE 2:2 · 2PE 2:7 · 2PE 2:18 · JUD 1:4
UBS Dictionary of the Greek New Testament © United Bible Societies, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Thayer's Greek Lexicon
ἀσέλγεια, -as, 7, the conduct and character of one who is ἀσελγής (a word which some suppose to be compounded of a priv. and Σέλγη, the name of a city in Pisidia whose citizens excelled in strictness of morals [so Etym. Magn. 152, 38; per contra ef. Suidas 603 d.]; others of a intens. and σαλαγεῖν to disturb, raise a din; others, and now the majority, of a priv. and σέλγω i. q. θέλγω. not affecting pleasantly, exciting disgust), wnbridled lust, excess, licentiousnéss, lasciviousness, wantonness, outrageousness, shamelessness, insolence: Mk. vii. 22 (where it is uncertain what particular vice is spoken of); of gluttony and venery, Jude 4; plur., 1 Pet. iv. 3; 2 Pet. ii. 2 (for Rec. ἀπωλείαις), 18; of carnality, lasciviousness: 2 Co. xii. 21; Gal. v.19; Eph.iv. 19; 2 Pet. ii. 7; plur. “wanton (acts or) manners, as filthy words, indecent bodily movements, unchaste handling of males and females, etc.” (Fritzsche), Ro. xiii. 18. (In bibl. Grk. besides only in Sap. xiv. 26 and 3 Mace. ii. 26. Among Grk. writ. used by Plat., Isocr. et sqq.; at length by Plut. [Lucull. 887 and Leian. [dial. meretr. 6] of the wantonness of women [Zob. ad Phryn. p.184n.].) Cf. Tittmann i. p. 151 sq.; [esp. Trench § xvi.].
Mounce Concise Greek Dictionary
ἀσέλγεια aselgeia 10x
intemperance; licentiousness, lasciviousness, Rom. 13:13; insolence, outrageous behavior, Mk. 7:22
Abbott-Smith Greek Lexicon
** ἀσέλγεια, -ας, ἡ
(< ἀσελγής, licentious; v. MM, s.v.), [in LXX: Wi 14:26, III Mac 2:26*;]
licentiousness, wantonness, excess: Mk 7:22, Ro 13:13, II Co 12:21, Ga 5:19 (Lft., in l.), Eph 4:19, I Pe 4:3, II Pe 2:2, 7, 18, Ju 4.†
SYN.: ἀσωτία, profligacy, prodigality (v. Tr., Syn., § xvi; DB, iii, 46).
Moulton & Milligan — Vocabulary of the Greek NT
ἀσέλγεια appeared in P Magd 245 according to the original reading, but has been corrected in the new edition. The adj. appears among a number of technical epithets of ζῴδια in Vettius Valens p. 3355". -Ὦ χερσαῖα ἢ ἀσελγῆ ἢ λατρευτικὰ καὶ τὰ λοιπά. An obscure and badly-spelt document of iv/v A.D., BGU IV. 1024 ¥: 2", seems to contain this noun in the form ἀθελγία- -ἀλλὰ ᾿ναντία Kal ταύτης ὑπὸ σοῦ γενόμενον ἀθελγία ἐλενλέχ[ο]υσα τὰ πεπραγμένα, which the editor understands as = ἀλλ᾽ ἐναντία ταύτῃ ἡ ὑπὸ σοῦ γενομένη ἀθελγία ἐλέγχουσα κτλ. But we mention this passage only to note how early the popular etymology was current connecting it with @€Ayw. It is dubious at best, and the history of the word is really unknown ; but cf. Havers in /zdogerm. Forschungen xxviii (1911) p. 194 ff., who, adopting the foregoing etymology, understands ἀσελγής as = “‘ geschlagen,” then ‘‘ wahnsinnig,” and then ‘‘liebestoll, wolliistig.” He has not convinced Prof. Thumb. For the idea of sensuality associated with the word in late Greek, see Lightfoot on Gal 5,3. A cognate noun appears in P Oxy VI. 9035} (iv/A.D.) πολλὰ ἀσελγήματα λέγων εἰς πρόσωπόν pov καὶ διὰ τῆς ῥινὸς αὐτοί Ὁ], ““ πιδὶπο many terms of abuse to my face, and through his nose” (Edd.). The complainant is a Christian.
Liddell-Scott-Jones — Greek-English Lexicon
ἀσέλγεια (aselgeia) — debauchery. ἀσέλγ-εια, ἡ, licentiousness, wanton violence, [Refs 5th c.BC+]; insolence, opposed to κολακεία, [Refs 4th c.BC+]
II. licentiousness, περὶ τὰς σωματικὰς ἐπιθυμίας[Refs 2nd c.BC+]