Degenerate, degeneracy
What is the meaning of degenerate / degeneracy?
The adjective degenerate is defined as “having declined or deteriorated physically, mentally, or morally.” Degeneracy, then, is the state or property of being degenerate. Although neither word is found in Scripture, the concept of degeneracy is nevertheless present.
In the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve fell from a perfect state of innocence into an absolute state of disobedience. They sank morally; that is, they became degenerate. Genesis 3 recounts the events that led to the fall, marking the introduction of sin into the world and the ensuing consequences.
The consequences of Adam’s disobedience echo throughout Scripture. In Romans 5:12, for instance, the apostle Paul articulates the far-reaching impact of sin: “Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people because all sinned.” The entrance of sin into the world initiated the process of degeneracy, whereby “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).
The biblical understanding of degeneracy aligns with the doctrine of total depravity. This doctrine posits that the fall corrupted every aspect of human nature (intellect, will, emotions, and body). Jeremiah 17:9 vividly portrays the state of the unregenerate heart: “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?” (ESV). This verse underscores the pervasive impact of sin, rendering the heart in need of a divine cure (cf. Jeremiah 31:33; Romans 5:5).
While the biblical narrative paints a dark picture of human degeneracy, it also points to the hope of redemption through Jesus Christ. In Romans 5:19, Paul contrasts the disobedience of Adam with the obedience of Christ: “For as by the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous” (ESV).
The remedy for degeneracy lies solely in the finished work of Christ. His perfect obedience, sacrificial and substitutionary death, and victorious resurrection restore fallen humanity to God. In Ephesians 2:8–9, Paul writes that salvation is entirely an act of God: “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast” (ESV).
Salvation is an instantaneous act of God’s grace. However, the journey does not end there. Believers must continue to be sanctified and transformed into the image of Christ (Romans 8:29). In Philippians 2:12–13, Paul urges believers to “work out [their] salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.”
The process of sanctification is a cooperative effort between believers and the Holy Spirit to overcome the power of sin and become more like Christ. This is done through constant prayer, Scripture reading and meditation, and Christian fellowship.
The degeneracy of mankind serves as a backdrop against which the brilliance of God’s grace and mercy shine brightly. Human fallenness requires divine intervention. As believers navigate the tension between the fact of degeneracy and the hope of redemption, the Holy Spirit works within us to produce good works that are pleasing to God. Degeneracy, then, is not the final word, and our degenerate state is not our final condition. It is simply a prelude to greater things to come, when God will restore, transform, and make all things new (Revelation 21:5).
