Bible Dictionary
ABUSE
Abuse means to dishonor, insult, harm, or misuse. Scripture also uses the term for sexual sin and for using something improperly or excessively.
Definition
To abuse is to dishonor, mock, insult, harm, defile, or misuse. Biblical usage also includes sexual defilement and the improper use of something.
Biblical Usage
The term describes harm or mockery in the Old Testament, sexual sin in New Testament vice lists, and the misuse of worldly things in the King James rendering of Paul’s teaching.
Historical Background
The Revised Version replaces “abusing it” with “using it to the full” in the cited Pauline passages.
Historical Bible Dictionaries
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>a-buz': "To dishonor," "to make mock of," "to insult," etc.</p><p>(1) Translated in the Old Testament from `alal, "to do harm," "to defile" (Jud 19:25), "to make mock of" (1Sa 31:4).</p><p>(2) Translated in the New Testament from arsenokoites, literally, "one who lies with a male," "a sodomite" (1Co 6:9; 1Ti 1:10; the King James Version "for them that defile themselves with mankind").</p><p>(3) In the King James Version 1Co 7:31 "as not abusing it," from katachraomai, "to abuse," i.e. misuse; the Revised Version (British and American) "using it to the full," also 1Co 9:18.</p>