Dissipation (810) (riot, KJV) (indulgent or wasteful living, especially excessive drinking) is asotia related to ásotos or prodigal, which in turn is derived from a = negative + sozo = save which describes something devoid of saving quality) and so strictly, the disposition of an ásotos or prodigal. Literally it is the picture of having no hope of safety, then describing the act of one who has abandoned himself to such reckless behavior. There are 3 uses in the NT -- Eph 5:18; Titus 1:6; 1Pet. 4:4 (one in Lxx = Prov. 28:7) Vincent says that asotia is literally "unsavingness" and describes the "the prodigal son who lived unsavingly [asotia]." Asotia is variously translated as profligacy (state of being completely given up to dissipation and licentiousness), reckless abandon, debauchery (extreme indulgence in sensuality), riotous living, wild, excess, extravagant squandering, dissoluteness, prodigality (quality of being recklessly extravagant with wasteful lavishness threatening to lead to early exhaustion of resources). Asotia describes behavior which shows lack of concern or thought for the consequences of an action as seen with senseless or reckless deeds. Asotia is the characteristic of an abandoned man, denoting a dissolute life and carries the idea even of rioting (as translated in the KJV) and was commonly used to describe drunken revelry at pagan festivals. Asotia portrays the utter recklessness in expenditure on part of those who have lost self-control (or never had it). Paul commanded the Ephesians not to "get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, (asotia) but be filled with the Spirit" (see note Ephesians 5:18) In the use in 1Peter 4:4, Peter gives us a good sense of the meaning of asotia (read the context), writing to the saints experiencing various trials that "the time already past is sufficient for you to have carried out the desire of the Gentiles, having pursued a course of sensuality, lusts, drunkenness, carousals, drinking parties and abominable idolatries. And in all this, they are surprised that you do not run with them into the same excess of dissipation (asotia), and they malign you; but they shall give account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead." (see notes 1 Peter 4 :3; 4 :4; 4 :5). Luke uses the related adverbial form (ásotos) to describe the actions of the prodigal son who "gathered everything together and went on a journey into a distant country and there he squandered his estate with loose living (this phrase is the related Gk adverb - ásotos) (Lk 15:13)." (who squandered his estate profligately, riotously, prodigally) Asotia describes the child who wastes money with the implication of wasting it on pleasures and thus ruining himself or herself. The Septuagint (Greek translation of the Hebrew) uses asotia one time in the following verse (which is Brenton's English translation) "A wise son keeps the law: but he that keeps up debauchery (asotia) dishonors his father." (Pr 28:7) The NASB translates Proverbs 28:7 "He who keeps the law is a discerning son, but he who is a companion of gluttons humiliates his father." Barclay adds the note that The man who is ásotos is incapable of saving (Ed note: this does not mean God can't save him because He can); he is wasteful and extravagant and pours out his substance on personal pleasure; he destroys his substance and in the end ruins himself. One who is ásotos is the old English scatterling , the Scots ne’er-do-well , the modern waster . Aristotle who always described a virtue as the mean between two extremes, declares that on the one hand there is stinginess, on the other there is asotia , reckless and selfish extravagance, and the relevant virtue is liberality. The household of the elder must never be guilty of the bad example of reckless spending on personal pleasure. (Barclay, W: The Daily Study Bible Series. The Westminster Press or Logos) MacArthur sums up this section observing that if you want to find out if a man is qualified for leadership in the church, look first at his influence on his own children. If you want to know if he is able to lead the unsaved to faith in Christ and to help them grow in obedience and holiness, simply examine the effectiveness of his efforts with his own children. (MacArthur. Titus: Moody Press or Logos)