the Third Week of Advent
free while helping to build churches and support pastors in Uganda.
Click here to learn more!
Bible Dictionaries
Unclean
Vine's Expository Dictionary of NT Words
"unclean, impure" (a, negative, kathairo, "to purify"), is used (a) of "unclean" spirits, frequently in the Synoptists, not in John's gospel; in Acts 5:16; 8:7; Revelation 16:13; 18:2 (in the 2nd clause the birds are apparently figurative of destructive satanic agencies); (b) ceremonially, Acts 10:14,28; 11:8; 1 Corinthians 7:14; (c) morally, 2 Corinthians 6:17 , including (b), RV; "no unclean thing;" Ephesians 5:5; Revelation 17:4 , RV, "the unclean things" (AV follows the text which have the noun akathartes, "the filthiness").
"common," is translated "unclean" in Romans 14:14 (thrice); in Revelation 21:27 , RV (AV, "that defileth," follows the inferior texts which have the verb koinoo: see B). See COMMON , DEFILE , C, UNHOLY , No. 2.
to make koinos, "to defile," is translated "unclean" in Hebrews 9:13 , AV, where the perfect participle, Passive, is used with the article, hence the RV, "them that have been defiled." See DEFILE , A, No. 1.
akin to A, No. 1, denotes "uncleanness," (a) physical, Matthew 23:27 (instances in the papyri speak of tenants keeping houses in good condition); (b) moral, Romans 1:24; 6:19; 2 Corinthians 12:21; Galatians 5:19; Ephesians 4:19; 5:3; Colossians 3:5; 1 Thessalonians 2:3 (suggestive of the fact that sensuality and evil doctrine are frequently associated); 4:7.
Note: In 2 Peter 2:10 , AV, miasmos, "a defilement," is rendered "uncleanness;" see DEFILEMENT , B, No. 2.These files are public domain.
Vines, W. E., M. A. Entry for 'Unclean'. Vine's Expository Dictionary of NT Words. https://www.studylight.org/​dictionaries/​eng/​ved/​u/unclean.html. 1940.