Unclean

New Testament

Vine's Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words

Definition

A-1akathartosAdjectiveG169

"unclean, impure" (a, negative, kathairo, "to purify"), is used (a) of "unclean" spirits, frequently in the Synoptists, not in John's gospel; in Act 5:16, Act 8:7, Rev 16:13, Rev 18:2 (in the 2nd clause the birds are apparently figurative of destructive satanic agencies); (b) ceremonially, Act 10:14, Act 10:28, Act 11:8, 1Co 7:14; (c) morally, 2Co 6:17, including (b), RV; "no unclean thing;" Eph 5:5, Rev 17:4, RV, "the unclean things" (AV follows the text which have the noun akathartes, "the filthiness").

A-2koinosAdjectiveG2839

"common," is translated "unclean" in Rom 14:14 (thrice); in Rev 21:27, RV (AV, "that defileth," follows the inferior texts which have the verb koinoo: see B). See COMMON, DEFILE, C, UNHOLY, No. 2.

B-1koinooVerbG2840

to make koinos, "to defile," is translated "unclean" in Heb 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.

C-1akatharsiaNounG167

akin to A, No. 1, denotes "uncleanness," (a) physical, Mat 23:27 (instances in the papyri speak of tenants keeping houses in good condition); (b) moral, Rom 1:24, Rom 6:19, 2Co 12:21, Gal 5:19, Eph 4:19, Eph 5:3, Col 3:5, 1Th 2:3 (suggestive of the fact that sensuality and evil doctrine are frequently associated); 1Th 4:7.

Note: In 2Pe 2:10, AV, miasmos, "a defilement," is rendered "uncleanness;" see DEFILEMENT, B, No. 2.