Brief Overview of ἀκαθαρσία (G167)

The Greek word ἀκαθαρσία (akatharsía) means “uncleanness” or “impurity.” It is used to describe moral or ceremonial defilement and impurity, often in a religious or ethical context. The term can refer to both physical and spiritual impurity, indicating a state of being unclean or defiled, either in a literal or metaphorical sense.

Detailed Overview

1. Strong’s Concordance:

• G167 ἀκαθαρσία (akatharsía): Strong’s defines this term as “uncleanness” or “impurity.” It describes a state of being defiled or unclean, which can refer to physical dirtiness or, more commonly, to moral or spiritual impurity. The term is used in passages like Ephesians 5:3 and Colossians 3:5 to denote moral impurity, emphasizing behaviors or attitudes that are considered morally corrupt or unclean.

1. Thayer’s Greek Lexicon:

• According to Thayer’s, ἀκαθαρσία means “uncleanness” or “impurity,” with a focus on moral or ceremonial defilement. Thayer’s explains that the term is used to describe a state of being impure or defiled, often in a religious or ethical context. It covers both physical and moral aspects of impurity, indicating a broader concept of being unclean in terms of personal behavior and spiritual condition. The lexicon highlights its use in the New Testament to describe various forms of moral corruption.

1. Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB) Lexicon:

• BDB does not specifically cover ἀκαθαρσία, but related lexical studies indicate that it refers to “uncleanness” or “impurity,” often with a focus on moral or ceremonial contexts. The term implies a state of being defiled or corrupt, whether physically, morally, or spiritually. It emphasizes the idea of being unclean in both literal and figurative senses.

1. Liddell-Scott-Jones (LSJ) Greek-English Lexicon:

• The LSJ Lexicon defines ἀκαθαρσία as “uncleanness” or “impurity.” It describes the term’s use to indicate both physical and moral defilement, covering aspects of being unclean or impure. The lexicon notes that ἀκαθαρσία is applied in various contexts, including moral and ceremonial impurity, and can refer to both tangible and intangible forms of defilement.

In summary, ἀκαθαρσία refers to a state of “uncleanness” or “impurity,” encompassing both physical and moral aspects of being defiled. The term is used to describe conditions of being unclean or impure, whether in a literal or figurative sense, with a strong emphasis on moral and spiritual impurity.