Pronunciation Guide: ah-kath-ar-SEE-ah

Basic Definition

Strong’s G167: ἀκαθαρσία refers to a state of moral and spiritual uncleanness, particularly emphasizing physical, moral, and spiritual impurity. It describes both ceremonial defilement and moral corruption in thought, word, or deed. The word carries a strong connotation of that which is repulsive to God’s holy nature and incompatible with His presence.

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Etymology and Morphology

• Part of Speech: Feminine Noun
• Root Word: Compound of ἀ- (negative prefix) and καθαρός (clean, pure)
• Language Origin: Koine Greek
• Primary Usage: Ethical and moral teaching contexts, often in vice lists
• Literary Genre: Primarily found in epistolary literature and teaching passages

ἀκαθαρσία Morphology:

• ἀκαθαρσία (nominative singular) – uncleanness
• ἀκαθαρσίας (genitive singular) – of uncleanness
• ἀκαθαρσίᾳ (dative singular) – in/with uncleanness
• ἀκαθαρσίαν (accusative singular) – uncleanness (direct object)

Origin & History

The concept of ἀκαθαρσία has deep roots in ancient Greek culture and literature. In classical Greek texts, it primarily referred to physical dirt or filth. Hippocrates used the term in his medical writings to describe bodily impurities and infections that needed cleansing.

In the Hellenistic period, the word developed stronger moral connotations. Greek philosophers, particularly the Stoics, began using ἀκαθαρσία metaphorically to describe ethical and spiritual pollution. This semantic development set the stage for its rich theological usage in biblical literature.

Expanded Definitions & Translation Options

• Physical uncleanness or filth
• Moral impurity or corruption
• Ceremonial defilement
• Sexual immorality
• Spiritual contamination

ἀκαθαρσία Translation Options:

• Uncleanness – Best captures both physical and moral aspects
• Impurity – Emphasizes the moral/spiritual dimension
• Moral corruption – Highlights ethical implications
• Filthiness – Stronger term emphasizing repugnant nature
• Defilement – Emphasizes ceremonial/religious implications

Biblical Usage

In the New Testament, ἀκαθαρσία appears primarily in Paul’s epistles, where it frequently occurs in vice lists describing behaviors incompatible with the holy life God desires for His people. The term carries both ritual and moral significance, though the moral aspect predominates in New Testament usage.

The word’s first appearance in Matthew 23:27 provides a powerful metaphor where Jesus compares hypocritical religious leaders to whitewashed tombs full of uncleanness. This usage bridges the physical and spiritual dimensions of impurity.

• “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead men’s bones and all [ἀκαθαρσίας] uncleanness.” Matthew 23:27
• “For God has not called us to [ἀκαθαρσίᾳ] impurity but in holiness.” 1 Thessalonians 4:7
• “For this reason God gave them over to degrading passions… being filled with all [ἀκαθαρσίᾳ] uncleanness.” Romans 1:26-29
• “Therefore God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts to [ἀκαθαρσίαν] impurity.” Romans 1:24
• “But immorality or any [ἀκαθαρσία] impurity or greed must not even be named among you.” Ephesians 5:3

Cultural Insights

In ancient Jewish culture, the concept of uncleanness was intricately connected to the temple worship system. The requirements for ritual purity shaped daily life, from food preparation to social interactions. This background illuminates Jesus’s use of ἀκαθαρσία in His critique of the religious leaders, highlighting their preoccupation with external cleanliness while neglecting internal purity.

The Greco-Roman world of the first century was marked by various mystery cults and philosophical schools that emphasized ritual purification. Paul’s use of ἀκαθαρσία would have resonated with both Jewish and Gentile audiences, though he consistently emphasized its moral rather than merely ceremonial significance.

Theological Significance

The concept of ἀκαθαρσία serves as a powerful contrast to God’s holiness and the moral purity He desires in His people. It represents not just individual acts of sin but a state of being that is incompatible with God’s presence and purpose for human life.

This term plays a crucial role in understanding the transformative work of the Holy Spirit in believers’ lives. The New Testament presents salvation as not merely forgiveness of sins but a fundamental cleansing from ἀκαθαρσία, enabling believers to live in fellowship with a holy God.

The use of ἀκαθαρσία in biblical texts underscores the radical nature of Christian conversion – moving from a state of moral and spiritual impurity to one of progressive sanctification through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Personal Application

Understanding ἀκαθαρσία challenges believers to examine their lives not just for obvious external sins but for subtle forms of moral and spiritual impurity that can hinder their relationship with God. It calls for regular self-examination and dependence on the Holy Spirit’s sanctifying work.

This word reminds us that holiness is not merely about following rules but about maintaining a pure heart that reflects God’s character. It encourages believers to pursue purity in thoughts, motives, and actions, recognizing that true cleansing comes through Christ’s work and the Spirit’s ongoing sanctification.

Related Words

• καθαρός (katharos) – clean, pure, undefiled See G2513
• ἁγιασμός (hagiasmos) – sanctification, holiness See G38
• μιαίνω (miaino) – to defile, contaminate See G3392
• μολύνω (moluno) – to soil, contaminate, defile See G3435
• ῥυπαρία (rhuparia) – filthiness, moral defilement See G4507

Did you Know?

• The word ἀκαθαρσία appears in ancient Greek medical texts describing physical infections, showing how the biblical authors adapted a medical term to describe spiritual condition.
• In modern Greek, ακαθαρσία still retains both its physical and moral connotations, being used for both literal garbage and moral corruption.
• The concept of ἀκαθαρσία in Jewish thought was so serious that someone in a state of ritual uncleanness was temporarily excluded from both temple worship and normal social interactions.

Remember This

ἀκαθαρσία stands as a powerful reminder that God’s holiness demands not just external compliance but internal transformation, making the gospel’s promise of cleansing through Christ all the more precious.