Lexical Summary ekkathairó: To cleanse thoroughly, to purge, to purify Original Word: ἐκκαθαίρω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance purge out. From ek and kathairo; to cleanse thoroughly -- purge (out). see GREEK ek see GREEK kathairo HELPS Word-studies 1571 ekkathaírō (from 1537 /ek, "completely out" and 2513 /katharós, "purge, cleanse") – "cleanse out, clean thoroughly" (J. Thayer) with the outcome of deeper sanctification. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom ek and kathairó Definition to cleanse thoroughly NASB Translation clean (1), cleanses (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 1571: ἐκκαθαίρωἐκκαθαίρω: 1 aorist ἐξεκάθαρα (on the ἆ cf. Buttmann, 41 (35)); (ἐκ either equivalent to utterly or for ἐκ τίνος); in Greek writings from Homer, Iliad 2, 153 down; to cleanse out, clean thoroughly: ἐμαυτόν ἀπό τίνος, to avoid defilement from one and so keep oneself pure, 2 Timothy 2:21; with the accusative of the thing by the removal of which something is made clean (A. V. purge out), 1 Corinthians 5:7. (For צָרַף equivalent to to cleanse, Judges 7:4 variant; for בִּעֵר equivalent to to take away, Deuteronomy 26:13.) Topical Lexicon Greek 1571 – ἐκκαθαίρω Overview This verb depicts an intentional and exhaustive cleansing, a deliberate removal of every corrupting element. It appears twice in the New Testament and, in each case, serves as a summons to decisive action that preserves holiness within the people of God. Old Testament antecedents The concept is foreshadowed in Passover preparations: “For seven days no yeast is to be found in your houses” (Exodus 12:19). Removing leaven illustrated the removal of sin from the covenant community. King Hezekiah’s reforms likewise involved “cleansing the house of the Lord” (2 Chronicles 29:16), an act that re-established pure worship. These earlier purges inform the New Testament calls that employ ἐκκαθαίρω. Usage in the New Testament Paul addresses toleration of immorality in Corinth: “Get rid of the old yeast, so that you may be a new unleavened batch, as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.” Writing near the end of his ministry, Paul urges personal vigilance: “So if anyone cleanses himself of what is unfit, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, and prepared for every good work.” Theological themes Purity and Identity Both references root cleansing in the believer’s position—unleavened in Christ and set apart for the Master. Holiness is never mere avoidance; it is the lived expression of what God has already made His people to be. Corporate and Personal Dimensions The word holds together two arenas of sanctification. Congregations must guard the flock (1 Corinthians 5:13), while individuals must guard their hearts (2 Timothy 2:22). Neither sphere substitutes for the other. Preparedness for Service Cleansing is not an end in itself. It equips believers for “every good work,” echoing Titus 2:14, where Christ “purifies for Himself a people… eager to do good.” Passover Fulfillment Paul’s deliberate Passover language in 1 Corinthians ties the thorough removal of sin to the once-for-all sacrifice of Christ, establishing a theological foundation for ongoing moral purification (Hebrews 10:14). Application to corporate church life • Church discipline protects the testimony of the gospel. Application to personal discipleship • Believers actively “flee from youthful passions” (2 Timothy 2:22) while relying on grace (Titus 2:11-12). Historical reception Early church fathers cited 1 Corinthians 5 to defend exclusion of unrepentant members. During the Reformation, the passage shaped teaching on church purity and the Lord’s Supper. In pastoral manuals, 2 Timothy 2:21 became a key text on ministerial qualifications, emphasizing character over mere gifting. Present-day significance In an era that often prizes tolerance above truth, ἐκκαθαίρω reminds the church that love “does not rejoice in unrighteousness but rejoices in the truth” (1 Corinthians 13:6). The call to thorough cleansing—both communal and personal—remains essential for credible witness and fruitful ministry. Forms and Transliterations εκκαθαρατε εκκαθάρατε ἐκκαθάρατε εκκαθαρη εκκαθάρη ἐκκαθάρῃ εκκαθαριεί εκκαθαριείς εκκάθαρον εκκαίδεκα εκκαιδεκάτη εκκαιδέκατος εξεκάθαρα ekkatharate ekkathárate ekkathare ekkatharē ekkathárei ekkathárēiLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 1 Corinthians 5:7 V-AMA-2PGRK: ἐκκαθάρατε τὴν παλαιὰν NAS: Clean out the old leaven KJV: Purge out therefore the old INT: cleanse out the old 2 Timothy 2:21 V-ASA-3S Strong's Greek 1571 |
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