Lexical Summary kulismos: Rolling, wallowing Original Word: κυλισμός Strong's Exhaustive Concordance wallowing, rollingFrom kulioo; a wallow (the effect of rolling), i.e. Filth -- wallowing. see GREEK kulioo NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom kulió Definition a rolling NASB Translation wallowing (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 2946: κύλισμακύλισμα, κυλισματος, τό (κυλίω, which see), thing rolled: with epexegetical genitive βορβόρου, rolled (wallowed) mud or mire, 2 Peter 2:22 (R G L Tr marginal reading). The great majority take the word to mean 'wallowing-place', as if it were the same as κυλίστρα (Vulg.in volutabro luti). But just as τό ἐξέραμα signifies the vomit, thing vomited, and not the place of vomiting; so τό κύλισμα denotes nothing else than the thing rolled or wallowed. But see (the following word, and) βόρβορος. STRONGS NT 2946: κυλισμόςκυλισμός, κυλισμου, ὁ, equivalent to κυλισις, a rolling, wallowing (Hippiatr., p. 204, 4; (cf. Proverbs 2:18 Theod.)): εἰς κυλισμμον βορβόρου, to a rolling of itself in mud (to wallowing in the mire), 2 Peter 2:22 T Tr text WH. See the preceding word. In the agrarian Mediterranean world, the sight of swine plunging back into mud after rinsing was common. The action conveys self-chosen defilement: an unclean creature indulging its nature despite a momentary cleansing. Because swine were ceremonially unclean under the Law (Leviticus 11:7), the picture intensifies the offense; it is not mere dirt but covenantal impurity. Biblical Occurrence 2 Peter 2:22 concludes Peter’s denunciation of false teachers: “A sow that is washed returns to her wallowing in the mire.” The phrase underscores the difference between transient external reform and the inward renewal promised in the gospel (Ezekiel 36:26; Titus 3:5). Theological Significance 1. Nature versus nurture: The sow’s unchanged nature explains its behavior; likewise an unregenerate heart will eventually manifest corruption (Matthew 7:18-20). Connections with Old Testament Wisdom Peter couples two proverbs: the dog with its vomit (Proverbs 26:11) and the sow in mire. Together they show that folly is cyclical, returning to its own filth. Historical and Cultural Notes Swine were plentiful in Hellenistic cities but detested by Jews. Early Christians in Asia Minor, surrounded by pagan practices, would see in the sow a stark contrast between superficial cleansing rites and the holiness required by the gospel (2 Corinthians 6:17). Early Church Reception Second-century apologists (e.g., Justin Martyr) cited 2 Peter 2:22 when exposing heretics whose immoral lives betrayed their claims. The imagery became standard in catechesis, stressing that baptismal vows must issue in persevering obedience. Implications for Preaching and Pastoral Care • Discernment: Congregations must test teachers by their fruit, not merely words (Matthew 7:15). Practical Applications 1. Holiness: Believers are urged to avoid drifting back into patterns Christ has cleansed (2 Peter 3:17). Related Biblical Motifs • Washing and regeneration (Psalm 51:2; Hebrews 10:22) Summary Strong’s Greek 2946 paints a vivid warning: without inner transformation by Christ, the soul inevitably returns to the mire of sin. Its single New Testament usage concentrates this force, challenging the Church to seek authentic conversion, pursue holiness, and guard against teachings that make light of sin’s polluting power. |
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