Lexical Summary miainó: To stain, defile, pollute Original Word: μιαίνω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance defile. Perhaps a primary verb; to sully or taint, i.e. Contaminate (ceremonially or morally) -- defile. HELPS Word-studies 3392 miaínō – properly, to stain (with paint or dye); (figuratively) to stain (defile) the soul, i.e. like when sin taints by its polluting effects ("moral, spiritual stains"). The root mia- ("tainted at the source") shows everything passing through it also becomes stained ("reconstituted," polluted). [3392 (miaínō) literally means "to dye, stain with color." Figuratively, it refers to rendering something morally (spiritually) defiled.] NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. verb Definition to stain, defile NASB Translation defile (1), defiled (4). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 3392: μιαίνωμιαίνω; passive, 1 aorist subjunctive 3 person plural μιανθῶσιν; perfect 3 person singular μεμίανται (unless it be better to take this form as a plural; cf. Krüger, § 33, 3 Anm. 9; Alexander Buttmann (1873) Gram. § 101 Anm. 7; Ausf. Spr. § 101 Anm. 13; Buttmann, 41 (36); (Winer's Grammar, § 58, 6 b. β.)), participle μεμιασμενος (Titus 1:15 R G) and μειαμμενος (ibid. L T Tr WH; also Wis. 7:25; Tobit 2:9; Josephus, b. j. 4, 5, 2 edition, Bekker; cf. Matthiae, i., p. 415; Krüger, § 40, under the word; Lob. ad Phryn., p. 35; Otto on Theophil. ad Autol. 1, 1, p. 2f; (Veitch, under the word)); from Homer down; 1. to dye with another color, to stain: ἐλέφαντα φοίνικι, Homer Iliad 4, 141. 2. to defile, pollute, sully, contaminate, soil (the Sept. often for טִמֵּא): in a physical and a moral sense, σάρκα (of licentiousness), Jude 1:8; in a moral sense, τόν συνείδησιν, τόν νοῦν, passive Titus 1:15; absolutely, to defile with sin, passive ibid. and in Hebrews 12:15; for הֶחֱטִיא, Deuteronomy 24:6(4); in a ritual sense, of men, passive John 18:28 (Leviticus 22:5, 8; Numbers 19:13, 20; Tobit 2:9). Strong’s Greek 3392 focuses on the idea of pollution or defilement—an uncleanness that is moral, spiritual, or ceremonial. In Scripture it is never a mere external blemish; it points to a condition that renders a person, community, or action unacceptable before the holy presence of God. Occurrences in the New Testament The chief priests “did not enter the Praetorium, so that they would not be defiled, but could eat the Passover”. Here the verb highlights the irony of men scrupulous about ritual purity while conspiring to condemn the sinless Lamb of God. Their concern underscores how easily external religion can mask inner corruption. Titus 1:15 (twice) Paul warns that “to the pure, all things are pure, but to the defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure; in fact, both their mind and conscience are defiled”. The first occurrence describes those whose hearts are already stained; the second shows the ongoing condition of corruption. False teachers turn dietary scruples into legalistic bondage yet remain inwardly polluted. The true issue is not the object touched but the heart within. Believers are urged to watch “that no root of bitterness springs up to cause trouble and defile many”. Defilement here spreads like contamination through the body of Christ when unresolved resentment is tolerated. The text places communal holiness at risk, showing that sin in one member can infect the whole fellowship. Certain dreamers “defile the flesh, reject authority, and slander glorious beings”. Their libertine lifestyles pollute both body and community, linking moral impurity with doctrinal rebellion and irreverence toward the spiritual realm. Old Testament Background Leviticus repeatedly distinguishes the holy from the unclean. Contact with death, disease, or idolatry barred worshipers from sanctuary access until cleansing rites restored them. The Septuagint often uses forms of this same verb to translate such pollution (for example, Leviticus 18:24). The New Testament writers draw on that background, but they shift the emphasis from ceremonial to moral and spiritual truth fulfilled in Christ. Theological Themes 1. Holiness of God: Defilement underscores the absolute separation between God’s purity and human sin. Practical Ministry Applications • Guarding Doctrine: Titus shows that distorted teaching defiles conscience. Sound doctrine is vital to moral purity. Related Concepts – Purity of Heart (Matthew 5:8) – Conscience Cleansed by Christ (Hebrews 9:14) – Separating from Worldly Pollution (2 Corinthians 7:1) The five New Testament uses of Strong’s 3392 thus provide a concise yet profound testimony: only through the sanctifying work of the Lord Jesus Christ can defiled minds, consciences, and communities be made pure, empowering believers to “serve the living God” in holiness and truth. Englishman's Concordance John 18:28 V-ASP-3PGRK: ἵνα μὴ μιανθῶσιν ἀλλὰ φάγωσιν NAS: so that they would not be defiled, but might eat KJV: lest they should be defiled; but INT: that not they might be stained but they might eat Titus 1:15 V-RPM/P-DMP Titus 1:15 V-RIM/P-3S Hebrews 12:15 V-ASP-3P Jude 1:8 V-PIA-3P Strong's Greek 3392 |
    |