3394. miasmos
Lexical Summary
miasmos: corrupt

Original Word: μιασμός
Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine
Transliteration: miasmos
Pronunciation: mee-as-MOS
Phonetic Spelling: (mee-as-mos')
KJV: uncleanness
NASB: corrupt
Word Origin: [from G3392 (μιαίνω - defiled)]

1. (morally) contamination (properly, the act)

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
uncleanness, contamination

From miaino; (morally) contamination (properly, the act) -- uncleanness.

see GREEK miaino

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from miainó
Definition
the act of defiling
NASB Translation
corrupt (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 3394: μιασμός

μιασμός, μιασμοῦ, (μιαίνω), the act of defiling, defilement, pollution: ἐπιθυμία μιασμοῦ, defiling lust (Winer's Grammar, § 34, 3 b.), 2 Peter 2:10. (Wis. 14:26; 1 Macc. 4:43; Plutarch, mor., p. 393 c.; Test xii. Patr. (test. Lev. 17; test. Benj. 8; Graecus Venetus (passim); Hermas, Past. sim. 5, 7, 2 [ET]).)

Topical Lexicon
Overview

μίασμος portrays moral pollution—an inner stain that inevitably issues in outward rebellion against God. Though rare in the New Testament, its single use in 2 Peter displays the full weight of the biblical doctrine of defilement and its consequences.

Old Testament Roots of Defilement

• Ceremonial uncleanness: Leviticus 11; Leviticus 15; Numbers 19.
• Moral uncleanness: Isaiah 64:6; Ezekiel 20:7; Hosea 5:3.

These passages show that ritual impurity was always a signpost pointing to deeper spiritual realities: sin alienates, stains, and requires cleansing.

Occurrence in 2 Peter

“Such punishment is especially reserved for those who follow the corrupt desire of the flesh and despise authority” (2 Peter 2:10).

μίασμος is rendered “corrupt desire,” exposing how false teachers are driven by appetites that are themselves polluted. The context (2 Peter 2:1-22) links defilement with:

1. Sexual immorality (2 Peter 2:14).
2. Greed (2 Peter 2:3).
3. Blasphemy against heavenly beings (2 Peter 2:10-11).

The word anchors Peter’s warning that doctrinal error and moral pollution are inseparable.

Historical and Cultural Background

In Hellenistic usage μίασμος signified contamination from sacrilege or blood-guilt. Jewish literature of the Second Temple era expanded it to idolatry and Gentile customs (Wisdom of Solomon 14:8-10). Peter writes against that backdrop, asserting that the church must remain separate from such corruption.

Theological Significance

• Holiness of God: He is “of purer eyes than to behold evil” (Habakkuk 1:13).
• Depth of Sin: Defilement resides in desire (James 1:14-15), proving humanity’s need for regeneration.
• Divine Judgment: God “knows how to rescue the godly from trials and to hold the unrighteous for punishment” (2 Peter 2:9).
• Cleansing in Christ: “The blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin” (1 John 1:7).

Relation to Other New Testament Terms

φθορά (corruption) – Galatians 6:8.

ἀκαθαρσία (uncleanness) – 1 Thessalonians 4:7.

μίανσις (defilement) – Mark 7:23.

Together they depict sin as both guilt and grime, requiring atonement and purification.

Practical Implications for Believers

1. Guard Desires: Purity begins in the heart (Proverbs 4:23; Philippians 4:8).
2. Maintain Sound Doctrine: Error spreads defilement (2 Timothy 2:17-18).
3. Exercise Discipline: Persistent pollution endangers the whole body (1 Corinthians 5:6-7).
4. Trust Christ’s Cleansing: Sanctification is Spirit-empowered (Hebrews 9:14; Titus 3:5).

Ministerial Applications

• Teach holiness without legalism, rooting it in the gospel.
• Model submission to God-ordained authority.
• Expose doctrines that license sin.
• Offer hope of cleansing to repentant sinners.

Summary

Strong’s Greek 3394 concentrates the Bible’s teaching on sin’s defiling power: inner corruption that expresses itself in doctrinal and moral rebellion. Peter’s lone use crystallizes a timeless call—flee pollution, cling to Christ, and pursue the holiness that befits the redeemed.

Forms and Transliterations
μιασμου μιασμού μιασμοῦ miasmou miasmoû
Links
Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
2 Peter 2:10 N-GMS
GRK: ἐν ἐπιθυμίᾳ μιασμοῦ πορευομένους καὶ
NAS: the flesh in [its] corrupt desires
KJV: the lust of uncleanness, and
INT: in [the] lust of pollution walk and

Strong's Greek 3394
1 Occurrence


μιασμοῦ — 1 Occ.

3393
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