In biblical terminology, "pollutions" often refer to impurities or defilements that are both physical and spiritual in nature. The concept of pollution is significant in understanding the biblical perspective on holiness, purity, and the separation from sin and idolatry.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, pollution is frequently associated with ceremonial uncleanness and idolatry. The Law of Moses contains numerous regulations concerning what is considered clean and unclean, emphasizing the importance of purity in worship and daily life. For instance, Leviticus 11 outlines dietary laws that distinguish between clean and unclean animals, thereby preventing the pollution of the Israelites through consumption of forbidden foods.

Pollution is also linked to idolatry and the worship of false gods. In Ezekiel 20:7, God commands the Israelites: "And I said to them, ‘Each of you must throw away the abominations before his eyes, and not defile yourselves with the idols of Egypt. I am the LORD your God.’" Here, pollution is not merely physical but spiritual, as it involves the heart's allegiance to God versus idols.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the concept of pollution extends to moral and spiritual defilement. The early church grappled with the issue of Gentile converts and the extent to which they should adhere to Jewish ceremonial laws. In Acts 15:20, the Jerusalem Council advises Gentile believers to abstain from "the pollutions of idols, from sexual immorality, from the meat of strangled animals, and from blood." This directive underscores the importance of maintaining spiritual purity and avoiding practices associated with pagan worship.

The Apostle Paul also addresses pollution in a moral sense, urging believers to live holy lives. In 2 Corinthians 7:1, he writes, "Therefore, beloved, since we have these promises, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that defiles body and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God." Here, pollution is understood as anything that corrupts the believer's body or spirit, emphasizing the call to holiness.

Spiritual Implications

The biblical concept of pollution is deeply tied to the idea of holiness and the believer's relationship with God. Spiritual pollution occurs when individuals engage in practices or hold beliefs that are contrary to God's commands. This can include idolatry, immorality, and other forms of sin that separate individuals from God.

The call to avoid pollution is a call to live a life set apart for God, reflecting His holiness and purity. Believers are encouraged to examine their lives, reject sin, and pursue righteousness, thereby maintaining a pure and undefiled relationship with God.

Conclusion

While the Bible addresses pollution in various contexts, the overarching theme is the call to holiness and separation from sin. Whether through adherence to dietary laws, avoidance of idolatry, or moral purity, the biblical narrative consistently emphasizes the importance of living a life that honors God and reflects His holiness.

How to Make Use of Christ for Cleansing of us from Our Daily Spots ...
... Secondly, As to the way of our use-making of Christ for the purging away of our
filth and daily pollutions, believers would take this course: ...
/.../brown/christ the way the truth and the life/chapter ix how to make.htm

A Summary of the Christian Life. Of Self-Denial.
... due. Next follows godliness, which separates us from the pollutions of the
world, and connects us with God in true holiness. These ...
/.../sergieff/on the christian life/chapter ii a summary of.htm

Introductory Note to Clement of Alexandria
... he proceeds to dictate, even in minute details, the transformations to which the
faithful must subject themselves in order "to escape the pollutions of the ...
/.../clement/exhortation to the heathen/introductory note to clement of.htm

A Summary of the Christian Life. Of Self-Denial.
... due. Next follows godliness, which separates us from the pollutions of the
world, and connects us with God in true holiness. These ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 7 a summary of.htm

Perseverance of Saints.
... For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world, through the knowledge
of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein and ...
/.../finney/systematic theology/lecture li perseverance of saints.htm

The Council of Jerusalem.
... is, that we trouble not them which from among the Gentiles are turned to God; but
that we write unto them, that they abstain from all pollutions of idols, and ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture xvi the council of.htm

Acts XV
... (19) Therefore, my judgment is, not to trouble those of the Gentiles who turn to
God; (20) but to write to them that they abstain from the pollutions of idols. ...
/.../mcgarvey/a commentary on acts of the apostles/acts xv.htm

"Wash You, Make You Clean; Put Away the Evil of Your Doings from ...
... Should I, that am dead to sin, live any longer therein? Romans 6:2. Should I who
am washed from such pollutions, return again to the pollutions of the world? ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon xi wash you make.htm

About the Dragon and the Young Man.
... and Father"Father not only of the souls that are in bodies, but also of those that
have gone out of them; for of the souls that are in pollutions Thou art ...
/.../unknown/acts of the holy apostle thomas/about the dragon and the.htm

Vision Second. Again, of his Neglect in Chastising his Talkative ...
... profit. And even now they have added to their sins lusts and iniquitous
pollutions, and thus their iniquities have been filled up. ...
/.../pastor/the pastor books first second third/vision second again of his.htm

Pollutions (4 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Pollutions (4 Occurrences). Acts 15:20 But that
we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of ...
/p/pollutions.htm - 7k

Pollution (5 Occurrences)
... The phrase in Acts 15:20, "the pollutions of idols," is explained in 15:29 by "things
sacrificed (the King James Version "meats offered") to idols.". ...
/p/pollution.htm - 8k

Escaping (13 Occurrences)
... 2 Peter 2:20 For if, after escaping from the pollutions of the world through a full
knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, people are once more ...
/e/escaping.htm - 10k

Overpowered (12 Occurrences)
... (DBY). 2 Peter 2:20 for, if having escaped from the pollutions of the world, in
the acknowledging of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, and by these again being ...
/o/overpowered.htm - 10k

Latter (91 Occurrences)
... 2 Peter 2:20 For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through
the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled ...
/l/latter.htm - 34k

Lewdness (68 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). Acts 15:20 But that we write to them that they abstain from pollutions
of idols, and from lewdness, and from things strangled, and from blood. (WBS). ...
/l/lewdness.htm - 29k

Whoredom (58 Occurrences)
... Acts 15:20 but to write to them to abstain from the pollutions of the idols, and
the whoredom, and the strangled thing; and the blood; (YLT). ...
/w/whoredom.htm - 24k

Fornication (52 Occurrences)
... Acts 15:20 But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols,
and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood. ...
/f/fornication.htm - 24k

Pollux (1 Occurrence)

/p/pollux.htm - 7k

Acknowledging (7 Occurrences)
... 2 Peter 2:20 for, if having escaped from the pollutions of the world, in the
acknowledging of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, and by these again being ...
/a/acknowledging.htm - 8k

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