Definition and Context
Purging, in a biblical context, refers to the act of cleansing, purifying, or removing impurities, often in a spiritual or moral sense. It is a process by which God refines and sanctifies His people, removing sin and unrighteousness to make them holy and acceptable in His sight. The concept of purging is closely associated with themes of repentance, sanctification, and divine discipline.

Old Testament References
In the Old Testament, purging is often linked to the purification rituals and sacrifices prescribed in the Mosaic Law. For instance, the purification of the altar and the sanctuary involved specific offerings to cleanse them from the defilement of sin (Leviticus 16:19). The prophet Isaiah speaks of purging in a metaphorical sense, describing how God will cleanse His people: "I will turn My hand against you; I will thoroughly purge your dross; I will remove all your impurities" (Isaiah 1:25).

The process of purging is also illustrated in the refining of metals, a common metaphor for God's sanctifying work. Malachi 3:3 states, "He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; He will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver. Then they will present offerings to the LORD in righteousness" .

New Testament References
In the New Testament, purging takes on a more personal and spiritual dimension. Jesus speaks of purging in the context of His relationship with His followers. In John 15:2, He says, "He cuts off every branch in Me that bears no fruit, and every branch that does bear fruit He prunes, so that it will be even more fruitful" . Here, purging is depicted as a divine pruning process, essential for spiritual growth and fruitfulness.

The Apostle Paul also addresses the concept of purging in his letters. In 2 Timothy 2:21, he writes, "If a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will be an instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master, and prepared to do any good work" . This passage emphasizes the believer's responsibility to participate in the purging process by turning away from sin and pursuing holiness.

Theological Significance
Purging is a vital aspect of the believer's sanctification, the process by which God transforms His people into the image of Christ. It involves both divine initiative and human response. God, as the divine refiner, uses various means, including trials, discipline, and the convicting work of the Holy Spirit, to purge His people of sin and impurity. Believers are called to cooperate with this process by confessing their sins, seeking God's forgiveness, and striving to live in obedience to His Word.

The purging process is not only about removing sin but also about preparing believers for service in God's kingdom. As they are purified, they become vessels of honor, equipped and ready for every good work. This transformative work is ultimately aimed at glorifying God and advancing His purposes in the world.

Practical Implications
For Christians, understanding the concept of purging is essential for spiritual growth and maturity. It encourages believers to embrace God's refining work, even when it involves trials and challenges. By submitting to God's purging process, believers can experience deeper fellowship with Him and become more effective witnesses of His grace and truth.

Purging also serves as a reminder of the seriousness of sin and the need for continual repentance and renewal. It calls believers to examine their lives regularly, confess their sins, and seek God's cleansing power through the blood of Christ. As they do so, they can experience the joy and freedom that come from living a life that is pleasing to God.1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Purge.

2. (a.) That purges; cleansing.

3. (n.) The act of cleansing; excessive evacuations; especially, diarrhea.

The Story of the Purging of the Temple Spiritualized. Taken ...
... Tenth Book. 16. The Story of the Purging of the Temple Spiritualized. Taken Literally,
It Presents Some Very Difficult and Unlikely Features. ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of john/16 the story of the.htm

Various views of Heracleon on Purging of the Temple.
... Tenth Book. 19. Various Views of Heracleon on Purging of the Temple. Let
us see what Heracleon makes of this. He says that the ascent ...
/.../origens commentary on the gospel of john/19 various views of heracleon.htm

The vine and the Branches
... "Every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit."
This purging is another process quite contrary to nature, for the term ...
//christianbookshelf.org/byers/sanctification/chapter x the vine and.htm

How to Make Use of Christ for Cleansing of us from Our Daily Spots ...
... holy. As to the first, for the purging away of the filth of our daily failings
and transgressions, Christ has done these things: ...
/.../brown/christ the way the truth and the life/chapter ix how to make.htm

Josiah
... The two incidents which the passage narrates, the purging of the land and the repair
of the Temple, are told in inverted order in 2 Kings, but the order here ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/josiah.htm

Chapter xxxix
... He personally stood in need of a measure of purging, for he, too, had an
admixture of pride in his disposition. After being himself ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxxix.htm

It Might Perhaps have Been Sufficient, that after the Reasons have ...
... And so, as it is foolish to love the portions which require purging in the fruitful
branch, while he acts wisely who does not reject the sweet fruit wherever ...
/.../writings in connection with the donatist controversy /chapter 1 1 it.htm

Easter Sunday
... 13. Note the apostle's peculiar words. He enjoins purging out the old leaven,
assigning as reason the fact: Ye are a new and unleavened lump. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/luther/epistle sermons vol ii/easter sunday.htm

Texts Explained; Thirdly...
... Name than they [2152] .' It appears then that the Apostle's words make mention of
that time, when God spoke unto us by His Son, and when a purging of sins took ...
/.../select works and letters or athanasius/chapter xiii texts explained thirdly.htm

John xiv. 31; xv. 1
... But still the "purging" also hath been shown to belong to the Son, and the
"abiding in the root," to the Father, who also begat the Root. ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily lxxvi john xiv 31.htm

Purging (3 Occurrences)
...Purging (3 Occurrences). Mark 7:19 Because it entereth not into his heart, but into
the belly, and goeth out into the draught, purging all meats? (KJV DBY WBS). ...
/p/purging.htm - 7k

Purification (25 Occurrences)

/p/purification.htm - 18k

Tin (6 Occurrences)
... 22). The fire of the Babylonish Captivity would be the means of purging out the
idolatrous alloy that had corrupted the people. Noah Webster's Dictionary. ...
/t/tin.htm - 10k

Entereth (40 Occurrences)
... Mark 7:19 Because it entereth not into his heart, but into the belly, and
goeth out into the draught, purging all meats? (KJV WBS). ...
/e/entereth.htm - 18k

Drench (4 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) A drink; a draught; specifically, a potion of medicine poured or
forced down the throat; also, a potion that causes purging. ...
/d/drench.htm - 8k

Draught (8 Occurrences)
... (KJV ASV DBY WBS). Mark 7:19 Because it entereth not into his heart, but into the
belly, and goeth out into the draught, purging all meats? (KJV ASV DBY WBS). ...
/d/draught.htm - 11k

Dedication (16 Occurrences)
... It was instituted BC 164 to commemorate the purging of the temple after its pollution
by Antiochus Epiphanes (BC 167), and the rebuilding of the altar after ...
/d/dedication.htm - 15k

Meats (9 Occurrences)
... Meats (9 Occurrences). Mark 7:19 Because it entereth not into his heart, but into
the belly, and goeth out into the draught, purging all meats? ...
/m/meats.htm - 11k

Purgeth (1 Occurrence)

/p/purgeth.htm - 6k

Purge (35 Occurrences)
... 9. (vi) To have or produce frequent evacuations from the intestines, as
by means of a cathartic. 10. (n.) The act of purging. 11. ...
/p/purge.htm - 22k

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