Topical Encyclopedia In biblical literature, the concept of a "stain" often symbolizes impurity, sin, or moral blemish. The imagery of a stain is used to convey the idea of defilement that affects one's spiritual state and relationship with God. This metaphor is prevalent throughout Scripture, emphasizing the need for purification and redemption.Old Testament References The Old Testament frequently uses the imagery of stains to describe sin and its effects on the people of Israel. In Isaiah 1:18 , the prophet Isaiah conveys God's promise of forgiveness and cleansing: "Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD. Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall become like wool." Here, the stain of sin is depicted as a deep, indelible mark, yet God offers the hope of complete purification. In Levitical law, physical stains, such as those on garments or skin, often represented ceremonial uncleanness. Leviticus 13-14 provides detailed instructions for diagnosing and cleansing leprous diseases, which were seen as physical manifestations of impurity. These laws underscore the importance of holiness and the need to be free from any defilement to approach God. New Testament References The New Testament continues the theme of spiritual stains, emphasizing the cleansing power of Jesus Christ's sacrifice. In Ephesians 5:25-27 , Paul writes about Christ's love for the church: "Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her to sanctify her, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to Himself as a glorious church, without stain or wrinkle or any such blemish, but holy and blameless." This passage highlights the transformative power of Christ's atonement, which removes the stain of sin and presents believers as pure before God. James 1:27 also speaks to the importance of remaining unstained by the world: "Pure and undefiled religion before our God and Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world." Here, the stain represents the corrupting influence of worldly values and behaviors, urging believers to maintain moral and spiritual purity. Theological Implications The concept of a stain in Scripture underscores the pervasive nature of sin and the human need for divine intervention. It illustrates the separation that sin causes between humanity and God, necessitating a means of cleansing and reconciliation. The sacrificial system in the Old Testament foreshadows the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, whose blood cleanses believers from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:7). The imagery of a stain also serves as a call to holiness, urging believers to live lives that reflect the purity and righteousness of Christ. It challenges Christians to examine their lives for areas of moral compromise and to seek God's forgiveness and sanctification continually. In summary, the biblical use of "stain" as a metaphor for sin and impurity highlights the gravity of sin and the profound need for redemption through Jesus Christ. It calls believers to pursue a life of holiness, free from the blemishes of sin, and to rely on the cleansing power of the Gospel. Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary 1. (v. t.) To discolor by the application of foreign matter; to make foul; to spot; as, to stain the hand with dye; armor stained with blood.2. (v. t.) To color, as wood, glass, paper, cloth, or the like, by processes affecting, chemically or otherwise, the material itself; to tinge with a color or colors combining with, or penetrating, the substance; to dye; as, to stain wood with acids, colored washes, paint rubbed in, etc.; to stain glass. 3. (v. t.) To spot with guilt or infamy; to bring reproach on; to blot; to soil; to tarnish. 4. (v. t.) To cause to seem inferior or soiled by comparison. 5. (v. i.) To give or receive a stain; to grow dim. 6. (n.) A discoloration by foreign matter; a spot; as, a stain on a garment or cloth. 7. (n.) A natural spot of a color different from the ground. 8. (n.) Taint of guilt; tarnish; disgrace; reproach. 9. (n.) Cause of reproach; shame. Greek 4695. spiloo -- to stain, defile ... to stain, defile. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: spiloo Phonetic Spelling: (spee-lo'-o) Short Definition: I defile, spot Definition: I defile, spot, stain ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4695.htm - 6k 4696. spilos -- a spot, stain 3392. miaino -- to stain, defile 3393. miasma -- a stain, defilement 3435. moluno -- to stain, defile 784. aspilos -- spotless, unstained 283. amiantos -- undefiled 3436. molusmos -- defilement 911. bapto -- to dip Strong's Hebrew 1351. gaal -- to defile... Word Origin a prim. root Definition to defile NASB Word Usage defile (2), defiled (6), stained (1), unclean (2). defile, pollute, stain. ... /hebrew/1351.htm - 6k 3799. katham -- to be stained 2490. chalal -- to bore, pierce 5246. namer -- a leopard 3971. mum -- blemish, defect Library Whether Sin Causes a Stain on the Soul? Whether the Stain Remains in the Soul after the Act of Sin? Whether Venial Sin Causes a Stain on the Soul? Of the Stain of Sin (Two Articles) What Can Wash Away My Stain. So, Then, Even if You are Pure, and have Been Cleansed from Every ... He Has Endeavoured, Indeed, to Brand us with the Stain of this ... The Daily Prayer of the Believer Makes Satisfaction for the ... By the Holiness of Baptism, not Sins Only, but all Evils ... Whether the Debt of Punishment Remains after Sin? Thesaurus Stain (6 Occurrences)... 1. (vt) To discolor by the application of foreign matter; to make foul; to spot; as, to stain the hand with dye; armor stained with blood. ... /s/stain.htm - 9k Blot (23 Occurrences) Spot (42 Occurrences) Immaculate Defilement (12 Occurrences) Defile (63 Occurrences) Paint (3 Occurrences) Conception (6 Occurrences) Unspotted (3 Occurrences) Taint (1 Occurrence) Resources What is the Immaculate Conception? | GotQuestions.orgWas Mary sinless? Was Mary without sin? | GotQuestions.org What are indulgences and plenary indulgences and is the concept biblical? | GotQuestions.org Stain: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Stain (6 Occurrences)1 Corinthians 6:11 Ephesians 5:27 1 Timothy 6:14 Job 3:5 Isaiah 23:9 Jeremiah 2:22 Subtopics Related Terms |
    |