In biblical literature, the concept of being "stained" often carries a symbolic meaning related to sin, impurity, and moral defilement. The imagery of stains is used to illustrate the effects of sin on the human soul and the need for spiritual cleansing and redemption.

Old Testament Context

The Old Testament frequently uses the imagery of stains and blemishes in the context of ritual purity and the sacrificial system. In Leviticus, the laws concerning sacrifices and offerings emphasize the need for animals to be without blemish, symbolizing the requirement for purity before God. Leviticus 22:21 states, "When a man presents a peace offering to the LORD to fulfill a vow or as a freewill offering from the herd or flock, it must be without blemish to be acceptable; there must be no defect in it."

The prophets also use the imagery of stains to describe the moral and spiritual condition of the people. In Isaiah 1:18 , the Lord invites His people to repentance, saying, "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 be like wool." Here, the stain of sin is contrasted with the purity that God offers through forgiveness.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the concept of being stained is often associated with the moral and spiritual purity expected of believers. James 1:27 highlights the importance of keeping oneself "unstained by the world," emphasizing the call to live a life of holiness and separation from worldly corruption: "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."

The Apostle Paul, in his letters, frequently exhorts believers to live lives that reflect their new identity in Christ, free from the stains of sin. Ephesians 5:25-27 speaks of Christ's love for the church and His desire to present her "without stain or wrinkle or any such blemish, but holy and blameless."

Theological Implications

The imagery of stains in the Bible underscores the pervasive nature of sin and the need for divine intervention to achieve true purity. The sacrificial system of the Old Testament foreshadows the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, whose blood cleanses believers from all sin. Hebrews 9:14 declares, "How much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!"

The call to remain unstained by the world is a recurring theme in Christian teaching, urging believers to pursue holiness and live in a manner worthy of their calling. The transformative power of Christ's sacrifice enables believers to overcome the stains of sin and live in the righteousness that God provides.

Practical Application

For Christians, the concept of being stained serves as a reminder of the ongoing battle against sin and the importance of seeking God's cleansing through repentance and faith. It encourages believers to examine their lives, confess their sins, and rely on the Holy Spirit to maintain purity in thought, word, and deed. The assurance of forgiveness and cleansing through Christ empowers believers to live victoriously, reflecting the holiness of God in a world marred by sin.(imp. & p. p.) of Stain.4510. rhupoo -- pollute, defile
... Verb Transliteration: rhupoo Phonetic Spelling: (rhoo-po'-o) Short Definition: I
am filthy Definition: I am filthy; hence (morally): I am stained with sin. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4510.htm - 6k3799. katham -- to be stained
... to be stained. Transliteration: katham Phonetic Spelling: (kaw-tham') Short Definition:
stain. ... root Definition to be stained NASB Word Usage stain (1). mark. ...
/hebrew/3799.htm - 5k

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

But See, when He is Reduced to Straits in the Argument...
... 2376]. Does he mean that when I said, What if the conscience of the giver
be hidden from sight, and possibly be stained with guilt? ...
/.../writings in connection with the donatist controversy /chapter 21 24 but.htm

Whether Sin Causes a Stain on the Soul?
... But the reason or intellect is not stained by considering anything whatever;
rather indeed is it perfected thereby. Therefore neither ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether sin causes a stain.htm

Introduction.
... They have robbed her of her virtues and have stained her fair name until to-day
all that is seen of Christianity in the aristocratic circles of Christendom is ...
//christianbookshelf.org/orr/the gospel day /introduction.htm

Morning Hymn
... So shall our guilty midnight fade, The sin-stained heart's gross dusky shade: So
shall the King's All-radiant Face Sudden unveil our deep disgrace. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/prudentius/the hymns of prudentius/ii morning hymn.htm

Impure Loves Ascribed to the Gods.
... But you describe the god to me as blood-stained, and the bane of mortals:".
"Mars, Mars, the bane of mortals, stained with blood;" [774]. ...
/.../athenagoras/a plea for the christians/chapter xxi impure loves ascribed to.htm

A Poem on the Passion of the Lord
... Behold and see my locks clotted with blood, and my blood-stained neck under my very
hair, and my head drained [2082] with cruel thorns, and pouring down like ...
/.../of the manner in which the persecutors died/a poem on the passion.htm

Open to Me the Gates of Lovingkindness,
... Open to me the gates of lovingkindness,. Laden and sin-stained let me enter in; ... Open
to me the gates of lovingkindness,. Laden and sin-stained, I would enter in; ...
/.../brownlie/hymns of the apostolic church/open to me the gates.htm

The Exhortation of the Last HomilyIs Continued in This. ...
... dunghill, streaming with gore from every part, and his flesh gradually wasting away;
even he who was just, and true, so devout a man, who stained from every ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/homily v the exhortation of.htm

The Massacre of the Innocents and the Flight into Egypt.
... in violation of every natural feeling, ever urged him on to new deeds of cruelty;
whose path to the throne, and whose throne itself, were stained with human ...
/.../section 20 the massacre of.htm

The Good Samaritan
... The road through this world is a dangerous way, leading through the wilderness,
stained by many crimes, haunted by many robbers. ...
/.../the life of duty a years plain sermons v 2/sermon xlviii the good samaritan.htm

Stained (6 Occurrences)
...Stained (6 Occurrences). Jude 1:23 and some save, snatching them out of the fire
with fear, hating even the clothing stained by the flesh. (WEB NIV). ...
/s/stained.htm - 8k

Blood-stained (1 Occurrence)
Blood-stained. Bloodshot, Blood-stained. Bloodstains . Multi-Version
Concordance Blood-stained (1 Occurrence). 2 Samuel ...
/b/blood-stained.htm - 6k

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

Priest (500 Occurrences)
... He had a blood-stained ear that he might hear and obey the divine injunctions, that
he might understand the word of Yahweh and interpret it to the people. ...
/p/priest.htm - 88k

Joab (128 Occurrences)
... 11:1, 11). His character is deeply stained by the part he willingly took
in the murder of Uriah (11:14-25). He acted apparently ...
/j/joab.htm - 53k

Jesse (45 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) Any representation or suggestion of the genealogy of Christ, in decorative
art. 2. (n.) A genealogical tree represented in stained glass. ...
/j/jesse.htm - 32k

Lifeblood (6 Occurrences)
... was no man with me: yes, I trod them in my anger, and trampled them in my wrath;
and their lifeblood is sprinkled on my garments, and I have stained all my ...
/l/lifeblood.htm - 8k

Wrongdoers (18 Occurrences)
... evil came on them, says the Lord. (BBE). Hosea 6:8 Gilead is a city of those
who work iniquity; it is stained with blood. (See NAS). ...
/w/wrongdoers.htm - 11k

Footprints (2 Occurrences)
... not known. (See NAS RSV NIV). Hosea 6:8 Gilead is a city of them that work
iniquity; it is stained with blood. (See JPS NAS NIV). ...
/f/footprints.htm - 6k

Trod (14 Occurrences)
... was no man with me: yes, I trod them in my anger, and trampled them in my wrath;
and their lifeblood is sprinkled on my garments, and I have stained all my ...
/t/trod.htm - 11k

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