The Heathen: Filthy
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In biblical literature, the term "heathen" is often used to describe nations or individuals who do not worship the God of Israel and are outside the covenant community. The concept of "filthiness" associated with the heathen is frequently mentioned in the Scriptures, reflecting both physical and spiritual impurity.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, the Israelites were repeatedly warned against adopting the practices of the heathen nations surrounding them. These nations were often characterized by idolatry, immorality, and various abominations in the sight of God. The term "filthy" is used metaphorically to describe the spiritual corruption and moral decay of these peoples.

For instance, in the book of Ezekiel, God condemns the idolatrous practices of the nations, describing them as "filthy" in their abominations. Ezekiel 36:25 states, "I will also sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impurities and all your idols." This verse highlights the contrast between the purity God desires for His people and the filthiness of idolatry.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the concept of filthiness is expanded to include moral and spiritual uncleanness. The Apostle Paul, in his letters, often contrasts the purity expected of believers with the filthiness of the pagan world. In 2 Corinthians 7:1 , Paul exhorts the believers, "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."

The heathen, in this context, are those who live according to the flesh, indulging in sinful behaviors that are considered filthy in the eyes of God. The call to holiness is a recurring theme, urging believers to separate themselves from the moral filth of the world.

Symbolism and Imagery

The imagery of filthiness is often used symbolically to represent the spiritual state of those who reject God. In Revelation 17:4 , Babylon, a symbol of worldly corruption, is described as "holding a golden cup full of abominations and the filth of her adulteries." This vivid imagery underscores the depth of spiritual corruption associated with those who oppose God's ways.

Moral and Spiritual Implications

The association of the heathen with filthiness serves as a warning to the covenant community to remain distinct and separate from the corrupt practices of the world. The call to holiness and purity is a central tenet of the biblical narrative, urging believers to live lives that reflect the character of God.

Throughout Scripture, the contrast between the holy and the profane, the clean and the unclean, serves as a reminder of the transformative power of God's grace. Believers are called to be a light in the darkness, living lives that are set apart from the filthiness of the heathen world.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Ezra 6:21
And the children of Israel, which were come again out of captivity, and all such as had separated themselves to them from the filthiness of the heathen of the land, to seek the LORD God of Israel, did eat,
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Ephesians 4:19
Who being past feeling have given themselves over to lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Ephesians 5:12
For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

"The Heritage of the Heathen"
... "And that, dear children, is the heritage of the heathen. ... dear children, for the
Lord spake by Isaiah, All your righteousnesses are but as filthy rags.'. ...
/.../bevan/three friends of god/chapter xvii the heritage of.htm

Though in Almost Every Age There have Indeed Been in the Heathen ...
... accounts enough extant of the universal corruption and debauchery of the heathen
world. ... On the contrary; many of them were slaves to filthy lusts, many to pride ...
/.../vi proposition vi though in.htm

The Christians are not the Only Contemners of the Gods Contempt of ...
... Contemners of the Gods Contempt of Them Often Displayed by Heathen Official Persons. ...
over the spilling of human blood, (and) over those filthy penalties which ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/tertullian/ad nationes/chapter x name christians are.htm

Answer to the Objection of the Heathen, that it was not Right to ...
... Chapter X."Answer to the Objection of the Heathen, that It Was Not ... before the idols,
their hair matted, their persons disgraced with filthy and tattered ...
/.../clement/exhortation to the heathen/chapter x answer to the objection.htm

"And we Will --"
... was spared, no sacrifice withheld, for the sake of a filthy lie embodied in a stone
or golden image. While he listened to the songs of the heathen, his heart ...
//christianbookshelf.org/champness/broken bread/xii and we will.htm

Groping in the Dark.
... of foul, filthy cobwebs that blind the eyes with their dust, and grime all the life.
I have no doubt that untold numbers of true hearts in heathen lands are ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks with world winners/groping in the dark.htm

But what the Meaning of this Is, is Already Clear to All. ...
The Seven Books of Arnobius Against the Heathen. ... not see that these things can be
got rid of which have once been committed to writing in filthy language, you ...
/.../the seven books of arnobius against the heathen/43 but what the meaning.htm

What Then? You Say; do You Declare that These Gods Exist Nowhere ...
The Seven Books of Arnobius Against the Heathen. ... set over those lusts which wisdom
bids us avoid, and which, in a thousand ways, vile and filthy wretches [4127 ...
/.../the seven books of arnobius against the heathen/9 what then you say.htm

There was Doubt in the Councils of the Gods How that Unyielding ...
The Seven Books of Arnobius Against the Heathen. ... neglecting all the restraints of
chastity and modesty, throw themselves headlong into filthy vileness, making ...
/.../the seven books of arnobius against the heathen/11 there was doubt in.htm

But Why do we Speak of Your Having Bemired the Great Mother of the ...
The Seven Books of Arnobius Against the Heathen. <. ... oh, disgraceful
plight of Jupiter, prepared to attempt a filthy contest! ...
/.../arnobius/the seven books of arnobius against the heathen/9 but why do we.htm

Resources
What is the Lord's prayer and should we pray it? | GotQuestions.org

Should a Christian wear a purity ring? | GotQuestions.org

Why is sexual purity so important? | GotQuestions.org

Heathen: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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Subtopics

Heathen

Heathen: Abimelech

Heathen: Balaam

Heathen: Bildad

Heathen: Cast out of Canaan

Heathen: Cyrus

Heathen: Divine Revelations Given to Abimelech

Heathen: Divine Revelations Given to Balaam

Heathen: Divine Revelations Given to Belshazzar

Heathen: Divine Revelations Given to Cornelius

Heathen: Divine Revelations Given to Cyrus

Heathen: Divine Revelations Given to Nebuchadnezzar

Heathen: Divine Revelations Given to Pharaoh

Heathen: Divine Revelations Given to The Centurion at Capernaum

Heathen: Divine Revelations Given to The Magi (Wise Men from the East)

Heathen: Elihu

Heathen: Eliphaz

Heathen: Excluded from the Temple

Heathen: Jethro

Heathen: Melchizedek

Heathen: Nebuchadnezzar, After his Restoration

Heathen: Pious People Among

Heathen: The Centurion at Caesarea

Heathen: The Centurion at Capernaum

Heathen: The Magi (The Wise Men from the East)

Heathen: The Ninevites

Heathen: Their Land Given to Israel

Heathen: Zophar

The Heathen are Without God and Christ

The Heathen: Aid Missions To

The Heathen: Baptism to be Administered To

The Heathen: Cautions Against Imitating

The Heathen: Conversion of, Acceptable to God

The Heathen: Cruel

The Heathen: Danger of Intercourse With

The Heathen: Degradation of

The Heathen: Employed to Chastise the Church

The Heathen: Evil of Imitating

The Heathen: Filthy

The Heathen: Given to Christ

The Heathen: God: Brings to Nought the Counsels of

The Heathen: God: Punishes

The Heathen: God: Rules Over

The Heathen: God: Will be Exalted Among

The Heathen: God: Will Finally Judge

The Heathen: Have: Evidence of the Goodness of God

The Heathen: Have: Evidence of the Power of God

The Heathen: Have: The Testimony of Conscience

The Heathen: Having No Hope

The Heathen: Idolatrous

The Heathen: Ignorant

The Heathen: Necessity for Preaching To

The Heathen: Persecuting

The Heathen: Praise God for Success of the Gospel Among

The Heathen: Pray For

The Heathen: Salvation of, Foretold

The Heathen: Salvation Provided For

The Heathen: Scoffing at Saints

The Heathen: Strangers to the Covenant of Promise

The Heathen: The Church Shall be Avenged of

The Heathen: The Glory of God to be Declared Among

The Heathen: The Gospel Received By

The Heathen: The Gospel to be Preached To

The Heathen: The Holy Spirit Poured out Upon

The Heathen: Worshippers of the Devil

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The Heathen: Evil of Imitating
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