Leviticus 21:16-24 - No one may approach the Lord, to minister unto Him, with a “defect”. All of mankind has a moral defect, all of us are sinners. The blood of Christ is the only cleansing agent strong enough to cleanse, or purify us from the moral stains of our sinful nature. It is only through the blood of Jesus that we may approach the throne of God. Without the application of the blood by faith at this end of the age, when we are being called behind the veil (see the Bible study Going Behind The Veil), we will not be able/allowed to enter in.
16 Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
17 "Speak to Aaron, saying, 'No man of your offspring throughout their generations who has a defect [3971] shall approach to offer the bread of his God.
18 'For no one who has a defect [3971] shall approach: a blind man, or a lame man, or he who has a disfigured face, or any deformed limb,
19 or a man who has a broken foot or broken hand,
20 or a hunchback or a dwarf, or one who has a defect [3971] in his eye or eczema or scabs or crushed testicles.
21 'No man among the descendants of Aaron the priest, who has a defect [3971], is to come near to offer the LORD'S offerings by fire; since he has a defect [3971], he shall not come near to offer the bread of his God.
22 'He may eat the bread of his God, both of the most holy and of the holy,
23 only he shall not go in to the veil or come near the altar because he has a defect [3971], that he may not profane My sanctuaries. For I am the LORD who sanctifies them.'"
24 So Moses spoke to Aaron and to his sons and to all the sons of Israel.
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3971 m'uwm (moom);
(Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance)
usually muwm (moom); as if passive participle from an unused root probably meaning to stain; a blemish (physically or morally): -blemish, blot, spot.
(Brown Driver Briggs Hebrew Lexicon)
blemish, spot, defect
a) used of physical defect
b) used of moral stain
Purification, Purify, Purifying
A. Nouns.
1. katharismos [2512] is rendered "a cleansing" (akin to No. 4, above), (Mark 1:44; Luke 5:14); in (Heb. 1:3), RV, "purification."
2. katharotes [2514], "cleansing," (Heb. 9:13). See CLEAN, C, No. 2.#
3. hagnismos [49] denotes "a ceremonial purification," (Acts 21:26), for the circumstances of which with reference to the vow of a Nazirite (RV), see (Num. 6:9-13).#
B. Verbs.
1. hagnizo [48], akin to hagnos, "pure" (see CHASTE), "to purify, cleanse from defilement," is used of “purifying" (a) ceremonially, (John 11:55; Acts 21:24,26) (cf. No. 3 above); (24:18); (b) morally, the heart, (James 4:8); the soul, (1 Peter 1:22); oneself, (1 John 3:3).
2. katharizo [2511], "to cleanse, make free from admixture," is translated "to purify" in (Acts 15:9), KJV (RV, "cleansing"); (Titus 2:14; Heb. 9:23), KJV (RV, "cleansed"). See CLEAN, B, No. 1.
(from Vine's Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words; Copyright (C) 1985, Thomas Nelson Publishers)
Other “Blemish” Verses
Song of Solomon 4:7 – An Old Testament picture of the Bride of Christ from the Bridegroom’s perspective. She is said to be the “one” who is without blemish. Her love for her Bridegroom is revealed through her inner beauty, which then grants her the right to enter into the inner court. She is defined as “the perfect one” (see the Bible study Eve; The Life Giving Bride).
7 "You are altogether beautiful, my darling, and there is no blemish [3971-see above] in you.
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Song of Solomon 6:8-10 – Solomon describes the Bride of Christ for us. She is the Lord’s “perfect one,” which means she represents the perfectly united one in Himself who lacks nothing (see the Bible studies Not Lacking and Eve; The Life Giving Bride). Jesus spoke about this in a portion of His prayer to the Father in John 17:20-23. He spoke of us being “perfected in unity.” This unity, this perfection of the Body of Christ, our completed “oneness,” is by His Spirit through submission to His sanctifying work of salvation in our hearts (Romans 6:19-22, 1 Thess. 4:3-7, 2 Thess. 2:13, 1 Peter 1:2). Without this work in our hearts by His Spirit, we will not see the Lord (Hebrews 12:14). This is why we MUST NOT fight against His inner beautifying process (Esther 2:3, 9, 12-13). It is only through our obedient submission that the covenant is established within us and we are saved (2 Thess. 2:13; see the Bible study Establishing The Covenant).
8 "There are sixty queens and eighty concubines, and maidens without number;
9 But my dove, my perfect [8535] one [259], is unique: She is her mother's only [259] daughter; She is the pure [1249] child of the one who bore her. The maidens saw her and called her blessed, the queens and the concubines also, and they praised her, saying,
10 'Who is this that grows like the dawn, As beautiful as the full moon, As pure [1249] as the sun, As awesome [”frightful, terrible, dreadful, awe inspiring”] as an army with banners?'
NASU
OT:259 'echad (ekh-awd')
(Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance)
a numeral from OT:258; properly, united, i.e. one; or (as an ordinal) first:
KJV - a, alike, alone, altogether, and, any (-thing), apiece, a certain, [daily-], each (one), eleven, every, few, first, highway, a man, once, one, only, other, some, together.
OT:8535 tam (tawm)
(Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance)
from OT:8552; complete; usually (morally) pious; specifically, gentle, dear:
KJV - coupled together, perfect, plain, undefiled, upright.
(Brown Driver Briggs Hebrew Lexicon)
perfect, complete
a) complete, perfect; one who lacks nothing in physical strength, beauty, etc.
b) sound, wholesome; an ordinary, quiet sort of person
c) complete, morally innocent, having integrity; one who is morally and ethically pure
OT:8535 - Adjective
tam OT:8535, "perfect." When the adjectival form tam is used to describe Job 1:1, the meaning is not that he was really "perfect" in the ultimate sense, but rather that he was "blameless" (RSV) or "had integrity."
(from Vine's Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words, Copyright © 1985, Thomas Nelson Publishers.)
OT:1249 bar (bar)
(Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance)
from OT:1305 (in its various senses); beloved; also pure, empty:
KJV - choice, clean, clear, pure.
(Brown Driver Briggs Hebrew Lexicon)
1) pure, clear, sincere
2) clean, empty
as an adverb:
3) purely
Ephesians 5:25-27
25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her
26 to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, [What word? The word of truth. See the Bible study The Gospel Word Of Truth.]
27 and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain [4696] or wrinkle or any other blemish [299], but holy and blameless.
(NIV)
4696 spilos (spee'-los)
(Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance)
of uncertain derivation; a stain or blemish, i.e. (figuratively) defect, disgrace:
KJV-- spot.
(Brown Driver Briggs Hebrew Lexicon)
1) a spot
2) a fault, a moral blemish; used of base and gluttonous men
299 amomos (am'-o-mos)
(Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance)
from 1 (as a negative particle) and 3470; unblemished (literally or figuratively):
KJV-- without blame (blemish, fault, spot), faultless, unblameable.
(Brown Driver Briggs Hebrew Lexicon)
1) without blemish: as a sacrifice without spot or blemish
2) morally: without blemish, faultless, unblameable
Philippians 2:12-16 – These Scriptures speak of being “innocent,” which means “unmixed, pure, without a mixture of evil, free from guile.” Regarding being blameless and its vital significance as the Lord’s qualification for entering in, see the Bible study Noah; A Sign Of The End.
12 So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; [see the Bible study Works, and my book Works And Salvation]
13 for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.
14 Do all things without grumbling or disputing;
15 that you may prove yourselves to be blameless [273- “irreproachable, free from fault or defect”] and innocent [185], children of God above reproach [299-see above] in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world,
16 holding fast the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may have cause to glory because I did not run in vain nor toil in vain.
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185 akeraios (ak-er'-ah-yos);
(Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance)
from 1 (as a negative particle) and a presumed derivative of 2767; unmixed, i.e. (figuratively) innocent:
1) unmixed, pure (as in wines or metals) [See the Bible study Babylon’s Counterfeit Glory, and the book with the same title, and the Bible study Two Seeds]
2) used of the mind, without a mixture of evil, free from guile, innocent, simple
(Thayer’s Greek Lexicon)
a. unmixed, pure, as wine, metals,
b. of the mind, without admixture of evil, free from guile, innocent, simple (Matthew 10:16)
Colossians 1:21-23 – Applying Jesus’ death to our sin through repentance toward God removes our moral blemishes, removing the accusations against us, IF we continue in the faith. Once again, this disproves the “once saved, always saved” doctrine. Being blemish free before God is dependent upon our remaining humble before the Lord, walking in obedience to His commands. This is what it means to remain IN Him (John 15:1-11). When we stumble, there will be a repentant heart. The Babylonian, confusing mixed gospel of truth and lies allows for a person to walk in sin, unaffected. The Bible’s truth says otherwise, producing the fear of the Lord necessary to remain IN Him.
21 Once you were alienated [“a non-participant”] from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. [See James 4:4-5]
22 But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish [299] and free from accusation [“irreproachable”]--
23 if you continue in your faith [one of the numerous conditional proclamations throughout the Bible that the doctrines of demons wants us to ignore], established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.
(NIV)
Hebrews 9:13-14 – The external cleansing with the blood of animals vs. the internal cleansing (our conscience) with the blood of Jesus. The internal cleansing is so that we may “serve the living God.” It is the blood of the Lamb of God applied to our inner man through a repentant heart that qualifies us to minister unto the Lord. Otherwise, our ministry is “lifeless,” unacceptable before the Lord.
13 For if the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling those who have been defiled [2840- “to make profane”- see my book Profaning The Covenant], sanctify for the cleansing of the flesh,
14 how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish [299- see above] to God, cleanse your conscience [4893- “moral consciousness, distinguishing between what is morally good and bad”] from dead [3498- “lifeless, destitute of force or power, inactive, inoperative”] works to serve the living God? [See the Bible study Works, and my book Works And Salvation.]
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1 Peter 1:17-19 – The unblemished, spotless blood of Christ liberates us from our empty way of life.
17 And if you address as Father the One who impartially judges according to each man's work, conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your stay upon earth;
18 knowing that you were not redeemed [3084- “to ransom, to liberate”] with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile [3152- “empty, profitless, of no purpose”] way of life inherited from your forefathers [to me, this can also mean our church fathers void of the Spirit; see the Bible study Moving The Boundaries],
19 but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished [299] and spotless [784], the blood of Christ.
(NAS)
784 aspilos (as'-pee-los)
(Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance)
from 1 (as a negative particle) and 4695; unblemished (physically or morally):
KJV-- without spot, unspotted.
(Thayer’s Greek Lexicon)
1) spotless
2) metaphorically,
a) free from censure, irreproachable
b) free from vice, unsullied
1 Timothy 6:13-14 – Paul encourages Timothy to keep the commandment “without spot”, or blamelessly until the Lord’s return.
13 I urge you in the sight of God who gives life to all things, and before Christ Jesus who witnessed the good confession before Pontius Pilate,
14 that you keep this commandment without spot [784 - see above], blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ's appearing, [see the Bible study Noah, A Sign Of The End]
(NKJ)
James 1:27 – True religion involves keeping oneself from being stained, or spotted by the world. This means keeping yourself from immorality and any other forbidden fruit. This is why the Spirit is crying out to His people at the end of this age. We are being called into the King’s presence, behind the veil. If we believe this and desire to enter in we will be more serious about separating from things that spot us. If we do not apply the cleansing agent of the blood of Christ through repentance, making our wedding garments ready, we will not be allowed into the wedding feast (Matthew 22:1-14). This also involves the way we respond to orphans and widows in their difficult circumstances.
27 This is pure and undefiled [283- “unsoiled”] religion in the sight of our God and Father, to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained [784-see above] by the world. [See the Bible study Vomited Out.]
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2 Peter 3:13-14 – Peter encourages Christians concerning the future promise of God for the new heavens and earth (see Rev. 21:1) to continue our walks in Christ blamelessly, spotlessly. This refers to our obedience to Christ. A watchful heart is an obedient heart. Like the five virgins in Matthew 25, you are looking for the return of the Bridegroom with a believing heart (cleansed heart), proven by the possession of oil. Oil represents the Holy Spirit poured into a repentant heart (see Proverbs 1:23). The foolish virgins were the ones who, having heard that the return was near, did not have any oil. They had unrepentant, blemished, uncleansed, foolish hearts (represented by possessing no oil).
13 But according to His promise we are looking [4328- “to anticipate, to expect, to await”] for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells.
14 Therefore, beloved, since you look for these things, be diligent [4704- “to make haste, to make effort”] to be found by Him in peace [versus a warring, disobedient, blemished heart], spotless [784-see above] and blameless [298],
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Jude 1:24-25 – Through a dependence upon Jesus’ power over sin, we can keep from “stumbling” in this world, staining our garments.
24 Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless [299] with great joy,
25 to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.
(NAS)
Revelation 14:3-5 – This passage speaks of those who have not “stained” themselves, but instead have kept themselves from the defilements of sin. The Bible declares that, like Noah (Genesis 6:9), “they are blameless,” they are free from accusation. The accuser of the brethren has nothing over them. They are undefiled followers of Jesus Christ in whom is no guile.
As I looked at the original language word for word in the Greek, I see a somewhat different interpretation for verse four. The original format looks like this; “[3778] These [1526] are [3739] they which [3326] with/among [1135] women/wife [3756] were not [3435] defiled/soiled/stained/polluted [3933] virgins.” What I see in this is a description similar to that of the wise virgins in Matthew 25 who will be the wife of the Lamb.
3 And they sang a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and the elders; and no one could learn the song except the one hundred and forty-four thousand who had been purchased [59- “to go to market, to purchase, to redeem”] from the earth.
4 These are the ones who have not been defiled [3435] with women, for they have kept themselves chaste. These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. These have been purchased [59] from among men as first fruits [536] to God and to the Lamb. [See the Bible studies Wheat Disciples, and They Will Be Mine.]
5 And no lie [5579] was found in their mouth; they are blameless [299-see above].
(NAS)
3435 moluno (mol-oo'-no);
(Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance)
probably from 3189; to soil (figuratively):
(Thayer’s Greek Lexicon)
to pollute, to stain, to contaminate, to defile; used in New Testament of those who have not kept themselves pure from the defilements of sin (Rev. 3:4), who have soiled themselves by fornication and adultery.
536 aparche (ap-ar-khay');
(Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance)
from a compound of 575 and 756; a beginning of sacrifice, i.e. the (Jewish) first-fruit (figuratively):
(Thayer’s Greek Lexicon)
1) to offer firstlings or firstfruits
2) to take away the firstfruits of the productions of the earth which was offered to God. The first portion of the dough, from which sacred loaves were to be prepared. Hence, a term used of persons consecrated to God for all time.
3) persons superior in excellence to others of the same class
5579 pseudos (psyoo'-dos);
(Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance)
from 5574; a falsehood:
(Thayer’s Greek Lexicon)
1) a lie
2) conscious and intentional falsehood
3) in a broad sense, whatever is not what it seems to be; used of perverse, impious, deceitful precepts
The Cleansed Spokesman Of The Lord
Jeremiah 15:16-21 – To speak for the Lord, as His mouth, there must be a removal of the “worthless” things in our lives (see the Bible study Worthless Men). This form of “worthless” also refers, figuratively, to the prodigal son. It’s associated with loose living and immorality (see the Bible study Vomited Out). The good news is there is hope for the prodigals to come home! (See Luke 15:11-32.) There is also a promise that, in this cleansed state, those who fight against us will not prevail.
16 Thy words were found and I ate them, and Thy words became for me a joy and the delight of my heart; for I have been called by Thy name, O LORD God of hosts.
17 I did not sit in the circle of merrymakers, nor did I exult. Because of Thy hand upon me I sat alone, for Thou didst fill me with indignation.
18 Why has my pain been perpetual and my wound incurable, refusing to be healed? Wilt Thou indeed be to me like a deceptive stream with water that is unreliable?
19 Therefore, thus says the LORD, "If you return, then I will restore you-- Before Me you will stand; and if you extract the precious from the worthless [2151], you will become My spokesman [KJV- “as My mouth”]. They for their part may turn to you, but as for you, you must not turn to them.
20 "Then I will make you to this people a fortified wall of bronze; and though they fight against you, they will not prevail over you; for I am with you to save [3467- “to save, to deliver, to help”] you and deliver [5337- “to snatch away, to take away, to deliver”] you," declares the LORD.
21 "So I will deliver you from the hand of the wicked, and I will redeem you from the grasp of the violent."
(NAS)
2151 zalal (zaw-lal');
(Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance)
a primitive root [compare 2107]; to shake (as in the wind), i.e. to quake; figuratively, to be loose morally, worthless or prodigal
(Thayer’s Greek Lexicon)
1) to be worthless, to be vile, to be insignificant, to be light (Qal)
a) to be worthless, to be insignificant
b) to make light of, to squander, to be lavish with [see the Bible study Mishandling The Inheritance]
2) to shake, to tremble, to quake (Niphal) to shake, to quake
Proverbs 25:4
4 Take away the dross from the silver, and there comes out a vessel for the smith;
(NAS)
1 Timothy 4:16 - A persevering heart, one that continues to walk in obedience, repenting when stumbling, not only ensures your own salvation, but also those who hear you! This is the true doctrine of assurance of salvation.
16 Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; persevere [1961- “to stay at or with; to abide in, continue in, to remain”] in these things; for as you do this you will insure salvation [4982- “to save, to keep safe and sound, to rescue from danger or destruction”] both for yourself and for those who hear you.
NAS
1 Timothy 4:16
16 Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.
NKJV
2 Timothy 2:19-26 – Paul exhorts all Christians to abstain from wickedness, cleansing ourselves with the purpose of being made “useful to the Master.” Not only are we to flee sin, but also to pursue righteousness with other believers who have a pure, genuine, unmixed heart. These are the ones within the Body who pursue Jesus with an undivided heart. Their motives are pure before God, revealed by their obedient lifestyles.
19 Nevertheless, the firm foundation of God stands, having this seal, "The Lord knows those who are His," and, "Let everyone who names the name of the Lord abstain from wickedness."
20 Now in a large house there are not only gold and silver vessels, but also vessels of wood and of earthenware, and some to honor and some to dishonor.
21 Therefore, if a man cleanses himself from these things [see Rev. 19:7-8], he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful [2173- “easy to make use of, manageable”] to the Master, prepared for every good work.
22 Now flee from youthful lusts, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure [2513] heart. [A pure heart is a blameless heart, like Noah’s; see the Bible study Noah; A Sign Of The End.]
23 But refuse foolish and ignorant speculations, knowing that they produce quarrels.
24 And the Lord's bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged,
25 with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth,
26 and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will.
(NAS)
2513 katharos (kath-ar-os')
(Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance)
of uncertain affinity; clean (literally or figuratively):
(Thayer’s Greek Lexicon)
clean, pure
a) physically:
1) purified by fire
2) in a similitude, like a vine cleansed by pruning and so fitted to bear fruit
b) in a Levitical sense: clean, the use of which is not forbidden, imparts no uncleanness
c) ethically:
1) free from corrupt desire, from sin and guilt
2) free from every admixture of what is false, sincere genuine
3) blameless, innocent
4) unstained with the guilt of anything
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