The Biblical concept of impurity is not limited to physical uncleanliness but extends to moral, spiritual, and ethical dimensions as well. It draws clear lines between right and wrong and emphasizes the need for personal sanctification.
What Does The Bible Say About Impurity?
The Bible, particularly in the Old Testament, provides specific rules and laws about what is considered impure. These regulations quoted multiple times, detail both physical and moral impurity. For example, certain foods and practices were considered impure, as were behaviors that defied the moral standards of the time. Moreover, violations of these laws concerning impurity were often met with severe penalties as an affront to godliness and an offense against communal harmony.
Why Is Impurity Emphasized In The bible?
Impurity is emphasized in the Bible as it represents a major barrier in maintaining a close relationship with God. In the Biblical perspective, God is pure and holy, and impurity is everything that is contrary to His nature. Impurity is seen as a form of spiritual rebellion, inciting divine wrath and potentially driving away God’s blessings. Consequently, the Bible persistently urges believers to cleanse themselves from various forms of impurities and strive for a state of purity, symbolizing a life lived in harmony with divine commandments.
Who Are Impure According To The Bible?
The Bible states that anyone can become impure based on actions or choices at a particular moment. Impurity is not a permanent condition and does not inevitably signify a totally corrupt person. It might be a consequence of certain behaviors, thoughts, or actions that contradict God’s commands. Therefore, the Bible sets the path for those who are impure to become clean again. Through sincere repentance, confession of misdeeds, and sincere efforts to behave righteous, a believer can shake off the mantle of impurity.
When Does The Bible Advocate Purification?
The Bible advocates purification after a person has been considered impure. Depending on the nature of the impurity, the Bible suggests different means of purification that include ritualistic washings, prayers, sacrifices, fasts, and sometimes even isolation. The underlying motivation for these processes of purification is the desire to draw closer to God by rectifying wrong actions and keeping the community free of harmful influences.
Impurity, as per the Bible, is an all-encompassing theme, enveloping physical conditions, ethical conduct, and spiritual status. The Bible, in its great wisdom, recognizes and addresses humanity’s tendency to drift away from divine laws. By doing so, it underscores the importance of living in a way that reflects God’s purity and maintaining due respect for divine laws that govern human actions.
Below is our full list of bible verses on impurity (King James Version – KJV) provided in ranked order.
Most Popular Bible Verses About Impurity
Hebrews 13:4
“4 Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.”
Ephesians 5:3
“3 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;”
1 Corinthians 6:18
“18 Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.”
Colossians 3:5
“5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:”
1 Thessalonians 4:3-5
“3 For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:4 That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour;5 Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God:”
Galatians 5:19
“19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,”
Related Themes: Lust Abomination Lust Bitterness Adultery
1 Corinthians 6:9
“9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,”
Related Themes: Lust Abomination Lust Abomination
2 Timothy 2:22
“22 Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.”
1 Corinthians 6:9-10
“9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.”
Related Themes: Lust Abomination Lust Abomination
Matthew 5:28
“28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.”
Galatians 5:19-21
“19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.”
Related Themes: Lust Abomination Lust Bitterness Adultery
1 Thessalonians 4:3
“3 For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:”
1 Corinthians 6:13
“13 Meats for the belly, and the belly for meats: but God shall destroy both it and them. Now the body is not for fornication, but for the Lord; and the Lord for the body.”
Philippians 4:8
“8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”
Related Themes: Lust Gossip Attitude Complaining
1 Corinthians 6:18-20
“18 Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.”
Leviticus 20:13
“13 If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them.”
Related Themes: Criticism Lust Morality Reputation
Romans 1:24
“24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:”
Romans 1:24-27
“24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.”
1 Corinthians 10:13
“13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”
Related Themes: Lust Self-Control Addiction Strength Temptation
Matthew 5:8
“8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.”
Ephesians 4:19
“19 Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.”
Related Themes: Lust Adultery Indulgence Lust
Psalm 51:10
“10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.”
Related Themes: Heart Bitterness Creativity Holiness Purity
Jude 1:7
“7 Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.”
Related Themes: Lust Abomination Hell Social Justice Adultery
1 John 1:9
“9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
Related Themes: Repentance Forgiveness Bitterness Lust Attitude
Psalm 24:3-4
“3 Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place?4 He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.”
1 Corinthians 10:8
“8 Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand.”
Related Themes: Adultery Indulgence
Romans 12:2
“2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
Related Themes: Complaining Lust Creativity Attitude Business
1 Thessalonians 4:7
“7 For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.”
Leviticus 18:22
“22 Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination.”
Related Themes: Lust Abomination Relationships Adultery
