Greek word · G4695
σπιλόω
spiloō
to stain
To stain, spot or soil. The related noun is spilos ('spot, blemish', Eph 5:27; 2 Pet 2:13) and the opposite is aspilos ('spotless', used of sacrificial animals in 1 Pet 1:19 and of moral purity in Jas 1:27). The word comes from the language of ritual and moral cleanness.
Appears 2 times in 2 verses of the Greek New Testament. ·
What it means
σπιλόω
[in LXX: Wisdom of Solomon 15:4 * ;]
to stain, spot, defile: with accusative, James 3:6, Jude 1:23.†
(AS)
From G. Abbott-Smith, A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament (1922), via STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0).
In depth
- Range of meaning
To stain, spot or soil. The related noun is spilos ('spot, blemish', Eph 5:27; 2 Pet 2:13) and the opposite is aspilos ('spotless', used of sacrificial animals in 1 Pet 1:19 and of moral purity in Jas 1:27). The word comes from the language of ritual and moral cleanness.
- Against the English
KJV has 'defileth', ESV 'staining', NIV 'corrupts', BSB 'pollutes'. 'Corrupts' loses the purity image and the link to 1:27. 'Staining' and 'defiles' keep it.
- Used elsewhere in the period
Elsewhere in the NT only in Jude 23 ('the garment stained by the flesh'). In Wisdom of Solomon 15:4 the related noun is used for a painted figure 'stained' with colours. Aspilos is used for unblemished things in Jewish and early Christian writing.
- Range of meaning
To stain, spot, soil, defile. From spilos, 'spot, blemish'. Used physically (a stain on cloth) and morally.
- Against the English
'Stained' (BSB, WEB, NIV), 'spotted' (KJV), 'polluted' (NASB). All are fair. 'Spotted' is weaker than the image of a soiled undergarment.
- Used elsewhere in the period
Only here and James 3:6, where the tongue 'stains the whole body'. Related words: spilos, 'spot' (Eph 5:27; 2 Pet 2:13); aspilos, 'spotless' (Jas 1:27; 1 Pet 1:19); and Jude's own spilades in v. 12, the intruders as 'blemishes' or 'hidden reefs' at the love feasts.
Where it appears
James · 1
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James 3:6 σπιλοῦσα is defiling
The tongue also is a fire, a world of wickedness among the parts of the body. It pollutes the whole person, sets the course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.
Here: A present participle: it keeps staining. The word comes from the language of ritual and moral purity. It echoes 1:27, where true religion keeps itself 'unstained (aspilos) from the world'. Here 'the world' has already moved into the mouth.
Jude · 1
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Jude 1:23 ἐσπιλωμένον stained
save others by snatching them from the fire; and to still others show mercy tempered with fear, hating even the clothing stained by the flesh.
Here: A perfect passive participle: 'having been stained and still stained'. The garment carries a lasting mark. The same family of words gives Jude's 'blemishes/hidden reefs' (spilades) in v. 12.
Word data: STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0), main text only.