κοινόω (koinoō)
koinoō
to profane
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 11 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb koinoō means to render something common or ceremonially unclean. In the New Testament, it appears eleven times, primarily in the Gospels and Acts, where it addresses the boundary between what is holy and what is considered defiled by Jewish law.
Jesus uses this word to challenge traditional purity codes, declaring that external things do not make a person unclean, but rather what comes from within (Matthew 15:11; Mark 7:15). The term carries significant weight in Acts as well, where Peter receives a vision commanding him not to call common what God has cleansed (Acts 10:15), signaling a major shift in how early Christians understood ritual purity.
Its root lies in the adjective koinos, meaning "common" or "shared." While it can simply mean "ordinary," in religious contexts it often implies defilement. Translators typically use "defile" or "make unclean," though some passages highlight the social tension of treating shared things as forbidden.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word koinoō reminds us that true purity comes from the heart, not from external rules or rituals. Jesus used this term to teach that what we eat or how we follow social customs does not separate us from God. Instead, He pointed to our inner thoughts and motives as the true source of what makes us holy or unclean in His sight.
This message offers great freedom. You do not need to worry about strict dietary laws or ceremonial washings to be accepted by God. Your relationship with Him is based on faith and the condition of your heart, not on outward appearances or adherence to traditional purity codes.
Similarly, the early church learned that God’s cleansing work in Christ breaks down barriers between people. What God has declared clean, we should not treat as forbidden or separate. This invites us to focus on loving others and maintaining a pure heart, rather than judging others by external standards.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 11 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- defiles3×
- it defiles2×
- to defile?1×
- to defile1×
- has defiled1×
- do call unholy.1×
- do call common.1×
- defiling1×
- defiled1×
- defile1×
- are defiling1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- κοινοῖ6×
- κοίνου.2×
- κοινοῦντα2×
- κοινῶσαι;1×
- κοινῶσαι1×
- κεκοίνωκεν1×
- κεκοινωμένους1×
Key Verses
-
Matthew 15:11
That which enters into the mouth doesn’t defile the man; but that which proceeds out of the mouth, this defiles the man.”
Jesus uses this word to shift the focus of purity from food to the words that come from the heart.
-
Mark 7:15
There is nothing from outside of the man that going into him can defile him; but the things which proceed out of the man are those that defile the man.
This verse explicitly states that external things cannot defile a person, highlighting the internal nature of sin.
-
Acts 10:15
A voice came to him again the second time, “What God has cleansed, you must not call unclean.”
Peter receives a vision where God commands him not to call common what He has cleansed, signaling the end of ritual food restrictions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does koinoō mean in the New Testament?
How is koinoō different from other words for sin?
Why is this word important for Christians today?
Every Occurrence (11 verses across 4 books)
Matthew 3 verses
That which enters into the mouth doesn’t defile the man; but that which proceeds out of the mouth, this defiles the…
Matthew 15:18But the things which proceed out of the mouth come out of the heart, and they defile the man.
Matthew 15:20These are the things which defile the man; but to eat with unwashed hands doesn’t defile the man.”