μιαίνω (miainō)
miainō
to stain
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 4 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb miainō means to stain or defile, carrying a strong sense of contamination that affects both physical purity and moral integrity. In the New Testament, it appears in just four verses, yet its impact is significant across different contexts. The word describes something being soiled by sin or ritual impurity, marking a clear departure from a state of cleanliness.
A key distinction lies in its primary meaning: unlike many related terms for defilement, miainō can occasionally be used in an honorable sense when referring to dyeing cloth with a specific color. However, Scripture consistently uses it negatively. For instance, in Titus 1:15 and Jude 8, it describes how sin corrupts the mind and body of those who reject God’s truth. In John 18:28, it refers to ritual defilement that would prevent participation in the Passover meal.
This word highlights the seriousness of moral and spiritual contamination in biblical thought. It reminds readers that actions have consequences beyond themselves, affecting one’s standing before God and community. Translators often render miainō as "defile" or "pollute," capturing its weighty implication of irreversible damage to purity.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word miainō describes a stain that goes deep, affecting both outward purity and inner character. In the New Testament, it highlights how sin contaminates the whole person, from the mind to the body. This is not just about breaking rules; it is about a fundamental change in our spiritual condition.
For your faith, this word serves as a sobering reminder of the seriousness of moral compromise. It shows that what we allow into our hearts and minds leaves a mark. Yet, it also points to the need for God’s cleansing grace, which restores us when we fall short.
By understanding this term, we can be more vigilant about what influences us. We are called to pursue purity, not by our own strength alone, but by relying on God’s transforming power. This awareness helps us guard our hearts and live in a way that honors Him.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 4 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- they may be defiled1×
- may be defiled1×
- have been defiled1×
- defiled1×
- defile,1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- μιανθῶσιν2×
- μιαίνουσιν,1×
- μεμίανται1×
- μεμιαμμένοις1×
Key Verses
-
Titus 1:15
To the pure, all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure; but both their mind and their conscience are defiled.
This verse shows how unbelief defiles the mind and conscience, linking internal faith to external moral state.
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Jude 1:8
Yet in the same way, these also in their dreaming defile the flesh, despise authority, and slander celestial beings.
Here, the word describes how immoral behavior and rebellion against authority actively corrupt a person’s spiritual integrity.
-
John 18:28
They led Jesus therefore from Caiaphas into the Praetorium. It was early, and they themselves didn’t enter into the Praetorium, that they might not be defiled, but might eat the Passover.
This occurrence highlights the Jewish concern for ritual purity, showing how external actions could defile one’s participation in sacred feasts.
-
Hebrews 12:15
looking carefully lest there be any man who falls short of the grace of God, lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you and many be defiled by it,
The word illustrates how bitterness can spread like a stain, defiling many people and hindering their experience of God’s grace.