μῶμος (mōmos)
mōmos
blemish
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun mōmos refers to a blemish or defect, carrying the sense of something that mars perfection. In its literal usage within the Septuagint, it describes physical flaws that would disqualify an animal from sacrifice or a person from serving in the temple (Leviticus 21:17). This concrete image of damage extends metaphorically to moral failing, where the word signifies disgrace or blame.
Its most significant New Testament appearance occurs in 2 Peter 2:13. Here, Peter uses the term to describe false teachers who are "blots" on the community’s love feasts. The word suggests they are not merely mistaken, but actively corrupting the fellowship, much like a physical stain ruins a garment. This usage connects their spiritual failure to the Old Testament concept of ritual impurity.
The related adjective amōmos, meaning "without blemish," appears in 1 Peter 1:19 to describe Christ as a spotless sacrifice. The contrast highlights the seriousness of mōmos; it is not just a minor error, but a fundamental defect that separates one from holiness. Translators often render it as "blot" or "blemish" to preserve this imagery of visible damage.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word mōmos describes a visible defect, like a spot on an animal that made it unfit for sacrifice. In the New Testament, this image is applied to false teachers who disrupt the church's fellowship. Their actions are not just private errors but public stains that damage the community's unity and witness.
For believers, this serves as a sobering reminder of how our conduct affects others. We are called to live in a way that builds up the body of Christ rather than tearing it down. The contrast with being 'without blemish' highlights the high standard of holiness God desires for His people.
May we strive to maintain purity in our hearts and actions, protecting the integrity of our shared faith. Let us seek to be a blessing to one another, reflecting the spotless nature of Christ in all we do.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- blemishes,1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- μῶμοι,1×
Key Verses
-
II Peter 2:13
receiving the wages of unrighteousness; people who count it pleasure to revel in the daytime, spots and defects, reveling in their deceit while they feast with you;
This verse uses the term to describe false teachers whose deceitful behavior acts as a visible stain on the church's communal love feasts.