περίψημα (peripsēma)
peripsēma
scum
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun peripsēma refers to the scum or scrapings wiped away from a surface, describing the worthless residue left behind after cleaning. In the New Testament, it appears only once in 1 Corinthians 4:13, where Paul uses this stark image to describe the apostles’ status in the world’s eyes.
Paul pairs this word with another term for refuse, creating a vivid picture of social rejection. He explains that believers are treated as the "scum of the earth," the garbage swept off the floor and cast out. This language highlights the extreme humiliation and lowly condition endured by those who follow Christ, contrasting their spiritual privilege with their earthly disgrace.
The word’s force lies in its physicality; it is not merely abstract shame but the tangible dregs of society. By choosing this term, Paul emphasizes that the gospel messengers have been reduced to the lowest possible station, viewed as useless waste by the very culture they seek to serve.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word peripsēma describes the scum or scrapings wiped from a surface, leaving behind only worthless residue. In 1 Corinthians 4:13, Paul uses this stark image to describe how the world views apostles and faithful believers. We are treated as the dirt swept off the floor, cast out and defamed by society.
This picture of extreme humiliation contrasts sharply with our spiritual privilege. While the world sees us as useless waste, God sees us as His chosen messengers. This reality invites us to find our identity not in human approval but in Christ alone. When we face rejection or scorn for following Jesus, we are in good company with those who have gone before us.
May you feel encouraged knowing that earthly disgrace does not diminish your value in God’s eyes. Your faithfulness matters deeply to Him, even when the world overlooks it. Rest in the truth that your standing is secure in Christ, regardless of how others treat you.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- refuse1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- περίψημα1×
Key Verses
-
I Corinthians 4:13
Being defamed, we entreat. We are made as the filth of the world, the dirt wiped off by all, even until now.
Paul uses this rare term to depict apostles as the dirt wiped off the floor, emphasizing their complete social rejection and lowly status in the eyes of the world.