σπιλόω (spiloō)
spiloō
to stain
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb spilōō means to stain or defile, describing the act of soiling something that was previously clean. In the New Testament, it appears only twice, in James and Jude, carrying a strong sense of moral contamination. It is not merely about physical dirt but refers to actions or attitudes that corrupt spiritual purity.
In James 3:6, the word describes how the tongue can defile the whole body, using the image of fire setting a forest ablaze. Similarly, Jude 23 urges believers to save others by snatching them from the fire, hating even the garment stained by fleshly desires. The term suggests that sin leaves a visible mark on one’s character, much like a stain on fabric.
Its root relates to spots or blemishes, emphasizing the tangible impact of sin. Translators often render it as "stain" or "defile," highlighting the lasting effect of unrepentant behavior. The word serves as a vivid reminder that small actions can have significant spiritual consequences.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word spiloō reminds us that sin is not just a hidden thought but something that leaves a mark. When James writes about the tongue, he uses this vivid image to show how our words can stain our entire character. It is a sobering reminder that small actions have lasting spiritual consequences, affecting who we are and how we relate to others.
In Jude, the call to hate even the garment stained by fleshly desires urges us to be vigilant against corruption. This does not mean we live in fear of failure, but with a clear eye toward purity. We are invited to protect our hearts and help others avoid these spiritual stains, keeping our focus on what is clean and true.
Living with this awareness helps us walk carefully in our daily interactions. It encourages us to guard our speech and actions, knowing they shape our inner life. By staying close to God’s truth, we can maintain a clear conscience and reflect His holiness in a world that often feels marked by error.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- stained1×
- is defiling1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἐσπιλωμένον1×
- σπιλοῦσα1×
Key Verses
-
James 3:6
And the tongue is a fire. The world of iniquity among our members is the tongue, which defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature, and is set on fire by Gehenna.
This verse uses the word to describe how the tongue acts as a fire that defiles the whole body, showing the widespread impact of careless speech.
-
Jude 1:23
and some save, snatching them out of the fire with fear, hating even the clothing stained by the flesh.
Here the term describes clothing stained by fleshly desires, urging believers to actively rescue others while rejecting even minor moral corruption.