Word Studies in the Bible

By E. M. Zerr

CORRUPT - PURE

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     Some time ago this column was extended to include two words each issue instead of one. In a number of issues the words were used as separate headings, or rather one was offered as a secondary heading. The two words chosen each month were used because of some relation they bore to each other, or at least because they were supposed to be related. Such relation might be in the nature of contrast or else a likeness. Perhaps both features could be present to some extent, so that occasionally there would be a sort of blending of the two words. For this reason I have adopted the method of using both terms as a hyphenated title, so the reader will be less apt to be confused by losing sight of one or the other. I am using the two parts of the present heading as adjectives, that being the most familiar form appearing in our speech.

     The first one is from SAPROS, which Young defines, "bad, putrid, rotten." Strong defines it, "rotten, i.e. worthless (literally or morally)." Thayer defines it as follows: "Rotten, putrid; corrupted by age and no longer fit for use, worn out; of poor quality, bad, unfit for use, worthless." I have quoted in full from three authorities, that the reader may see the word is unfavorable in every sense where it can be used truly. The strength of the term would not be altered any if used as a verb, as it is in a few places. There it would mean to bring such an influence upon a thing that was desirable that it would change its quality to be like the adjective defined above. There is no circumstance or condition where the word can properly be used to describe something desirable. That is why Jesus made the definite statement as follows: "Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt; for the tree is known by his fruit" (Matthew 12:33).

     The second word for our heading comes from three different Greek originals in the New Testament, but by far most instances come from one of them. I shall give the one only since it includes all the meanings of the other two, besides some important additional matter. The word is KATHAROS and Thayer's definition in full is as follows: "Clean, pure; free from corrupt desire, from sin and guilt; free from every admixture [emphasis mine E.M.Z.] of what is false, sincere; blameless, innocent; genuine." The definition includes our heading word which is an English term, hence I shall give Webster's first definition with the italics mine. "Separate from all heterogeneous [differing] or extraneous [foreign] matter; without alloy, stain or taint; clear; unmixed; sheer." It is true that the word "pure" like many other terms, is generally used in a favorable sense, and it should be so considered unless the context gives it another force. That is why certain parts of the definitions of Thayer and Webster were italicized, to call attention of the reader to the exception.

     The parts thus emphasized really suggest the basic principle involved in the word under consideration. Such principles may well be summed up in the term "unmixed," and such would be so whether any given case had to do with something favorable or unfavorable. It would not necessarily refer to conduct or moral character of the object spoken of. Hence it could properly be used of things in the material and inanimate class. For instance, the phrase "pure gold" is used a score of times in the Old Testament in connection with the tabernacle and temple service. We know that gold has no moral character any more than has lead. So the part of the definition that a thing be "unmixed" is what applies here. We see frequent reference to "the pure food and drugs act." Such a law is not primarily concerned about whether a product is desirable or not. It only requires

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that it be true to name without any mixture. So an object could be filth or rank poison, yet if that is all that it contained, it would be "pure" within the meaning of the word we are considering.

     With the basic meaning of the word in mind, it is easy to grasp the force of many statements in the scriptures. "Pure in heart" (Matthew 5:8) means a heart devoted to the Lord without a mixture of corruption. "Pure conscience" (1 Timothy 3:9) means one that is wholly favorable toward God, without any mixture of doubt as to the right or wrong involved. "Pure water" (Hebrews 10:22) means water without the addition of ashes as was used in the Mosaic system (Numbers 19:2-10). "Pure religion" (James 1:27) means a practice true to God, and one not mixed with "defilement" of the world. And "Pure wisdom from above" (James 3:17) is that which the Lord has given in his word, without admixture of human wisdom. Finally, we should be devoted wholeheartedly to the Lord, and not try to mix the corruption of the world with our conduct. It is still true that "no man can serve two masters."