19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, [**uncleanness**], lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Romans 1:24-25
24 Therefore Elohim gave them up to [**uncleanness**] in the lust of their hearts, to disrespect their bodies among themselves, 25 who changed the truth of Elohim into the falsehood, and worshipped and served what was created rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amĕn
Dishonor/disrespect of the body ←→ Uncleanness
When you understand sin that leads to death, you will understand mercy and righteousness that leads to holiness.
When you have a sense of your own uncleanness, you will understand:
– sanctification/being set apart by faith/obedience to the Messiah (Acts 26:18)
– the holiness of God:
"Be holy for I am holy" (1 Peter 1:16)
"without holiness no man shall see the Lord (Hebrew 12:14).
– the fear of Yahuah, which is wisdom:
"the fear of Yahuah, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding." (Job 28:28)
"Come, you children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of Yahuah" (Psalm 34:11)
"And if you call on the Father, who without respect of persons judges according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear" (1 Peter 1:17, right after 1 Peter 1:16... did Peter "get it" or what?)
Note that righteousness leads to holiness (Romans 6:19). So, no sinner can walk that path. You must be set free from your sins. You must depart from iniquity (2 Timothy 2:19). Your mind must be renewed so that you know that you are not a sinner (not merely tagging the word "saint" upon you). You know what you have been delivered from, and that is your testimony of salvation bringing you to where you are today, to endure in the faith until the end (Matthew 10:22; John 15:4-6; Romans 11:22). If your mind is not renewed (Romans 12:1-2; Ephesians 4:23-24) to the point where you know that you are called righteous, a saint of the Most High and not a sinner, you need to swallow your pride and obey the truth: REPENT and BE CONVERTED (Acts 3:19).
(( Romans 6:16-19
16 Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness? 17 But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered. 18 And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness. 19 I speak in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented your members as slaves of uncleanness, and of lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves of righteousness for holiness. ))
Other passages on uncleanness:
Romans 6:19
I speak as a man, because of the weakness of your flesh. For even as you did present your members as servants of [**uncleanness**], and of lawlessness resulting in lawlessness, so now present your members as servants of righteousness resulting in set-apartness (holiness).
weak flesh ←→ uncleanness
(the weakest link ☞ thou doest well to eliminate it: crucify your flesh as those that are Christ's do - Galatians 5:24-25, through the Spirit - Romans 8:12-13)
Colossians 3:5-7
5 Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: 6 whoring, [**uncleanness**], passion, evil desire and greed of gain, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these the wrath of Elohim is coming upon the sons of disobedience, 7 in which you also once walked when you lived in them.
members ←→ uncleanness
This is not a listing of members but of the fruit of the members, which are body parts in which no good thing dwells (Romans 7:18). So then remember Romans 12:1: "present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service."
Ephesians 4:17-19
17 So this I say, and witness in the Master, that you should no longer walk as the gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind, 18 having been darkened in their understanding, having been estranged from the life of Elohim, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart, 19 who, having become callous, have given themselves up to indecency, to work all [**uncleanness**] with greediness.
Indecency ←→ uncleanness
Ephesians 5:1-4
1 Become, then, imitators of Elohim as beloved children. 2 And walk in love, as Messiah also has loved us, and gave Himself for us, a gift and an offering to Elohim (→→→Romans 12:1←←←) for a sweet-smelling fragrance. 3 But whoring and all [**uncleanness**], or greed of gain, let it not even be named among you, as is proper among set-apart ones (saints) – 4 neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather thanksgiving.
Whoring ←→ uncleanness
e.g. being a whore/whoremonger, fornicator, adulterer (incl. one who defiles oneself with another's spouse); involvement in prostitution, pornography, the sins that may accompanying masturbation and that start in the heart (impure heart/impure thoughts, shameful imaginations - Romans 6:21, Matthew 7:15, Mark 7:21-23);
1 Thessalonians 4:1-8
1 For the rest then, brothers, we beg you and call upon you in the Master Yahusha, that as you received from us how you should walk and to please Elohim, you should excel still more, 2 for you know what commands we gave you through the Master Yahusha. 3 For this is the desire of Elohim: your set-apartness (holiness)! – that you should abstain from whoring, 4 that ***each one of you should know how to possess his own vessel in set-apartness (holiness) and respect,*** 5 not in passion of lust, like the gentiles who do not know Elohim, 6 not to overstep and take advantage of his brother in this matter, because the Master is the revenger of all such, as we indeed said to you before and earnestly warned. 7 For Elohim did not call us to [**uncleanness**], but in set-apartness (holiness). 8 Therefore he who rejects this does not reject man, but Elohim, who also gives us His Set-apart (Holy) Spirit.
Uncleanness <> (contrasted with) set-apartness (holiness)
2 Corinthians 12:19-21
19 Again, think you that we excuse ourselves unto you? we speak before God in Christ: but we do all things, dearly beloved, for your edifying. 20 For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, and that I shall be found unto you such as you would not: lest there be debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults: 21 And lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and that I shall bewail many which have sinned already, and have not repented of the [**uncleanness**] and fornication and lasciviousness which they have committed.
Lasciviousness ←→ Uncleanness ←→ fornication (whoring)
(found together)
Galatians 5:19-21
19 And the works of the flesh are well-known, which are these: adultery, whoring, [**uncleanness**], indecency, 20 idolatry, drug sorcery, hatred, quarrels, jealousies, fits of rage, selfish ambitions, dissensions, factions, 21 envy, murders, drunkenness, wild parties, and the like – of which I forewarn you, even as I also said before, that those who practice such as these shall not inherit the reign of Elohim.
Romans 12:1-2
1 I call upon you, therefore, brothers, through the compassion of Elohim, to present your bodies a living offering – set-apart (holy), well-pleasing to Elohim – your reasonable worship. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you prove what is that good and well-pleasing and perfect desire of Elohim.
1 Corinthians 3:17-18
Do you not know that you are a Dwelling Place (temple) of Elohim and that the Spirit of Elohim dwells in you? If anyone destroys* (KJV: defile) the Dwelling Place of Elohim, Elohim shall destroy him. For the Dwelling Place of Elohim is set-apart (holy), which you are.
*The weaker word 'defile' found in the KJV is translated from the same word that means to 'destroy'.
What is a vessel? (a quick look)
"each one of you should know how to possess his own **vessel in set-apartness (holiness) and respect" (1 Thessalonians 4:4)
"In the same way, husbands, live understandingly together, giving respect to the wife, as to the weaker **vessel, and as being heirs together of the favour of life, so that your prayers are not hindered." (1 Peter 3:17)
Vessels were found notably in the holy place (tabernacle/temple). The priest/high priest dealt with various kinds of vessels in their service. They seem to be mere "utensils" that serve a purpose at the hands of the one who uses them. It's the same word being applied to a person in the new testament. If you have/are a vessel yourself, being a member of the body of Messiah, which is the temple of Elohim, that's a good reason to remain humble and in fear. What are you? Be what you are called to be in order to be useful to the Master.
2 Timothy 2:19-22
19 However, the solid foundation of Elohim stands firm, having this seal, “Yahuah knows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who names the Name of Messiah turn away from unrighteousness.” 20 But in a large house there are not only VESSELS of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some unto value and some unto no value. 21 If, then, anyone CLEANSES* HIMSELF from these matters, he shall be a VESSEL UNTO VALUE, HAVING BEEN SET APART (SANCTIFIED/MADE HOLY), OF GOOD USE TO THE MASTER, HAVING BEEN PREPARED FOR EVERY GOOD WORK. 22 And FLEE FROM THE LUSTS OF YOUTH, but PURSUE RIGHTEOUSNESS, BELIEF, LOVE, PEACE with those calling on the Master out of a CLEAN HEART.
What is defilement?
I argue that defilement can only be understood from a perspective of un-defilement, that is, cleanness.
2 Corinthians 6:17
Therefore, “Come out from among them and be separate, says Yahuah, and do not touch what is [**unclean**] (https://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm…), and I shall receive you.
1 Corinthians 7:13-14
13 And a woman who has an unbelieving husband, and he thinks well to live with her, let her not send him away. 14 For the unbelieving husband has been set-apart in the wife, and the unbelieving wife has been set-apart in the husband. Otherwise your children would be [**unclean**], but now they are set-apart (holy).
That is a great mystery...
Ephesians 5:25-27
25 Husbands, love your wives, as Messiah also did love the assembly (the church) and gave Himself for it, 26 in order to SET IT APART (sanctify it/make it holy) and CLEANSE IT (https://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/Lexicon/Lexicon.cfm…) with the WASHING OF WATER BY THE WORD, 27 in order to present it to Himself a splendid assembly, NOT HAVING SPOT OR WRINKLE or any of this sort, but that it might be SET-APART (holy) and BLAMELESS.
John 15:3
You are already CLEAN (https://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/Lexicon/Lexicon.cfm…) because of the Word which I have spoken to you.
Our heart/thoughts must be guarded clean/pure, or we open the door to uncleanness in them...
Philippians 4:8
For the rest, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is righteous, whatever is CLEAN (https://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm…), whatever is lovely, whatever is of good report, if there is any uprightness and if there is any praise – think on these.
Guarding our heart/thoughts implies controlling also what we let in through our senses (e.g. our eyes, ears...). And that, my friends, is very tricky. What I am seeing here is another level of tricky, along with a better appreciation of the call to holiness. It is prudent then to confess sins that we may not know of, like David thought to do in his wisdom (Psalm 19:12-13). The aim is to be cleared of all pollution that we may have allowed in ignorance (lack of knowledge destroys God's people - Hosea 4:6), or that we have inadvertently entertained, or that we have suffered by merely being exposed to uncleanness in our environment. That is the takeaway for me. Through this study, my mind has been renewed on this matter and transformation is effective immediately. May God help us all.
Psalm 19:12-13
12 Who discerns (his) mistakes? Declare me innocent from those that are secret, 13 Also keep Your servant back from presumptuous ones, Do not let them rule over me. Then shall I be perfect, and innocent of great transgression.
James 1:27
Clean and undefiled religion before the Elohim and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained (unspotted: https://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/Lexicon/Lexicon.cfm…) from the world.
☞ Therefore pursue holiness (Hebrews 12:14). Be transformed by the renewing of your mind (Romans 12:2), and strive to be holier than thou (thy old self).
Bible topic search: unclean/uncleanness
Original publication date: 2015-09-27
Last modified: 2020-09-10
