from καθαρός; to cleanse (literally or figuratively):--(make) clean(-se), purge, purify.
Transliteration:katharízō
Pronunciation:kath-ar-id'-zo
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek verb καθαρίζω (katharízō) is derived from the adjective καθαρός (katharós - `{{G2513}}`), meaning "clean" or "pure." At its core, καθαρίζω signifies the act of "making clean" or "purifying." Its semantic range encompasses several dimensions:
1. **Literal Cleansing:** This refers to the physical removal of dirt, defilement, or disease. Examples include cleansing lepers or purifying objects.
2. **Ceremonial Cleansing:** In a religious context, it denotes ritual purification required by the Mosaic Law, often involving specific rites to remove ritual impurity (e.g., after childbirth, contact with a corpse, or certain skin diseases).
3. **Moral/Spiritual Cleansing:** This is the most profound application, referring to the purification from sin, guilt, or moral defilement of the heart, conscience, or soul. This cleansing is often metaphorical, pointing to an internal transformation.
4. **Figurative Cleansing/Purging:** It can also describe the removal or purging of something undesirable or harmful, such as evil influences or corrupt practices.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The verb καθαρίζω appears frequently in the New Testament, particularly in the Gospels, Acts, and Hebrews, illustrating its diverse applications:
* **Physical Healing and Cleansing:** Most notably, it is used to describe Jesus' miraculous healing and cleansing of lepers. For example, in [[Matthew 8:3]], Jesus touches a leper and says, "Be clean!" and immediately the leprosy is cleansed. Similar accounts are found in [[Mark 1:40-42]] and [[Luke 5:12-13]], [[Luke 17:17]]. This demonstrates Jesus' divine authority over disease and His ability to restore individuals to physical health and, by extension, to community and ritual purity.
* **Ceremonial Purity in the Law:** The term is used in discussions about Jewish purity laws. In [[Mark 7:19]], Jesus' declaration, "thus he declared all foods clean," signifies a revolutionary shift from external dietary laws to an internal understanding of defilement. It also appears in contexts related to temple purification or ritual vows, such as in [[John 11:55]] and [[Acts 21:24]], where Paul participates in a purification rite.
* **Spiritual and Moral Purification:** This is the most significant theological usage.
* **Cleansing from Sin through Christ's Blood:** The Epistle to the Hebrews emphasizes that the blood of Christ cleanses the conscience from dead works to serve the living God ([[Hebrews 9:14]]). Similarly, [[1 John 1:7]] states that "the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin," and [[1 John 1:9]] promises that if we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. This highlights the complete and effective nature of Christ's atonement.
* **Purification of the Heart by Faith:** In [[Acts 15:9]], Peter declares that God cleansed the hearts of Gentiles by faith, underscoring that spiritual purity is not achieved by adherence to the Law but by trust in God.
* **Purification for God's Possession:** [[Titus 2:14]] states that Christ "gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works." This speaks to the sanctifying purpose of Christ's sacrifice.
* **Personal Responsibility for Purity:** Believers are exhorted to pursue purity, as seen in [[James 4:8]]: "Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded." This implies an active participation in the process of sanctification.
* **Cleansing of the Church:** In [[Ephesians 5:26]], Christ is said to have loved the church and given himself up for her, "that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word." This points to the ongoing purification of the church through the Word of God.
### Related Words & Concepts
The concept of cleansing and purity is deeply rooted in biblical theology, with καθαρίζω being part of a semantic family:
* **καθαρός (katharós - `{{G2513}}`):** The adjective "clean, pure," which is the root of καθαρίζω. It describes the state of being free from defilement.
* **καθαρότης (katharótēs - `{{G2512}}`):** The noun "cleanness, purity."
* **ἀγνίζω (agnízō - `{{G53}}`):** To purify, make holy, or consecrate. While closely related, ἀγνίζω often emphasizes ritual or moral purity in preparation for divine encounter or service, whereas καθαρίζω more broadly denotes the removal of defilement.
* **ἁγιάζω (hagiazō - `{{G37}}`):** To sanctify, make holy, or set apart for sacred use. This term often carries the nuance of dedication and consecration to God.
* **Old Testament Background:** The concept of καθαρίζω finds its rich theological precedent in the Hebrew Scriptures, particularly in the Levitical laws concerning טהר (tahar - `{{H2891}}`), "to be clean" or "to purify." The Septuagint (LXX) frequently uses καθαρίζω to translate these Hebrew terms, establishing a continuity of thought regarding ritual, moral, and spiritual purity from the Old Covenant to the New.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of καθαρίζω is profound, central to understanding salvation and sanctification:
* **Divine Initiative in Purity:** The Bible consistently presents God as the ultimate source and agent of cleansing. He is the one who purifies His people from sin and defilement, demonstrating His holiness and His desire for humanity's restoration.
* **Christ's Atoning Work:** The most crucial theological application of καθαρίζω is tied to the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ. His shed blood is the means by which humanity is truly cleansed from all sin. This cleansing is not merely a covering but a removal of sin's defilement, guilt, and power, providing complete forgiveness and reconciliation with God.
* **New Covenant Efficacy:** Unlike the Old Covenant sacrifices, which provided temporary and external ritual cleansing, Christ's sacrifice offers a once-for-all, internal, and spiritual cleansing that purifies the conscience and brings true inner transformation. This marks a fundamental shift from external observance to internal reality.
* **Foundation for Sanctification:** While justification involves the instantaneous cleansing from sin's guilt, καθαρίζω also speaks to the ongoing process of sanctification. Believers, having been justified, are called to progressively live out their new pure status, being continually cleansed by the Holy Spirit and the Word of God, growing in holiness and conformity to Christ.
* **Prerequisite for Fellowship with God:** A holy God demands purity from His people. The cleansing provided by Christ enables believers to draw near to God with a clean conscience and to live in fellowship with Him, reflecting His character in their lives.
### Summary
The Greek verb καθαρίζω (katharízō) fundamentally means "to cleanse" or "to make pure," deriving from the adjective "clean." Its usage in the New Testament spans literal physical healing, particularly in Jesus' cleansing of lepers, and ceremonial purification according to the Mosaic Law. However, its most profound application is in the realm of spiritual and moral purification. The theological significance of καθαρίζω is deeply rooted in the atoning work of Jesus Christ, whose blood effectively cleanses believers from all sin, providing a complete and permanent spiritual purity that surpasses the temporary nature of Old Testament rituals. This divine cleansing is foundational to justification and continues in the believer's ongoing sanctification, enabling a life of holiness and intimate fellowship with a pure and holy God.
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