English · KJV
G2840

κοινόω

koinóō /koy-no'-o/ Ask about this word
Rootfrom κοινός
Meaningto make (or consider) profane (ceremonially)
KJV usagecall common, defile, pollute, unclean.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of koinóō — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Greek word koinóō, represented by G2840, defines the act of making something ceremonially profane or unclean. It appears 17 times across 12 unique verses in the Bible. Its core meaning is to make or consider something profane, and it is translated as to defile, pollute, or call common.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In the Gospels, G2840 is used by Jesus to redefine the nature of purity. He teaches that it is not what enters the mouth that defileth a person, but what comes out of the heart (Matthew 15:11, Matthew 15:18). This principle is emphasized repeatedly, stating that evil things coming from within are what truly defile the man Mark 7:23. The term is also used in a ceremonial context, such as in Peter's vision where a voice from heaven commands, "What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common" (Acts 10:15, Acts 11:9). It is also used in the accusation against Paul, who was charged with having polluted the holy temple by bringing Greeks into it Acts 21:28.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words provide a contrast to koinóō, highlighting the concepts of purity and holiness:

  • G2511 katharízō (to cleanse, purge, purify): This word serves as a direct antonym. It is used in God's command to Peter, "What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common" Acts 10:15. The blood of Jesus Christ is said to cleanse us from all sin 1 John 1:7.
  • G37 hagiázō (to make holy, purify, consecrate; sanctify): This describes the act of setting something apart as holy, the opposite of making it profane. In Hebrews, it is used to explain that Old Covenant sacrifices could sanctify the unclean for the purifying of the flesh Hebrews 9:13.
  • G2514 katharótēs (cleanness (ceremonially); purification): This noun refers to the state of achieved cleanness. It appears in direct connection with G2840 to describe the goal of Old Testament rituals, which led to "the purifying of the flesh" Hebrews 9:13.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of G2840 is significant, particularly in the transition from Old Covenant ceremony to New Covenant reality.

  • Redefining Defilement: Jesus uses koinóō to pivot the focus of purity from external rituals to internal morality. The things that truly defile a person are not foods but the evil things which "come from within" the heart Mark 7:23.
  • God's Authority to Cleanse: The use of koinóō in Peter's vision establishes God's absolute power to make clean what was previously considered common or unclean by ceremonial law, opening the way for the gospel to the Gentiles Acts 10:15.
  • Ultimate Purity: The word emphasizes the absolute holiness required to enter God's presence. The description of the New Jerusalem states that nothing that defileth will be allowed to enter, signifying a final and perfect state free from all sin Revelation 21:27.

Summary

In summary, G2840 is a crucial term for understanding the biblical concept of defilement. Its meaning progresses from the ceremonial pollution of places and people under the law (Acts 21:28, Hebrews 9:13) to the internal, moral impurity that Jesus identified as the true source of uncleanness Matthew 15:18. It illustrates a major theological shift, teaching that true purity is a matter of the heart, is accomplished by God alone, and is essential for entering His eternal kingdom.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Greek New Testament, this word appears as a verb and an adjective across 15 occurrences, inflected in 7 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form. Select any form to read what each part of its name means, and to filter the occurrence list to it.

  • κοινοῖ
  • κοινῶσαι
  • κοίνου
  • κοινοῦντα
  • κοινὸν
  • κεκοίνωκεν
  • κεκοινωμένους

Related Words

Related

Other entries the study above points to — each one is drawn from a reference it makes. Follow the trail to see how the words connect.

G2511 καθαρίζω to cleanse (literally or figuratively) G37 ἁγιάζω to make holy, i.e. (ceremonially) purify or consecrate G2514 καθαρότης cleanness (ceremonially)

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

Appears in 12 verses across 5 of the 27 books. Most frequent in Mark (4 verses); never once in the other 22.

3
Matthew
4
Mark
3
Acts
1
Hebrews
1
Revelation

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, by grammatical form, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.