### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek word ῥυπαρός (rhyparós) is an adjective derived from the noun ῥύπος (rhupos) `{{G4509}}`, meaning "dirt" or "filth." Its primary literal sense is "dirty," "foul," or "unclean." This physical meaning extends semantically to describe things that are "shabby," "cheap," or "poor quality," often implying a state of neglect or disrepair due to accumulated dirt or lack of care. Crucially, ῥυπαρός also carries a significant moral and spiritual connotation, signifying "wicked," "morally defiled," "unjust," or "contemptible." The English translation "vile" (KJV) effectively captures both the sense of physical degradation and moral depravity inherent in the word.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
ῥυπαρός appears only twice in the New Testament, both instances offering distinct yet complementary insights into its meaning:
* **[[James 2:2]]**: "For if a man wearing a gold ring, in fine clothing, comes into your assembly, and a poor man in ῥυπαρός (dirty/shabby) clothing also comes in..."
In this context, ῥυπαρός describes the clothing of a poor man. The passage condemns the sin of partiality within the believing community, where the wealthy are given preferential treatment over the poor. The "dirty" or "shabby" clothing signifies poverty, low social status, and perhaps a lack of means to maintain cleanliness or acquire better attire. Here, the word highlights an outward appearance that, in human prejudice, leads to social and spiritual marginalization, which James emphatically opposes. The "dirtiness" is not a moral failing of the person, but a descriptor of their material condition.
* **[[Revelation 22:11]]**: "Let the one who is ῥυπαρός (filthy/unjust) be ῥυπαρός (filthy/unjust) still; and let the one who is righteous be righteous still; and let the one who is holy be holy still."
In Revelation, the meaning of ῥυπαρός shifts decisively to the moral and spiritual realm. This verse is part of the concluding pronouncements of the book, emphasizing the finality of one's spiritual state at the eschatological climax. The "filthy" (ῥυπαρός) here refers to moral uncleanness, injustice, and persistent wickedness. It stands in stark contrast to "righteous" (δίκαιος `{{G1342}}`) and "holy" (ἅγιος `{{G40}}`). The declaration implies that those who have definitively chosen a path of moral defilement will remain in that state, facing the immutable consequences of their unrepentant sin. This usage underscores the severe and ultimate nature of divine judgment upon those who reject spiritual purity.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **ῥύπος (rhupos) `{{G4509}}`**: The noun from which ῥυπαρός is derived, meaning "dirt" or "filth." Understanding the root reinforces the core idea of physical or moral impurity.
* **ἀκάθαρτος (akathartos) `{{G169}}`**: "Unclean, impure." Often used in a ritual, ceremonial, or moral sense, bearing a strong conceptual overlap with the moral application of ῥυπαρός.
* **μιαίνω (miainō) `{{G3392}}`**: "To defile, pollute." This verb describes the act of making something ῥυπαρός or ἀκάθαρτος.
* **ἀνομία (anomia) `{{G458}}`**: "Lawlessness, iniquity." Represents the state of moral wickedness or rebellion against God's law, which ῥυπαρός can describe.
* **πτωχός (ptōchos) `{{G4434}}`**: "Poor, beggarly." This term is directly relevant to the context of [[James 2:2]], where ῥυπαρός clothing signifies the economic hardship of the poor.
* **δίκαιος (dikaios) `{{G1342}}`**: "Righteous, just." This is the direct antonym presented in [[Revelation 22:11]], highlighting the profound moral contrast.
* **ἅγιος (hagios) `{{G40}}`**: "Holy, set apart." Another antonym in [[Revelation 22:11]], emphasizing spiritual purity and consecration to God.
### Theological Significance
The dual usage of ῥυπαρός presents a robust theological insight into the nature of human condition, ethical conduct, and divine judgment. In [[James 2:2]], it serves as a powerful indictment of *social sin*—the sin of partiality and discrimination based on outward appearance. God shows no favoritism, and the church, as His body, is called to reflect this divine impartiality, embracing the marginalized and valuing inner worth over external status. The "dirty" clothing of the poor man is a sign of material hardship, not moral deficiency, and to despise such a one is to despise Christ himself ([[Matthew 25:40]]).
In [[Revelation 22:11]], ῥυπαρός carries profound *eschatological and moral significance*. It underscores the finality of one's spiritual state at the culmination of human history. The declaration that the "filthy" will remain filthy is not a divine command to persist in sin, but a solemn statement about the immutable character of those who have definitively and persistently rejected God's grace and embraced wickedness. This serves as a stark warning and a call to immediate repentance, emphasizing that the opportunity for spiritual transformation is limited to this life, before the final, irreversible judgment.
Together, these two occurrences reveal that "dirtiness" can signify both a state of material hardship (demanding compassion and justice) and a state of profound moral corruption (demanding repentance and leading to ultimate judgment). The biblical narrative consistently calls for inner purity over outward show and issues severe warnings against the defilement of sin.
### Summary
The Greek word ῥυπαρός (rhyparós) fundamentally means "dirty" or "filthy," extending to "shabby" for physical objects and, crucially, "morally wicked" or "vile" for character. Its two New Testament occurrences, both in the New Testament, illuminate its diverse applications. In [[James 2:2]], ῥυπαρός describes the "shabby" clothing of the poor, condemning partiality within the church and advocating for compassion over social discrimination. Conversely, in [[Revelation 22:11]], the term signifies moral defilement, declaring that those who are "filthy" in character will remain so at the final judgment, emphasizing the gravity of unrepentant sin and the finality of one's spiritual state. Thus, ῥυπαρός encapsulates both the physical manifestation of poverty, which demands Christian charity, and the profound spiritual uncleanness of sin, which leads to divine condemnation.
TRV