In the context of biblical literature and theology, the term "taint" refers to the presence of impurity, corruption, or moral defilement that affects individuals, communities, or even objects. The concept of taint is closely associated with sin, uncleanness, and the fallen nature of humanity. Throughout the Bible, the idea of taint is addressed in various ways, emphasizing the need for purification, redemption, and holiness.

Old Testament Context

The Old Testament frequently addresses the issue of taint through the laws and rituals given to the Israelites. The Levitical laws, in particular, provide detailed instructions on how to deal with physical and ceremonial uncleanness. For example, in Leviticus 11-15, various sources of impurity are identified, including certain foods, diseases, and bodily discharges. These laws underscore the importance of maintaining purity and the need for atonement and cleansing.

The concept of taint is also evident in the moral and spiritual corruption of individuals and nations. The prophets often spoke against the moral decay and idolatry of Israel and surrounding nations. Isaiah 1:4 laments, "Alas, sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a brood of evildoers, children of corruption! They have forsaken the LORD; they have despised the Holy One of Israel and turned their backs on Him."

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the concept of taint is expanded to include the inner moral and spiritual condition of individuals. Jesus Christ emphasized the importance of inner purity over mere external observance of the law. In Matthew 15:18-20 , Jesus teaches, "But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these things defile a man. For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, and slander. These are what defile a man, but eating with unwashed hands does not defile him."

The apostle Paul also addresses the issue of taint in his epistles, urging believers to live lives of holiness and to avoid the corrupting influences of the world. In 2 Corinthians 7:1 , Paul writes, "Therefore, beloved, since we have these promises, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that defiles body and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God."

Theological Implications

Theologically, the concept of taint underscores the pervasive nature of sin and the need for divine intervention to restore purity and holiness. The sacrificial system of the Old Testament foreshadows the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, whose atoning death and resurrection provide the means for cleansing from sin. Hebrews 9:14 states, "How much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from dead works, so that we may serve the living God!"

The doctrine of sanctification further explores the process by which believers are progressively cleansed from the taint of sin and conformed to the image of Christ. This ongoing work of the Holy Spirit involves both the initial act of justification and the lifelong pursuit of holiness.

Practical Application

For believers, the concept of taint serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining spiritual purity and integrity. It calls for vigilance against the influences of sin and the world, encouraging a life of repentance, faith, and obedience. The call to holiness is a central theme in the Christian life, as expressed in 1 Peter 1:15-16 : "But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do, for it is written: 'Be holy, because I am holy.'"1. (n.) A thrust with a lance, which fails of its intended effect.

2. (n.) An injury done to a lance in an encounter, without its being broken; also, a breaking of a lance in an encounter in a dishonorable or unscientific manner.

3. (v. i.) To thrust ineffectually with a lance.

4. (v. t.) To injure, as a lance, without breaking it; also, to break, as a lance, but usually in an unknightly or unscientific manner.

5. (v. t.) To hit or touch lightly, in tilting.

6. (v. t.) To imbue or impregnate with something extraneous, especially with something odious, noxious, or poisonous; hence, to corrupt; to infect; to poison; as, putrid substance taint the air.

7. (v. t.) Fig.: To stain; to sully; to tarnish.

8. (v. i.) To be infected or corrupted; to be touched with something corrupting.

9. (v. i.) To be affected with incipient putrefaction; as, meat soon taints in warm weather.

10. (n.) Tincture; hue; color; tinge.

11. (n.) Infection; corruption; deprivation.

12. (n.) A blemish on reputation; stain; spot; disgrace.

3471. moraino -- to be foolish
... to be foolish. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: moraino Phonetic Spelling:
(mo-rah'-ee-no) Short Definition: I make foolish, taint, make useless Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3471.htm - 7k

3392. miaino -- to stain, defile
... defile. Perhaps a primary verb; to sully or taint, ie Contaminate (ceremonially
or morally) -- defile. (memiammenois) -- 1 Occurrence. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3392.htm - 7k

The Instrumentality of the Wicked Employed by God, While He ...
... BOOK FIRST. OF THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD THE CREATOR CHAPTER 18. THE INSTRUMENTALITY
OF THE WICKED EMPLOYED BY GOD, WHILE HE CONTINUES FREE FROM EVERY TAINT. ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 18 the instrumentality of.htm

The Instance of King Uzziah who was Overcome by the Taint of the ...
... Prolegomena. Chapter XI. The instance of King Uzziah who was overcome by
the taint of the same malady. Of Uzziah, the ancestor of ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter xi the instance of.htm

From' and 'to'
... natural descent which only now for the first time is beginning to receive its due
attention on the part of men of science, by heredity have the taint upon them ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture st john chaps xv to xxi/from and to.htm

Introduction
... to the flesh and spirit, to every one of His commandments; who are filled inseparably
with the grace of God, and are purified from every strange taint, [I wish ...
/.../ignatius/the epistle of ignatius to the romans/introduction.htm

The Jerusalem Sinner Saved;
... the whole law is violated; and, however in some the moral leprosy does not make
such fearful ravages as in others, the slightest taint conveys moral, spiritual ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the jerusalem sinner saved.htm

From Apostolic Teaching Tertullian Turns to that of Companions of ...
... Then, upon returning on the seventh day, if he should have perceived the taint to
have become diffused in the party-walls, he was to order those stones in ...
/.../tertullian/on modesty/chapter xx from apostolic teaching tertullian.htm

Whether the Remnants of Sin are Removed when a Mortal Sin is ...
... without delivering him wholly; for He wholly healed the man on the Sabbath, since
He delivered his body from all disease, and his soul from all taint." Now the ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether the remnants of sin.htm

The Disciple, -- Sometimes this Question is Asked, "Since God is ...
... salty, because they have life in them; so the man of prayer, though he has to live
in this sin-defiled world, remains free of the sinful taint, because by ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/singh/at the masters feet/section i the disciple 3.htm

Caste viewed as a Doer
... Food thus contaminated would, if eaten, communicate a taint to the souls as well
as bodies of the eaters, a taint which could only be removed by long and ...
/.../wilson-carmichael/things as they are/chapter xi caste viewed as.htm

On the Feast of the Nativity, ii.
... conceived by a Virgin, born of a Virgin, without paternal desire, without injury
to the mother's chastity: because such a birth as knew no taint of human flesh ...
/.../leo/writings of leo the great/sermon xxii on the feast.htm

Taint (1 Occurrence)
... with something extraneous, especially with something odious, noxious, or poisonous;
hence, to corrupt; to infect; to poison; as, putrid substance taint the air ...
/t/taint.htm - 7k

Gods (310 Occurrences)
... they went from them." Ezekiel declares (16:3), "The Amorite was thy father, and
thy mother was a Hittite," referring doubtless to the idolatrous taint in the ...
/g/gods.htm - 60k

Undefiled (7 Occurrences)
... Blessed are they that are perfect in the way." In the New Testament amiantos, presents
the negative side, "unstained" "unsullied" "without taint." Used to ...
/u/undefiled.htm - 9k

Leprosy (51 Occurrences)
... This divine power so manifested illustrates his gracious dealings with men in curing
the leprosy of the soul, the fatal taint of sin. Noah Webster's Dictionary. ...
/l/leprosy.htm - 37k

Gomer (7 Occurrences)
... This need not mean that at the time of marriage she was thus depraved, but she had
the evil taint in her blood, had inherited immoral instincts. ...
/g/gomer.htm - 11k

Insincerity (5 Occurrences)
... (See RSV). Titus 2:7 and above all make your own life a pattern of right conduct,
having in your teaching no taint of insincerity, but a serious tone, (WEY). ...
/i/insincerity.htm - 8k

Tails (4 Occurrences)

/t/tails.htm - 7k

Tainted (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) of Taint. Multi-Version Concordance
Tainted (1 Occurrence). Luke 16:11 If therefore you have ...
/t/tainted.htm - 6k

Tone (9 Occurrences)
... Titus 2:7 and above all make your own life a pattern of right conduct, having in
your teaching no taint of insincerity, but a serious tone, (WEY). ...
/t/tone.htm - 11k

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