Definition and Meaning:
The term "tarnish" generally refers to the loss of luster or shine, often due to exposure to air or moisture, resulting in a dull or discolored appearance. In a biblical context, tarnish can symbolize moral or spiritual corruption, impurity, or the loss of righteousness and holiness.

Biblical References and Symbolism:
While the specific word "tarnish" may not appear frequently in the Bible, the concept is often illustrated through metaphors and imagery related to purity, holiness, and the consequences of sin. The Bible frequently uses the imagery of precious metals and garments to convey spiritual truths, where tarnishing represents the degradation of what is pure and valuable.

1. Metaphor of Precious Metals:
In the Scriptures, gold and silver are often used as symbols of purity and value. The process of refining these metals is a metaphor for spiritual purification. For instance, in Malachi 3:3 , it is written, "He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; He will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver." Tarnish, in this context, would represent the impurities that need to be removed to achieve holiness.

2. Garments and Righteousness:
The Bible frequently uses the imagery of garments to represent righteousness. In Revelation 3:4 , it is stated, "But you do have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their garments, and because they are worthy, they will walk with Me in white." Here, soiled or tarnished garments symbolize sin and moral failure, contrasting with the purity of white garments, which represent righteousness and holiness.

3. Moral and Spiritual Corruption:
Tarnish can also symbolize the moral and spiritual corruption that results from sin. In James 1:27 , believers are exhorted to "keep oneself unstained by the world." The idea of being "unstained" or untarnished by worldly influences underscores the call to maintain spiritual purity and integrity.

Theological Implications:
From a theological perspective, the concept of tarnish underscores the human condition of sin and the need for divine intervention to restore purity and righteousness. The process of sanctification, akin to the refining of metals, involves the removal of spiritual tarnish through repentance, faith, and the transformative work of the Holy Spirit.

Practical Application:
Believers are encouraged to examine their lives for areas of spiritual tarnish and to seek God's cleansing and renewal. This involves regular self-reflection, confession of sins, and a commitment to living according to God's standards. The pursuit of holiness is a continual process, requiring vigilance against the influences that can tarnish one's spiritual life.

In summary, while the term "tarnish" itself may not be explicitly used in the Bible, its symbolic meaning is woven throughout Scripture, illustrating the contrast between the purity God desires and the corruption that sin brings.1. (v.) To soil or diminish the appearance of, especially induced by the air, or by dust, or the like; to diminish, dull, or destroy the luster of; to sully; as, to tarnish a metal; to tarnish gilding; to tarnish the purity of color.

2. (v. i.) To lose luster; to become dull; as, gilding will tarnish in a foul air.

3. (n.) The quality or state of being tarnished; stain; soil; blemish.

4. (n.) A thin film on the surface of a metal, usually due to a slight alteration of the original color; as, the steel tarnish in columbite.

The Flight of the Woman.
... fire, celibacy, &c., &c.), "now so prevailed as in course of time almost to thrust
true religion aside, or at least to exceedingly obscure and tarnish it.". ...
/.../bliss/a brief commentary on the apocalypse/the flight of the woman.htm

Be Thou My Friend.
... And yet, Thou wentst that way! And Thou couldst weep with sorrow,. Or share our
bridal mirth,. And yet no tarnish borrow. From this polluted earth. ...
/.../borthwick/hymns from the land of luther/be thou my friend.htm

Concerning a Stratagem that was Devised by the Jews, by which they ...
... his life. But Cornelius his brother persuaded him on the contrary, not
to tarnish his own glory, nor that of the Roman army. He ...
/.../chapter 3 concerning a stratagem.htm

The Attributes of Goodness and Justice Should not be Separated ...
... Do not suppose that His function as a judge must be defined as beginning when
evil began, and so tarnish His justice with the cause of evil. ...
/.../the five books against marcion/chapter xii the attributes of goodness.htm

The Marcionites Charged God with Having Instigated the Hebrews to ...
... object which (as is now plain) they severally have in view, when they put forth
such assertions and protestations as shall obscure and tarnish the rekindled ...
/.../the five books against marcion/chapter xx the marcionites charged god.htm

That Bacchides was Again Sent Out against Judas; and How Judas ...
... rather stand to it courageously, and bear whatsoever comes upon me, than by now
running away bring reproach upon my former great actions, or tarnish their glory ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 11 that bacchides was.htm

April the Thirtieth the Test of victory
... compliments of his audience. He "behaved wisely." So many of us tarnish our
victories by the manner in which we display them. We put them ...
/.../my daily meditation for the circling year/april the thirtieth the test.htm

This Estate Wherein I am Placed is the Best for Me Tho' ...
... Riches are but tarnish and gilded vanities, honours are but airy and empty bubbles,
affections are but winds, perhaps too great for such a ship as mine, of too ...
/.../traherne/centuries of meditations/89 this estate wherein i.htm

On the Keeping of Easter.
... But even if this were not so, it would still be your duty not to tarnish your
soul by communications with such wicked people [the Jews]. ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/on the keeping of easter.htm

Whether Man by the Power of his Soul Can Change Corporeal Matter?
... And the eyes infect the air which is in contact with them to a certain distance:
in the same way as a new and clear mirror contracts a tarnish from the look of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether man by the power.htm

Tarnish (1 Occurrence)
... the appearance of, especially induced by the air, or by dust, or the like; to diminish,
dull, or destroy the luster of; to sully; as, to tarnish a metal; to ...
/t/tarnish.htm - 7k

Stain (6 Occurrences)
... 3. (vt) To spot with guilt or infamy; to bring reproach on; to blot; to soil;
to tarnish. ... 8. (n.) Taint of guilt; tarnish; disgrace; reproach. ...
/s/stain.htm - 9k

Injure (16 Occurrences)
... health. (b) To damage or lessen the value of, as goods or estate. (c) To
slander, tarnish, or impair, as reputation or character. (d ...
/i/injure.htm - 11k

Tarpelites (1 Occurrence)

/t/tarpelites.htm - 7k

Taint (1 Occurrence)
... air. 7. (vt) Fig.: To stain; to sully; to tarnish. 8. (vi) To be infected
or corrupted; to be touched with something corrupting. ...
/t/taint.htm - 7k

Darken (3 Occurrences)
... 4. (v.) To cast a gloom upon. 5. (v.) To make foul; to sully; to tarnish. 6. (vi)
To grow or darker. Multi-Version Concordance Darken (3 Occurrences). ...
/d/darken.htm - 7k

Defile (63 Occurrences)
... See Defilade. 5. (vt) To make foul or impure; to make filthy; to dirty; to befoul;
to pollute. 6. (vt) To soil or sully; to tarnish, as reputation; to taint. ...
/d/defile.htm - 38k

Dirty (9 Occurrences)
... 6. (vt) To tarnish; to sully; to scandalize; -- said of reputation, character,
etc. Multi-Version Concordance Dirty (9 Occurrences). ...
/d/dirty.htm - 9k

Dull (16 Occurrences)
... feelings, the perceptions, and the like. 10. (vt) To render dim or obscure;
to sully; to tarnish. 11. (vt) To deprive of liveliness ...
/d/dull.htm - 12k

Blemish (71 Occurrences)
... defective, either the body or mind. 2. (vt) To tarnish, as reputation
or character; to defame. 3. (n.) Any mark of deformity or ...
/b/blemish.htm - 31k

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