Pronunciation Guide: ek-kath-ah’-ee-ro (the ‘th’ is pronounced as in “thin”)
Basic Definition
Strong’s G1571: ἐκκαθαίρω (ekkathairō) refers to the act of thoroughly cleansing, purging, or cleaning out completely. It carries the sense of removing impurities from something valuable to restore it to its proper state. This compound verb emphasizes the thoroughness and completeness of the purification process, suggesting not a superficial cleaning but a deep and comprehensive removal of contamination.
Etymology and Morphology
- Verb (Present Active Imperative, 2nd Person Plural)
- Compound word from ἐκ (ek, “out of, from”) + καθαίρω (kathairō, “to cleanse, purify”)
- Primarily used in teaching and exhortation contexts
- Used metaphorically in the New Testament for moral and spiritual purification
- Carries intensified meaning compared to the simple verb καθαίρω
ἐκκαθαίρω Morphology:
- ἐκκαθάρατε (aorist active imperative, 2nd person plural) – cleanse out completely! (command to a group)
- ἐκκαθάρῃ (aorist active subjunctive, 3rd person singular) – he/she/it might thoroughly cleanse
- ἐκκαθᾶραι (aorist active infinitive) – to thoroughly cleanse
Origin & History
The compound verb ἐκκαθαίρω has roots in classical Greek usage where it described physical cleaning processes. In works by Xenophon and Demosthenes, it appears in contexts of clearing land, removing debris, or cleansing contaminated areas. The preposition ἐκ intensifies the basic verb καθαίρω, emphasizing the thoroughness of removal.
In the Septuagint (LXX), this term appears in several significant contexts. In 2 Chronicles 34:8, it describes King Josiah’s purification of the land and temple from idolatry. The LXX translators chose this term to convey the complete removal of pagan influences from Israel’s worship. This established an important precedent for the term’s association with religious purification and the removal of defiling elements from sacred contexts – a usage pattern that would continue into the New Testament era.
Expanded Definitions & Translation Options
- Complete removal of something defiling or corrupting
- Thorough purification process that restores proper condition
- The act of clearing away impurities to make something suitable for sacred use
- Purging completely to prevent further contamination
ἐκκαθαίρω Translation Options:
- “To cleanse out thoroughly” – emphasizes the completeness of the cleansing action
- “To purge entirely” – focuses on removal of corrupting elements
- “To clean out completely” – highlights the thoroughness of the process
- “To purify completely” – stresses the resulting state of purity
- “To remove thoroughly” – emphasizes the extraction component within the preposition ἐκ
Biblical Usage
The verb ἐκκαθαίρω appears only twice in the New Testament, yet in both instances carries profound theological implications. Its first appearance is in 1 Corinthians 5:7, where Paul commands the Corinthian believers to “clean out the old leaven” in the context of addressing serious moral issues within their community. The Passover imagery evokes the Jewish tradition of removing all leaven from homes before the festival, applying this physical purification practice as a metaphor for moral and spiritual cleansing.
The second occurrence is in 2 Timothy 2:21, where Paul describes how one who cleanses himself from dishonorable things becomes “a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work.” Here the verb conveys preparation for divine service through thorough purification.
- “Therefore purge out [ἐκκαθάρατε] the old leaven, that you may be a new lump, since you truly are unleavened. For indeed Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us.” 1 Corinthians 5:7
- “Therefore if anyone cleanses [ἐκκαθάρῃ] himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.” 2 Timothy 2:21
- “He has purged [ἐξεκάθαρεν] the land and the house of יהוה (Yahweh) his God.” 2 Chronicles 34:8 LXX
Cultural Insights
The concept of ἐκκαθαίρω would have resonated deeply with first-century Jewish believers through its connection to Passover preparations. The Torah commanded Israelites to remove all leaven (חָמֵץ, chametz) from their homes before Passover (Exodus 12:15). This process, known as biur chametz, was remarkably thorough—involving a meticulous search of the home with a candle the night before Passover (bedikat chametz), followed by a complete removal or destruction of any leaven found.
When Paul uses ἐκκαθαίρω in 1 Corinthians 5:7, he draws upon this cultural practice familiar to his audience. The Jewish believers would understand immediately that he wasn’t suggesting a casual or partial cleansing but rather the same diligent, comprehensive purification they practiced annually. The thoroughness of removing leaven—checking every corner, sweeping every surface, examining every vessel—illustrated the comprehensive spiritual purification Paul was calling for. Just as even a tiny amount of leaven would disqualify a home from being “unleavened,” so even seemingly small areas of sin required complete removal from the community.
Theological Significance
The concept of ἐκκαθαίρω carries profound theological weight in its limited New Testament appearances. The verb’s intensified meaning—not merely to clean, but to clean out thoroughly—reveals Yahweh’s standard for holiness. Partial purification is insufficient; the Lord calls His people to complete separation from sin and defilement. This reflects God’s own perfect holiness and His desire to see that holiness reflected in His covenant community.
When Paul applies this term to the Corinthian situation, he connects individual and corporate purification to the sacrificial work of the Messiah. “For indeed Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us” (1 Corinthians 5:7) provides the theological foundation for the purging command. Our ability to be thoroughly cleansed stems not from human effort alone, but from the perfect sacrifice of Jesus. The thoroughness of His atoning work enables the thoroughness of our purification. His blood doesn’t merely cover sin superficially but removes it completely, allowing believers to become “a new lump” (a new batch of dough), fundamentally transformed rather than merely improved.
Personal Application
The concept of ἐκκαθαίρω challenges believers to examine their approach to personal holiness. Are we content with superficial changes that leave the root systems of sin intact, or are we willing to engage in the sometimes painful process of thorough cleansing? Just as Passover cleaning required looking into every corner and crevice, spiritual purification requires honest self-examination under the light of God’s Word and Spirit.
This word also reminds us that purification is not an end in itself, but preparation for sacred use. In 2 Timothy 2:21, the result of being “cleansed out” is becoming “useful to the Master, prepared for every good work.” Our thorough purification isn’t merely about personal holiness—it’s about becoming vessels through which the Lord can work effectively in this world. When we allow the Spirit to thoroughly cleanse us, we become more available and suitable for the Master’s purposes.
Related Words
- καθαίρω (kathairō, kath-ah’-ee-ro) – to cleanse, purify without the intensification of “out from.” This simpler form emphasizes purification without necessarily the complete removal aspect. See G2508
- ἀποκαθαίρω (apokathairō, ap-ok-ath-ah’-ee-ro) – to cleanse away, restore to purity; carries a sense of restoration to original condition rather than just removal. See G603
- ἁγνίζω (hagnizō, hag-nid’-zo) – to purify, especially in ceremonial or ritual contexts; focuses on making something holy rather than just clean. See G48
- καθαρίζω (katharizō, kath-ar-id’-zo) – to cleanse, especially from disease or ritual impurity; often used of healing in the Gospels. See G2511
- διακαθαρίζω (diakatharizō, dee-ak-ath-ar-id’-zo) – to cleanse thoroughly by separating; emphasizes the separation aspect of purification. See G1245
Did You Know?
- Did you know that in ancient Greek agricultural contexts, ἐκκαθαίρω was used to describe the process of thoroughly weeding a field? Farmers understood that leaving even a single root of certain weeds would result in their return and spread. This agricultural background illuminates the thoroughness required in spiritual purification—leaving remnants of sin unaddressed ensures their eventual return and growth.
- Did you know that in modern Greek, derivatives of ἐκκαθαίρω are still used in contexts of purges, both literally (as in cleaning) and figuratively (as in removing corrupting influences from organizations)? The Greek term “εκκαθάριση” (ekkatharisi) is used in contemporary political and organizational contexts for removal of problematic elements—showing the enduring concept of thorough purification embedded in this ancient term.
- Did you know that the Essene community at Qumran practiced ritual purifications that exemplified the concept of ἐκκαθαίρω? Archaeological evidence suggests they had extensive ritual bathing pools (mikvaot) and practiced more frequent purifications than mainstream Judaism of the period. Their community rules emphasized complete separation from impurity, providing a contemporary cultural parallel to Paul’s exhortations to the Corinthians about thorough purification.
Remember This
ἐκκαθαίρω reminds us that in Yahweh’s economy, holiness is never a surface-level renovation but a thorough transformation that prepares us as worthy vessels for the Master’s sacred purposes.
