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What does the Bible say about clean?

Bible Topic · WEB

The Bible teaches that true cleanliness is God’s gracious cleansing of sinful hearts, received through Christ and expressed in holy living. Jesus warns that outward respectability cannot replace inward purity, calling us first to be cleansed within (Matthew 23:26). Believers are cleansed from sin by the blood of Jesus as they walk in the light and confess their need of him (1 John 1:7). Christ’s word makes his people clean (John 15:3), and his death bears our sins so that we may live for righteousness (1 Peter 2:24). Because our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit and belong to God, we honor him in body and spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). Like David, we pray, “Create in me a clean heart” (Psalms 51:9-10).

Top passages, ranked by readers

Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible

  • Matthew 23:26

    You blind Pharisee, first clean the inside of the cup and of the platter, that the outside of it may become clean also.

  • 1 John 1:7

    But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ, his Son, cleanses us from all sin.

  • 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

    [19] Or don't you know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit which is in you, which you have from God? You are not your own, [20] for you were bought with a price. Therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's.

  • John 15:3

    You are already pruned clean because of the word which I have spoken to you.

  • 1 Peter 2:24

    who his own self bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live to righteousness; by whose stripes you were healed.

  • 1 Corinthians 6:19

    Or don't you know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit which is in you, which you have from God? You are not your own,

  • 2 Kings 5:10

    Elisha sent a messenger to him, saying, Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall come again to you, and you shall be clean.

  • Psalms 51:9-10

    [9] Hide your face from my sins, And blot out all of my iniquities. [10] Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a right spirit within me.

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