Quick Definition
a spot, fault
Strong's Definition
a stain or blemish, i.e. (figuratively) defect, disgrace
Derivation: of uncertain derivation;
KJV Usage: spot
Thayer's Greek Lexicon
σπίλος (WH σπίλος (so Rutherford, New Phryn., p. 87; Liddell and Scott, under the word); but see Tdf. Proleg., p. 102; Lipsius, Gram. Untersuch., p. 42), σπιλου, ὁ (Phryn. rejects this word in favor of the Attic κηλίς; but σπίλος is used by Joseph, Dionysius Halicarnassus, Plutarch, Lucian, Liban, Artemidor.; see Lob. ad Phryn., p. 28 (cf. Winers Grammar, 25)), a spot: tropically, a fault, moral blemish, Eph_5:27; plural of base and gluttonous men, 2Pe_2:13.
Mounce Concise Greek Dictionary
σπίλος spilos 2x
a spot, stain, blot; a moral blemish, Eph_5:27 ; 2Pe_2:13
Abbott-Smith Greek Lexicon
* σπίλος
( Rec. σπῖλος ), -ου , ὁ ,
1. a rock, cliff ( Arist ., al. ).
2. In late writers = Att. . κηλίς ( v. Rutherford, NPhr. , 87 f .), a spot, stain; metaph .,
(a) of moral blemish: Eph_5:27 ;
(b) of riotous and lascivious persons ( cf. Dion. Hal., quoted by Mayor , in l ): 2Pe_2:13 .†
Moulton & Milligan — Vocabulary of the Greek NT
σπίλος [page 584]
originally rock, came in late Greek to be used = Attic κῆλις , spot, stain ; hence the metaph. usage in Eph_5:27 . With the application of σπίλος to persons in 2Pe_2:13 cf. Dion. Hal. Antt. iv. 24, p. 698 τοὺς δυσεκκαθάρτους σπίλους ἐκ τῆς πόλεως the dregs of humanity from the city. See further Rutherford NP p. 87 f.
STEPBible — Tyndale Abridged Greek Lexicon
σπίλος (Rec. σπῖλος), -ου, ὁ
__1. a rock, cliff (Arist., al.).
__2. In late writers = Att.. κηλίς (see Rutherford, NPhr., 87 f.), a spot, stain; metaphorically,
__(a) of moral blemish: Eph.5:27
__(b) of riotous and lascivious persons (cf. Dion. Hal., quoted by Mayor, in l): 2Pe.2:13.†
(AS)
📖 In-Depth Word Study
Spot (4696) spilos
Spot (4696) (spilos) (See antonym aspilos) originally meant a rock or cliff but in later Greek refers to that which constitutes an unwanted spot or stain upon something -- a stain, a disfiguring spot or blemish, defect. Metaphorically as used in this verse spilos refers to a moral blemish or a disgrace.
Spilos is used in Greek literature in Hermas in the allegory of the building of the tower, of certain stones, which represent people with serious faults.
Moulton and Milligan report the use of spilos in the expression, “the dregs of humanity from the city.”
In English dictionaries spot is a small mark on a surface and figuratively a moral flaw or taint on one's character or reputation. Spot suggests a conspicuous tinge of something offensive, such as a blemish, stain or other impurity, which renders the object no longer pristine or pure but rather contaminated in some way. A blemish is a shortcoming, a lack or an imperfection that impairs worth or utility.
Spilos is used only one other time by Peter who writes that the false teachers are...
suffering wrong as the wages of doing wrong. They count it a pleasure to revel in the daytime. They are stains (spilos) and blemishes, reveling in their deceptions, as they carouse with you, (See note 2 Peter 2:13)
Comment: Here spilos stands for immoral people attached to a godly community those who bring shame or cause disgrace. They are base, gluttonous, lascivious or riotous persons.
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