Topical Encyclopedia
In biblical literature, the term "blots" is often used metaphorically to describe moral or spiritual blemishes, stains, or imperfections that mar the purity of an individual or community. The concept of blots is closely associated with sin, guilt, and the need for divine forgiveness and cleansing.
Old Testament ReferencesThe idea of blots appears in the Old Testament, where it is often linked to the consequences of sin and the need for atonement. In
Deuteronomy 29:20, the Lord warns of the consequences for those who turn away from Him: "The LORD will never be willing to forgive him; His wrath and zeal will burn against that man. All the curses written in this book will fall upon him, and the LORD will blot out his name from under heaven." Here, the blotting out of a name signifies divine judgment and exclusion from the covenant community.
In the Psalms, the plea for forgiveness and cleansing from sin is expressed in terms of removing blots.
Psalm 51:1-2 reads, "Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your loving devotion; according to Your great compassion, blot out my transgressions. Wash me clean of my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin." The psalmist seeks God's mercy to erase the stains of sin, highlighting the need for divine intervention to restore purity.
New Testament ReferencesIn the New Testament, the concept of blots is further developed in the context of the Christian life and the call to holiness. In
Ephesians 5:25-27 , the apostle Paul writes about Christ's love for the church: "Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her to sanctify her, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to Himself as a glorious church, without stain or wrinkle or any such blemish, but holy and blameless." Here, the absence of blots is associated with the sanctifying work of Christ, who purifies the church to be holy and without blemish.
The apostle Peter also addresses the issue of blots in the context of false teachers and immoral behavior. In
2 Peter 2:13 , he warns, "They will be paid back with harm for the harm they have done. Their idea of pleasure is to carouse in broad daylight. They are blots and blemishes, reveling in their deceptions as they feast with you." Peter uses the imagery of blots to describe the moral corruption and deceit of false teachers, contrasting their behavior with the purity expected of believers.
Theological ImplicationsTheologically, blots represent the moral and spiritual imperfections that separate humanity from God. The biblical narrative emphasizes the need for divine forgiveness and cleansing to remove these blots, restoring individuals to a state of righteousness. This cleansing is ultimately fulfilled through the sacrificial work of Jesus Christ, who offers redemption and purification to all who believe.
The imagery of blots serves as a powerful reminder of the seriousness of sin and the transformative power of God's grace. Believers are called to live lives that reflect the holiness and purity of Christ, striving to be without blemish in a world marred by sin.
Library
Blessed be He thatBlots Out in Water Misdeeds that are Without...
... Blessed be He thatblots out in water misdeeds that are without measure!
(Resp."Blessed be He thatblots out in water misdeeds that are without measure!)...
Whether Slight Contrition Suffices to Blot Out Great Sins?
... out all sins. On the contrary, Every sanctifying graceblots out every mortal
sin, because it is incompatible therewith. Now every...
Whether it is Necessary to have Contrition for Each Mortal Sin?
... sin. Now one Baptismblots out all sins both actual and original. Therefore
one general contritionblots out all mortal sins. On...
The Grace of God
... after year, the recording work was being done until your record became blacker than
the blackest midnight; and behold the hand that made the recordblots it out...
Almsgiving and Forgiveness
... can say, "Our Father who art in heaven," who have already been reborn to such a
Father "by water and the Spirit." [155] This prayer completelyblots out our...
The Tenses
... This is the one book in the library that many people do not like to take down and
read, for there are so manyblots in it, and so many humbling records; yet...
Found by Jesus, and Finding Jesus
... past career; it sheds another light on all the years that have gone by If he has
lived in sin, as no doubt he has, the transaction of that dayblots out all...
2 Sam. 23:4-5. Without Clouds.
... he turns to his own family, and sorrowfully says, " My house is not so with God."
It is not perfect, it is not free from sin, and it hasblots and blemishes of...
Morning Hymn
... Prove Thou my heart, my every thought, Search into all that I have wrought: Though
I be stained withblots within, Thy quickening rays shall purge my sin....
Native Christians (Continued).
... I suppose there is no community of any extent that has not unworthy members, persons
that may be called its excrescence andblots, who have increased its size...
Thesaurus
Blots (2 Occurrences)...Blots (2 Occurrences).
... Isaiah 43:25 I, even I, am he who
blots out your transgressions
for my own sake; and I will not remember your sins. (WEB RSV NIV).
...Blot (23 Occurrences)
... 6. (vt) To dry, as writing, with blotting paper. 7. (vi) To take a blot; as, this
paperblots easily. 8. (n.) A spot or stain, as of ink on paper; a blur....
Blotted (15 Occurrences)
Punishment (417 Occurrences)
... The rejection of this doctrine "cuts the ground from under the gospel...blots out
the attribute of retributive justice; transmutes sin into misfortune instead...
Transgressions (64 Occurrences)
... (See JPS ASV DBY YLT NAS RSV). Isaiah 43:25 I, even I, am he whoblots out your
transgressions for my own sake; and I will not remember your sins....
Cloud (119 Occurrences)
... 4. Clouds Blot Out: As the black cloud covers the sky andblots out the sun from
sight, so Yahweh promises "to blot out the sins" of Israel (Isaiah 44:22...
Genealogy (29 Occurrences)
... This peculiarity is the more marked when we notice that these names introduce what
would be considered seriousblots in the family history of the Davidic house...
Jesus (10891 Occurrences)
... This peculiarity is the more marked when we notice that these names introduce what
would be considered seriousblots in the family history of the Davidic house...
Christ (573 Occurrences)
... This peculiarity is the more marked when we notice that these names introduce what
would be considered seriousblots in the family history of the Davidic house...
Resources
Does God really forget our sins? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean that God has removed our sins from us “as far as the east is from the west” (Psalm 103:12)? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
