One time, some scribes and Pharisees were offended because Jesus’ disciples did not wash their hands before eating. Jesus responded with this.“There is nothing outside the man which, going into him, can defile him; But the things which proceed out of the man are what defile the man” (Mk 7:15). Later, the disciples questioned Jesus about this. He added, “That which proceeds out of the man, that is what defiles the man. For from within, out of the heart of man, proceed the evil thoughts and fornications, thefts, murders, adulteries, deeds of coveting and wickedness, as well as deceit, envy, slander, pride and foolishness. All these evil things proceed from within and defile the man” (Mk 7:20 -23). The word we are interested in, is the one translated, “defile.”The verb is “koinoo”, and the noun is “koinos.”Before giving you the definition, let me give you a clue.For centuries, many thought the New Testament was written in a “Greek from God” – holy, heavenly and undefiled by man. But archaeological digs began unearthing shopping lists and land deeds written in the same Greek in the same time period! It was evident that the New Testament was actually written in that day’s common language! It is now called Koine Greek Common Greek – from “koino”(v) and “koinos” (n).Koine Greek has many words that are morally neutral. Context determines if they are to be understood as positive or negative. For example, Jesus told His disciples, “I have earnestly desired (epithumeo) to eat this Passover with you before I suffer” (Lk 22:15). But elsewhere, “everyone who looks on a woman to lust (epithumeo) for her has committed adultery with her already in his heart” (Mt 5:28). The first context is obviously positive, while the other clearly isn’t. Such is the case with, “koinoo” (v), “koinos” (n). In a more positive light it means, “universal, generic, widespread common.”Thus, Koine Greek. But in a negative light, this word means, “profane, inferior – defiled.”Such is the context in Mark 7: 15, 20-23.The Bible clearly teaches that man’s normal condition – his common state – is one of moral defilement. “What man is there among you, when his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for an egg, he will not give him a scorpion will he? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your heavenly Father give what is good to those who ask Him?” (Mt 7:9-11). To be defiled is the common state of man.The world has its own definition of what makes one common or uncommon. Fame makes one uncommon. Power makes one uncommon. Wealth makes one uncommon. But a heart that exudes “evil thoughts and fornications (NT Greek = intimate physical immorality of any sort), thefts, murders, adulteries, deeds of coveting and wickedness, as well as deceit, envy, slander, pride and foolishness” resides in a Commoner.To some scoffing Pharisees, Jesus said, “You are those who make yourselves righteous in the sight of men, but God knows your hearts; for that which is highly esteemed among men is detestable in the sight of God” (Lk 16:15). One’s position in life does not influence God’s assessment in this area – and that is a great encouragement. So, our conduct at any given time, determines how God sees us – either as uncommon … or common.I wish I could say I have arrived at the position of uncommon. But I do not think this is a spot anyone permanently occupies in this age. Sin that abounding, common element constantly pounds inside and outside each of us. When I violate God’s measure for uncommonness, I make myself … a common man. Anyone could do what I just did. Sometimes sin deceives me, and sometimes it blinds me. But many times, I just decide to participate with it. Oftentimes, by choice, I become a Commoner.This life is one of continual process, change and challenge. Ultimately, God alone determines our commonness, or uncommonness, event by event. Oftentimes, we do not know how we fared (or are faring) in a given situation. But, fortunately, passages like Mark 7, provide benchmarks so we can accurately assess ourselves in most circumstances.So, at any particular time, we are viewed by God as uncommon … or common. “There is nothing outside the man which, going into him, can make him common; But, the things which proceed out of the man are what common the man . For from within, out of the heart of man, proceed the evil thoughts and fornications, thefts, murders, adulteries, deeds of coveting and wickedness, as well as deceit, envy, slander, pride and foolishness. All these evil things proceed from within and common the man” (Mk 7:15 , 20-23).I do not want to stay a Commoner. I want God to be able to assess me as more and more uncommon. I want to give God the opportunity to say to those around Him, “What do you think of my son, Robin? Have you seen how uncommon he is?”This matter rests in our hands.Copyright 2007