Common
The Meaning of "Common" in Biblical Language
The Greek word koinos, translated as "common," carries a dual meaning in the New Testament. Primarily, it signifies what is public, general, shared, or universal—the opposite of private or peculiar (idios). This positive sense appears in phrases like "common faith" (Titus 1:4) and "common salvation" (Jude 1:3), emphasizing the shared experience of all believers in the one body of Christ (Ephesians 4:4-6). However, koinos also developed a secondary, ritual meaning: that which is ordinary, profane, or ceremonially unclean, as opposed to what is holy or set apart for God.
Old Testament Foundations: Separation and Holiness
The Old Testament establishes a framework where holiness requires separation from what is "common." Israel was called to be "a kingdom of priests and a holy nation" (Exodus 19:6), distinct from surrounding peoples. This separation extended to dietary laws, where certain animals were declared "unclean" (Leviticus 11). Vessels, times, places, and people could be consecrated for holy use or considered common for ordinary use. The priestly system maintained strict boundaries between the holy and the common, the clean and the unclean (Ezekiel 22:26). This system taught Israel about God's holiness and their call to reflect it.
The New Testament Revolution: From Common to Clean
The New Testament records a dramatic redefinition of "common" through the work of Christ. The pivotal moment occurs in Acts 10 in Peter's vision. When commanded to eat animals declared unclean in Levitical law, Peter responds, "I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean" (Acts 10:14). God's reply—"What God has made clean, do not call common" (Acts 10:15)—signals a theological earthquake. This vision directly prepared Peter to welcome Cornelius, a Gentile, into the Christian community, demonstrating that the gospel breaks down barriers between Jew and Gentile (Acts 10:34-35).
Jesus himself challenged purity boundaries by touching lepers (Mark 1:41), dining with sinners (Mark 2:16), and declaring all foods clean (Mark 7:19). The early church wrestled with this shift, as seen in the Jerusalem Council's decision not to burden Gentile believers with Old Testament purity laws (Acts 15:19-20).
Theological Implications: Universal Grace and Sanctified Creation
The transformation of "common" carries profound theological significance. First, it reveals the universal scope of salvation. If God has cleansed what was once considered profane, then no person or nation is inherently excluded from grace (Romans 10:12-13). Second, it points to the redemption of all creation. In Christ, the ordinary aspects of daily life—eating, drinking, working—can be received with thanksgiving and sanctified by God's word (1 Timothy 4:4-5). The physical world is not inherently opposed to the spiritual but is a theater of God's glory.
Third, it redefines holiness. While the Old Testament emphasized separation from the common, the New Testament emphasizes transformation of the common. Believers are called to offer their ordinary lives as spiritual worship (Romans 12:1). The shared (koinos) life of the early church—holding possessions in common (Acts 2:44)—reflects this new reality where community transcends old divisions.
Practical Application for Believers
For contemporary readers, the biblical concept of "common" challenges us to examine our own distinctions between sacred and secular. The New Testament invites Christians to view all of life as potentially sacred when lived in obedience to Christ (Colossians 3:17). It warns against creating new purity codes that exclude people or devalue God's good creation. At the same time, it calls for discernment, as some things remain morally and spiritually corrupt even if ceremonially clean (1 Corinthians 8:7-13). The principle remains: "So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God" (1 Corinthians 10:31).
Biblical Context
The concept of "common" appears throughout Scripture, with its meaning evolving significantly between the Testaments. In the Old Testament, it is closely tied to the Levitical purity system in books like Leviticus, Ezekiel, and Daniel, where the distinction between holy and common, clean and unclean, is foundational to Israel's identity. In the New Testament, the Greek word koinos appears 23 times, primarily in the Gospels (Mark 7), Acts (chapters 10, 11), and the Pauline and General Epistles (Romans, Hebrews, Jude). Key narratives include Jesus's teaching on defilement (Mark 7:14-23), Peter's vision (Acts 10:9-16), and the Jerusalem Council (Acts 15). The concept plays a crucial role in the early church's struggle to include Gentiles and define Christian practice apart from Jewish ceremonial law.
Theological Significance
The transformation of "common" from a negative (profane) to a positive (shared) category is theologically central to understanding the gospel's scope. It demonstrates that salvation through Christ redeems not only individuals but all of creation, breaking down barriers between sacred and secular. This shift reveals God's character as inclusive and gracious, sanctifying ordinary life. It teaches that holiness in the New Covenant is not about physical separation but about the transformation of heart and mind, enabling believers to live out their faith in everyday contexts. The concept underscores the priesthood of all believers and the universal availability of grace.
Historical Background
The Jewish distinction between clean and unclean developed during the Second Temple period (516 BCE–70 CE) as a key marker of Jewish identity under foreign rule. Archaeological evidence shows distinct pottery and dietary practices separating Jewish communities from Gentiles. Greek culture, which influenced New Testament language, valued the "common" (koinos) in political life (e.g., koinonia as fellowship), but also disdained the vulgar. The early church's decision to set aside kosher laws (c. 49 CE) was revolutionary, facilitating the spread of Christianity across cultural boundaries. Roman writers like Tacitus noted Christians' disregard for traditional purity boundaries as subversive. Understanding this historical context illuminates why the redefinition of "common" was so controversial and transformative.