Brief Overview of εἰδωλολατρία (Strong’s G1495: eidōlolatría)

Introduction:

In Biblical studies, Greek words like εἰδωλολατρία (eidōlolatría) are crucial for understanding key theological concepts and the cultural challenges faced by early Christians. The term εἰδωλολατρία directly relates to the practice of idolatry, which was a pervasive issue in the ancient world and a central concern in the New Testament. This word encapsulates the worship of idols or images, which was widespread in the Greco-Roman world and often placed early Christians in direct conflict with their surrounding culture. Understanding the full meaning and implications of εἰδωλολατρία is essential for interpreting numerous passages in the New Testament and for appreciating the significant challenges that idolatry posed to the nascent Christian community.

Key Information:

• Greek Word: εἰδωλολατρία (eidōlolatría) [ay-do-loh-lah-TREE-ah]
• Etymology: A compound word from εἴδωλον (eidōlon, “idol”) and λατρεία (latreía, “worship” or “service”).
• Part of Speech: Noun (feminine, first declension)
• The F.O.G Word Choice: Coming Soon

Primary Meanings:

• Idolatry, the worship of idols
• The service or worship of false gods
• Devotion to or excessive reverence for an object, often a physical image or statue

Similar Words:

• εἴδωλον (eidōlon) [ay-DOH-lon]: Refers specifically to an idol or image representing a deity, often used in the context of pagan worship.
• λατρεία (latreía) [lah-TREH-ah]: Meaning “worship” or “service,” this term is often used to describe religious worship, whether directed toward the true God or false gods.
• προσκυνέω (proskynéō) [pros-koo-NEH-oh]: Meaning “to worship” or “to bow down,” often used in the New Testament to describe acts of worship, whether appropriate or idolatrous.

Further Insights:

• Morphology:
• The word εἰδωλολατρία is a compound noun, combining εἴδωλον (idol) with λατρεία (worship). This construction directly ties the act of worship to idols, emphasizing the religious practice of idolatry.
• Noun Declension: As a first declension feminine noun, εἰδωλολατρία follows the standard Greek declension patterns.

Lexicon Insights:

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BDAG:
BDAG defines εἰδωλολατρία as the worship of idols, particularly in the context of the false gods of the Greco-Roman pantheon. The lexicon emphasizes the word’s negative connotation in the New Testament, where it is frequently associated with moral and spiritual corruption.

Thayer’s:
Thayer’s lexicon highlights that εἰδωλολατρία refers to both the act of worshiping idols and the broader cultural practice of idolatry. Thayer’s notes that in the New Testament, the term is used to denounce the worship of false gods and to call believers to exclusive devotion to the true God.

Vine’s:
Vine’s Expository Dictionary discusses εἰδωλολατρία as one of the most serious sins condemned in the New Testament. Vine’s underscores the term’s use in Paul’s letters, where it is often listed among vices that Christians must avoid, reflecting the early church’s struggle against the pervasive influence of pagan worship.

LSJ (Liddell-Scott-Jones):
The LSJ lexicon traces εἰδωλολατρία back to classical Greek, where it was used to describe the worship of idols or false gods. The lexicon notes that while the word itself may not appear frequently in classical texts, the concept was central to religious practices in the ancient world.

Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance:
Strong’s Concordance lists εἰδωλολατρία as a noun meaning “idolatry” or “idol worship,” emphasizing its role in the New Testament as a key term in discussions about religious purity and devotion. Strong’s highlights the word’s significance in the early church’s efforts to distinguish Christian worship from pagan practices.

Scripture References:

• 1 Corinthians 10:14: “Therefore, my dear friends, flee from idolatry (εἰδωλολατρία).”
• Galatians 5:19-20: “The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry (εἰδωλολατρία) and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions.”
• Colossians 3:5: “Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry (εἰδωλολατρία).”

Classical Usage:

Summary of εἰδωλολατρία (G1495: eidōlolatría)

The Greek term εἰδωλολατρία (eidōlolatría) is a central concept in the New Testament, encapsulating the worship of idols and the broader practice of idolatry. This word, derived from εἴδωλον (idol) and λατρεία (worship), is crucial for understanding the theological and ethical challenges faced by early Christians as they navigated a world steeped in paganism. The New Testament consistently condemns εἰδωλολατρία as incompatible with true worship of God, and it is frequently listed among the most serious sins. This term not only reflects the religious environment of the time but also underscores the importance of exclusive devotion to God in the Christian faith.

Did You Know?

The term εἰδωλολατρία (eidōlolatría) is the root of the modern English word “idolatry.” In the ancient world, idolatry was not only a religious practice but also a social and political act, as cities and nations often identified themselves with their patron deities. For early Christians, rejecting idolatry was not just a matter of personal belief but also a profound statement of their allegiance to Christ and their rejection of the dominant cultural norms of their time. This commitment to avoiding εἰδωλολατρία was one of the defining marks of early Christian identity.