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Unveiling the Word

In the study of Greek within the New Testament, οἰκέω (oikeō) is a verb that is important to both theological interpretation and the understanding of daily life in the ancient world. The word occurs in Romans 7:17, where Paul discusses the nature of sin residing within a person. Oikeō refers to dwelling, inhabiting, or residing, and it offers deep insights into both physical dwelling places and spiritual realities. Understanding this term allows readers to appreciate its layered meaning in biblical contexts and its relation to life in Greco-Roman culture, where household structures played a central role in society.

Necessary Information

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Greek Word: οἰκέω (oikeō), pronounced oy-KEH-o.

Etymology: The word derives from oikos (οἶκος), meaning “house” or “home,” and its primary connotation is related to living or dwelling in a place. In the New Testament, it is often used figuratively to express spiritual realities, such as where sin or the Holy Spirit “dwells” within a person.

Part of Speech: Oikeō is a verb. It takes on different forms depending on tense, voice, and mood, and its basic meaning revolves around the action of living or residing in a particular place.

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Defining Meanings

1. To dwell or reside: Oikeō is most often used in the sense of living in a specific place, whether that be a house, a city, or a broader location.

2. To inhabit spiritually: In the New Testament, oikeō can refer to a deeper, spiritual reality. For example, in Romans 7:17, Paul speaks of sin dwelling (oikeō) in a person, emphasizing a permanent or pervasive presence.

3. To be at home with: The word can also imply a close relationship with something or someone, akin to being at home or feeling settled in a place or state.

Exploring Similar Words

1. κατοικέω (katoikeō) [pronunciation: kat-oy-KEH-o]: This word means “to dwell” or “to inhabit,” with a stronger sense of permanent residence, often referring to a more fixed and established dwelling place.

2. ἐνοικέω (enoikeō) [pronunciation: en-oy-KEH-o]: While similar in meaning to oikeō, enoikeō refers more to an internal indwelling, often used to describe spiritual habitation, such as the Holy Spirit indwelling believers.

3. παροικέω (paroikeō) [pronunciation: par-oy-KEH-o]: This word means “to dwell as a foreigner,” referring to living temporarily in a place where one does not belong, emphasizing impermanence.

Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

Tense, Voice, Mood: As a verb, oikeō appears in several tenses in the New Testament, including the present (to indicate ongoing action) and the aorist (to indicate a completed action).

• Present Active Indicative: οἰκῶ (I dwell)

• Imperfect Active Indicative: ᾤκουν (I was dwelling)

• Aorist Active Indicative: ᾤκησα (I dwelled)

Person and Number: In its various forms, oikeō can be conjugated in singular and plural numbers and in all persons (1st, 2nd, 3rd).

• 1st Person Singular Present: οἰκῶ (I dwell)

• 2nd Person Singular Present: οἰκεῖς (you dwell)

• 3rd Person Plural Aorist: ᾤκησαν (they dwelled)

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Studying Lexicon Insights

Across various lexicons, oikeō is understood as a verb centered on the concept of living or inhabiting. It can describe both literal dwelling places, such as homes or cities, and figurative dwellings, such as spiritual conditions. For instance, BDAG emphasizes the verb’s theological use in Paul’s epistles, particularly in Romans, where oikeō is often linked to spiritual indwelling, either of sin or the Holy Spirit. LSJ discusses the use of oikeō in classical Greek as a term for dwelling in a city or home, underscoring its fundamental connection to domestic life.

This overview synthesizes insights from BDAG, Thayer’s, LSJ, Vine’s, Strong’s, LEH, and Moulton and Milligan.

Tracing Related Scriptures

1. Romans 7:17: “So now, no longer am I the one doing it, but sin which dwells [οἰκεῖ] in me.”

2. Romans 8:11: “But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells [οἰκεῖ] in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells [οἰκοῦντος] in you.”

3. 2 Corinthians 6:16: “For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said, ‘I will dwell [οἰκήσω] in them and walk among them.’”

Analyzing Classical Usage

Author Name of Work Text

Plato Republic “He who dwells [οἰκεῖ] within the city enjoys its protection and benefits.”

Aristotle Politics “A ruler must dwell [οἰκεῖν] among the people to know their concerns.”

Septuagint Genesis 13:12 “And Abram dwelt [οἰκῶν] in the land of Canaan.”

Noteworthy Summary

Oikeō is a rich and multifaceted Greek verb that encapsulates both the literal and spiritual concepts of dwelling or inhabiting. In the New Testament, particularly in Paul’s letters, it is used to describe the indwelling of spiritual forces, whether it be sin or the Holy Spirit. The term connects physical habitation with spiritual significance, emphasizing both location and inner life. Understanding oikeō in its various contexts enriches one’s appreciation of its theological depth and relevance in daily life and faith.

Did You Know?

1. Oikeō is closely related to the noun oikos (house), showing the connection between living and the household in Greek thought.

2. The verb oikeō is used both in positive and negative senses, depending on what is said to dwell within a person (sin vs. the Holy Spirit).

3. In ancient Greek culture, dwelling (oikeō) was not only about physical residence but also about being part of a community or society.