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Unveiling the Word

The Greek word οἰκουργός (oikourgós) is particularly significant in understanding the cultural and theological expectations of women in the early Christian world, especially in regard to household responsibilities. This word is found in Titus 2:5, where the Apostle Paul instructs Titus to teach older women to encourage younger women to be “workers at home” (oikourgós). The term helps scholars and believers explore how early Christians viewed domestic life, particularly in the roles of women as stewards of the household. Its significance extends beyond simple housekeeping and touches on values of virtue, diligence, and the broader well-being of the family unit.

Necessary Information

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Greek Word: οἰκουργός (oikourgós), pronounced oy-kur-GOS.

Etymology: The word οἰκουργός is a compound of οἶκος (oikos), meaning “house” or “household,” and ἔργον (ergon), meaning “work” or “task.” Together, these roots give the sense of someone who works or manages in the house, typically referring to domestic responsibilities.

Part of Speech: Noun (feminine). This term is used to describe the role of a female worker within the household. It emphasizes tasks related to managing the household and maintaining the well-being of the family, underscoring the traditional role of women in domestic settings in the ancient world.

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Defining Meanings

1. Worker at Home: The primary meaning of oikourgós is someone who is engaged in the work of managing a household. This would include a variety of tasks such as cleaning, preparing meals, overseeing household operations, and ensuring the well-being of family members.

2. Household Steward: The term also encompasses the idea of stewardship, where the individual is not merely laboring in the home but is actively responsible for its management and functioning.

3. Virtuous Woman: In a broader sense, oikourgós aligns with the biblical concept of a virtuous woman, who, by tending to her household, fulfills a role of dignity and importance, contributing to the family’s physical and spiritual well-being.

Exploring Similar Words

1. οἶκος (oikos) [pronunciation: OY-kos]: This word means “house” or “household” and refers to the physical dwelling or the familial unit. It forms part of the root of oikourgós and is closely related in meaning but focuses more on the house or family rather than the person managing it.

2. οἰκοδεσπότης (oikodespótēs) [pronunciation: oy-ko-des-PO-tes]: This word means “master of the house” or “head of the household.” It refers more to the authoritative figure, typically the man of the house, who oversees the household’s broader affairs.

3. ἔργον (ergon) [pronunciation: ER-gon]: Meaning “work” or “task,” this is the second root of oikourgós. It emphasizes the labor or duty aspect of the term, focusing on productivity and action.

Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

For Nouns:

• Case, Number, Gender: Oikourgós is a feminine noun. It follows typical noun declension patterns, with its nominative singular form being οἰκουργός and its genitive singular form οἰκουργοῦ. The plural form would be οἰκουργοί.

• Declension: As a first-declension feminine noun, its forms follow standard Greek noun patterns. The nominative case refers to the subject of the sentence, and the genitive case indicates possession or association.

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Studying Lexicon Insights

In New Testament usage, oikourgós is often associated with the idea of women maintaining their homes, not just in a physical sense but also in terms of family well-being and moral guidance. Ancient lexicons emphasize that this role was highly valued, reflecting a woman’s dedication to her family and household. Classical Greek usage does not feature this exact term, suggesting that it gained prominence in the Christian context where the household was seen as a vital arena of faith practice. The role of a woman as a homemaker had both practical and spiritual dimensions.

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

Tracing Related Scriptures

1. Titus 2:5: “To be self-controlled, pure, working at home [οἰκουργός], kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled.”

2. 1 Timothy 5:14 (conceptual reference): Though not using οἰκουργός directly, Paul’s exhortation that women should “manage their households” relates to the same concept of domestic responsibility.

Analyzing Classical Usage

The word οἰκουργός is unique to the New Testament, making its appearance in Greek classical literature limited. However, its root words, oikos and ergon, appear in many works, emphasizing the importance of the household and work in both Greek and Roman thought.

Noteworthy Summary

Oikourgós carries profound significance in New Testament teachings about household stewardship, emphasizing the roles of women as homemakers. It reflects both the practical and spiritual responsibilities of managing a household. By understanding this term, we gain insights into early Christian values surrounding family, work, and faith in domestic settings.

Did You Know?

1. The role of women as oikourgós was often seen as vital to the success of the early Christian family, as the home was a primary place for faith development.

2. Though oikourgós appears only once in the New Testament, its concept of household stewardship is a recurring theme in Paul’s letters.

3. The term aligns with the Greek understanding of oikos, which also refers to household management, indicating the close connection between work and family in the ancient world.