Unveiling the Word

The Greek word μάκελλον (makellon), found in 1 Corinthians 10:25, is a rare term in the New Testament but carries significant meaning in understanding the cultural and religious context of the early Christian communities. It refers specifically to a meat market, a place where meats were sold, often in connection to pagan temples. Understanding this word is particularly important for interpreting Paul’s instructions regarding food sacrificed to idols. In the cultural context of the Greco-Roman world, buying meat from such markets raised ethical and theological questions for early Christians, especially those coming from Jewish traditions or living among idol-worshiping pagans.

Necessary Information

Greek Word: μάκελλον (makellon) [mah-KEHL-lon]
Etymology: The word μάκελλον is of Latin origin, from macellum, which referred to a public market or a meat market in Roman cities. The term reflects the influence of Latin on the Greek-speaking regions under Roman rule.
Part of Speech: Noun (neuter). As a proper noun, it designates a specific location— the market where meats, often from sacrifices to pagan gods, were sold.
The F.O.G Word Choice: Coming Soon.

Defining Meanings

1. Meat Market: The primary meaning of μάκελλον refers to a place where meats, particularly those from animal sacrifices, were sold. In the context of 1 Corinthians 10:25, Paul advises the believers in Corinth to not be overly concerned about the origins of the meat sold in such markets, suggesting they should eat without raising questions of conscience unless they were directly informed the meat had been sacrificed to idols.
2. Public Market: While its primary use is for a meat market, μάκελλον can also be understood more generally as a marketplace, though it retains its association with food sales, particularly meat.

Exploring Similar Words

1. ἀγορά (agora) [ah-gor-AH]: Refers to a public marketplace where various goods, including food, were sold. It is broader than μάκελλον, encompassing all kinds of commerce rather than being restricted to meats.
2. κρεοπωλεῖον (kreopoleion) [kreh-oh-POH-lay-on]: Another term for a butcher’s shop or meat market, more specific to the profession of selling meat rather than the general marketplace.

Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

As a neuter noun, μάκελλον follows the second declension pattern in Greek. Below is a declension table:

Click here for a beginners guide to reading Greek.

Studying Lexicon Insights

Lexical insights into μάκελλον reveal its strong association with the Roman world, particularly the practice of selling meats from pagan temple sacrifices. In Roman cities, markets like the μάκελλον would have been common, and meats sold there often came from animals offered in temple rituals. For early Christians, especially Gentiles, the question of eating such meats was a major ethical dilemma, as it touched on the broader issue of idolatry. Paul’s advice in 1 Corinthians 10:25 suggests that Christians should not be overly concerned with the pagan origins of their food unless explicitly informed. This advice reflects Paul’s broader theological stance on Christian freedom and conscience.
This overview synthesizes insights from BDAG, Thayer’s, LSJ, Vine’s, Strong’s, LEH, and Moulton and Milligan.

Tracing Related Scriptures

1. 1 Corinthians 10:25: “Eat anything sold in the meat market [μάκελλον] without raising questions of conscience.”
2. There are no other explicit references to μάκελλον in the New Testament, as it is a rare term unique to this passage.

Analyzing Classical Usage

In classical Greek and Roman literature, μάκελλον (from the Latin macellum) appears in works discussing the public markets and economic life in Roman cities. The term is used to describe places where meats, fruits, and vegetables were sold, often near temples.

Noteworthy Summary

The term μάκελλον sheds light on the everyday life of early Christians living in Greco-Roman cities, especially in regards to the question of food and its origins. As a marketplace where meats, including those sacrificed to idols, were sold, μάκελλον is central to understanding Paul’s advice in 1 Corinthians 10:25. The word underscores the tension between Christian freedom and the practical realities of living in a pagan world. For modern readers, it serves as a reminder of the cultural and ethical challenges faced by the early church.

Did You Know?

1. The word μάκελλον comes from the Latin macellum, showing the influence of Roman culture on the Greek-speaking world.
2. Paul’s instruction to eat without asking questions reflects his view of Christian freedom, as long as one’s actions do not harm others.
3. In ancient Roman cities, μάκελλα were often located near temples, where animals were sacrificed and then sold as food.