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Unveiling the Word

Understanding Greek words is vital for Biblical studies, as they provide deeper insight into the text’s meanings and cultural context. The term ὁμοίωμα (homoiōma) appears in Romans 1:23, where it describes the likeness of humanity to God, specifically referring to the image of created beings. This word is significant for interpreting theological concepts such as the nature of God, idolatry, and humanity’s relationship with the divine. Grasping the nuances of ὁμοίωμα aids in understanding how ancient Greek culture viewed similarity and likeness, enriching our comprehension of scriptural teachings.

Necessary Information

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Greek Word: ὁμοίωμα (homoiōma) [ho-my’-o-ma]

Etymology: The word derives from the root ὁμοῖος (homoios), meaning “like” or “similar,” combined with the suffix -μα (-ma), which often denotes the result of an action or a condition. Thus, ὁμοίωμα conveys the idea of something that has been made like another thing or a resemblance to something else.

Part of Speech: Noun; specifically, it is a neuter noun used to refer to a likeness or resemblance.

The F.O.G Word Choice: Coming Soon.

Defining Meanings

Likeness

The primary meaning of ὁμοίωμα is “likeness” or “similarity.” It describes the state of being similar to something else, often in terms of appearance or form.

Image

Another significant meaning is “image.” In biblical contexts, it refers to the representation of God in human form or the way humans reflect divine qualities.

Representation

Furthermore, ὁμοίωμα can imply “representation,” suggesting that it embodies the qualities or attributes of the original, serving as a reflection of something greater.

Exploring Similar Words

ὁμοῖος (homoios) [ho-my’-os]: This adjective means “similar” or “like.” While ὁμοίωμα indicates the result of making something similar, ὁμοῖος describes the inherent quality of being similar.

ἀναλογία (analogía) [an-al-o-ghia]: Meaning “analogy” or “proportion,” this noun indicates a relationship of correspondence between two entities. Unlike ὁμοίωμα, which focuses on the likeness itself, ἀναλογία emphasizes the nature of that similarity.

παρόμοιος (paromoios) [par-o-my’-os]: This word translates to “similar” or “resembling.” While it also describes similarity, it can carry a connotation of being somewhat akin but not identical, offering a more nuanced distinction compared to ὁμοίωμα.

Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

As a noun, ὁμοίωμα has specific morphological features relevant to its grammatical use.

Case, Number, Gender:

• Case: ὁμοίωμα can be found in various cases, including nominative (subject), genitive (possession), dative (indirect object), and accusative (direct object).

• Number: It can be singular or plural, with the plural form being ὁμοιώματα (homoiōmata).

• Gender: It is a neuter noun.

Declension:

ὁμοίωμα follows the standard declension patterns for neuter nouns in the second declension class.

For a deeper understanding of reading Greek, Click here for a beginners guide to reading Greek.

Studying Lexicon Insights

Insights from various Greek lexicons reveal the depth of meaning behind ὁμοίωμα. In the context of Romans, it highlights humanity’s inclination to create images resembling the divine, reflecting both a theological and a cultural critique of idolatry. The word emphasizes the relationship between God and humanity, asserting that while humans may attempt to represent God through likeness, such representations can often lead to distortion rather than truth. Theological implications include discussions on how humans relate to the divine and the nature of worship.

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

Tracing Related Scriptures

• Romans 1:23: “And exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles.” (The Greek word ὁμοίωμα emphasizes the likeness of these images to God.)

• Acts 14:15: “Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men, of like nature (ὁμοιότης) with you, and we bring you good news, that you should turn from these vain things to a living God.” (The connection to similarity in human nature.)

• Colossians 3:10: “And have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image (ὁμοίωμα) of its creator.” (Highlighting the theme of renewal in God’s likeness.)

Analyzing Classical Usage

Author Name of Work English Text

Plato Timaeus “God made man in His likeness (ὁμοίωμα) as a reflection of the divine.”

Aristotle Nicomachean Ethics “The virtue of man is to act in accordance with his likeness (ὁμοίωμα) to the good.”

Herodotus Histories “The images (ὁμοίωμα) of the gods were crafted to resemble the pharaohs.”

Septuagint Genesis 1:26 “Let Us make man in Our image (ὁμοίωμα), according to Our likeness.”

Septuagint Isaiah 40:18 “To whom then will you liken God? Or what likeness (ὁμοίωμα) will you compare to Him?”

Septuagint Psalms 115:8 “Those who make them become like them (ὁμοίωμα), and so do all who trust in them.”

Noteworthy Summary

The term ὁμοίωμα (homoiōma) signifies likeness or similarity and serves as a critical concept within theological discourse. In Romans 1:23, it reveals humanity’s tendency to create images that mimic the divine, serving as both a reflection and a critique of idolatry. By examining its morphological features and connections to similar Greek words, we deepen our understanding of its implications in both the New Testament context and classical Greek culture.

Did You Know?

Likeness in Greek Thought: In ancient Greek philosophy, the concept of likeness was often discussed in relation to ethics and identity, influencing how individuals understood their relationship to the divine.

Cultural Critique: The use of ὁμοίωμα in Romans serves as a cultural critique of idolatry, addressing the tension between true worship and the creation of images that misrepresent God.

Theological Implications: Theological discussions around ὁμοίωμα often focus on the nature of God and humanity’s role in reflecting divine qualities, emphasizing the importance of genuine worship and relationship with the Creator.