Table Fellowship: φάγος (Strong’s G5314: phagos) Reveals Divine Hospitality’s Power

Strong’s G5314: A noun meaning “eater” or “glutton,” derived from the verb φαγεῖν (to eat). Used in accusations against Jesus, highlighting cultural tensions around table fellowship and religious propriety. Represents excessive eating but gains theological significance through Jesus’ ministry of inclusive fellowship.

U- Unveiling the Word

The word φάγος carries significant weight in its New Testament context, particularly in its application to Jesus’ ministry. While technically denoting someone who eats excessively, its usage goes beyond mere dietary habits to touch on deeper social and theological implications. In Jewish culture, table fellowship carried profound significance, and accusations of being a φάγος were not merely about eating habits but about social and religious propriety. Jesus’ opponents used this term to criticize His inclusive fellowship with tax collectors and sinners. The early church recognized this criticism as highlighting Jesus’ radical ministry of grace, where He intentionally crossed social boundaries to demonstrate God’s love. Today, this word reminds us of the transformative power of inclusive fellowship and the way Jesus used meals to demonstrate the Kingdom of God.

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N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: φάγος, phagos, fah’-gos
• Pronunciation Guide: FAH (as in “father”) + gos (as in “ghost”)
• Part of Speech: Noun

Etymology:

• φαγ- (phag-): root meaning “to eat”
• -ος (-os): nominal suffix forming masculine nouns
  The combination creates a masculine noun describing “one who eats” or “an eater”

D – Defining Meanings

• A glutton or excessive eater
• One characterized by eating
• A person devoted to eating

For compound words:
This is not a compound word, but a simple formation from the root φαγ- with the agent suffix -ος

Translation Options:

• “Glutton” – emphasizes the excessive nature implied in the term
• “Eater” – more literal but less common translation
• “Food lover” – softer modern equivalent capturing the social implications

E – Exploring Similar Words

• ἐσθίω (esthiō, es-thee’-o) – to eat (present tense) See G2068
• φάγω (phagō, fah’-go) – to eat (aorist tense) See G5315
• βρῶσις (brōsis, bro’-sis) – eating, food See G1035

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

Morphological features as a noun:

• Case: Nominative, Genitive, Dative, Accusative
• Number: Singular, Plural
• Gender: Masculine
• Declension: Second declension

Examples of morphological changes:

• Nominative: φάγος (the glutton)
• Genitive: φάγου (of the glutton)
• Dative: φάγῳ (to/for the glutton)
• Accusative: φάγον (the glutton as object)

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

The major lexicons provide valuable insights into φάγος. BDAG emphasizes its use as a derogatory term in accusations against Jesus, noting its cultural significance beyond mere eating habits. Thayer’s connects it to the broader concept of table fellowship in Jewish society. LSJ provides evidence of its use in broader Greek literature as a term of criticism. Vine’s notes its relationship to the verb φαγεῖν and its specific application to Jesus in the Gospels. Strong’s highlights its basic meaning as “a glutton,” while Moulton and Milligan document its usage in non-literary papyri as a general term of reproach. This collective insight reveals how the term functioned both as a simple descriptor and as a loaded cultural critique.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First appearance:
Matthew 11:19: “The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look, a glutton [φάγος] and a winebibber, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ But wisdom is justified by her children.”

Additional References:
Luke 7:34

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

The term φάγος, while used as a criticism against Jesus, actually highlights the radical nature of His ministry. When religious leaders called Him a “glutton,” they were criticizing His willingness to share meals with those deemed unworthy by society. This accusation unwittingly emphasizes the beautiful truth of the Gospel – that Jesus intentionally crossed social boundaries to demonstrate God’s inclusive love. The good news is that our King Jesus transforms the table into a place of grace, where all are welcome to feast in His presence, regardless of their social status or past.

D – Did You Know?

1. The term φάγος appears only in accusations against Jesus in the New Testament, never as a general description of others.
2. Ancient Mediterranean cultures viewed excessive eating as a sign of moral failure and lack of self-control.
3. The accusation of being a φάγος often came alongside criticism of Jesus’ table fellowship with social outcasts.

Strong’s G5314: A noun meaning “eater” or “glutton,” derived from the verb φαγεῖν (to eat). Used in accusations against Jesus, highlighting cultural tensions around table fellowship and religious propriety. Represents excessive eating but gains theological significance through Jesus’ ministry of inclusive fellowship.

Part of speech: Noun

Tags: eating, glutton, table-fellowship, accusations, Jesus, inclusion, meals, social-boundaries, grace, hospitality, criticism, ministry, fellowship, sinners, tax-collectors​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​