Brief Overview of εἰδωλολάτρης (Strong’s G1496: eidōlolátrēs)

Introduction:

In Biblical studies, understanding Greek words like εἰδωλολάτρης (eidōlolátrēs) is crucial for interpreting the New Testament accurately. This term refers to a person who practices idolatry, a significant issue for early Christians as they sought to maintain their faith in a world dominated by pagan worship. The word εἰδωλολάτρης is not only relevant for understanding the New Testament’s moral teachings but also for grasping the cultural and religious context of the early Christian community. By examining the meaning and usage of εἰδωλολάτρης, we can better appreciate the challenges faced by the first Christians and the strong opposition to idolatry that defined their faith.

Key Information:

• Greek Word: εἰδωλολάτρης (eidōlolátrēs) [ay-doh-loh-LAH-trays]
• Etymology: A compound word derived from εἴδωλον (eidōlon, “idol”) and λατρεύω (latreúō, “to worship”).
• Part of Speech: Noun (masculine, first declension)
• The F.O.G Word Choice: Coming Soon

Primary Meanings:

• Idolater, one who worships idols
• A person devoted to the worship of false gods
• Someone who participates in idolatrous practices

Similar Words:

• εἴδωλον (eidōlon) [ay-DOH-lon]: Refers to an idol or image, often worshiped as a god in pagan religions.
• λατρεία (latreía) [lah-TREH-ah]: Meaning “worship” or “service,” this term can refer to both proper and improper (idolatrous) religious worship.
• προσκυνέω (proskynéō) [pros-koo-NEH-oh]: A verb meaning “to worship” or “to bow down,” often used in contexts of reverence or idolatrous worship.

Further Insights:

• Morphology:
• The word εἰδωλολάτρης is a compound noun, combining εἴδωλον (idol) with λατρεύω (to worship). This construction directly identifies the individual as one who engages in idol worship.
• Noun Declension: As a first declension masculine noun, εἰδωλολάτρης follows the standard declension patterns.

Lexicon Insights:

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BDAG:
BDAG defines εἰδωλολάτρης as an idolater, someone who worships idols or false gods. The lexicon emphasizes that the term is used in the New Testament to describe individuals who engage in practices that are antithetical to the worship of the true God.

Thayer’s:
Thayer’s lexicon notes that εἰδωλολάτρης refers to a person who is devoted to idol worship. In the New Testament, this word is often used to highlight the moral and spiritual dangers associated with idolatry, warning Christians to avoid such practices.

Vine’s:
Vine’s Expository Dictionary discusses εἰδωλολάτρης as a term used to identify those who participate in idolatrous practices. Vine’s points out that the New Testament writers, particularly Paul, use this term to describe behaviors that are incompatible with Christian faith and life.

LSJ (Liddell-Scott-Jones):
The LSJ lexicon traces the term εἰδωλολάτρης to classical Greek, where it was used to describe individuals who worshiped idols. The lexicon highlights that while idolatry was a common practice in the ancient world, the term took on a particularly negative connotation in Christian texts.

Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance:
Strong’s Concordance lists εἰδωλολάτρης as a noun meaning “idolater” or “idol worshiper.” The concordance underscores the term’s importance in New Testament teachings against idolatry and its frequent association with warnings about moral and spiritual corruption.

Scripture References:

• 1 Corinthians 6:9: “Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters (εἰδωλολάτραι), nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality.”
• Ephesians 5:5: “For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater, εἰδωλολάτρης), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.”
• Revelation 21:8: “But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters (εἰδωλολάτραι), and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”

Classical Usage:

Summary of εἰδωλολάτρης (G1496: eidōlolátrēs)

The term εἰδωλολάτρης (eidōlolátrēs) is a significant word in the New Testament, used to describe those who engage in the worship of idols. This term, derived from the words for “idol” and “worship,” highlights the severe opposition of early Christians to idolatry, which they viewed as a fundamental violation of the worship due to the one true God. The word appears in several key New Testament passages where it is associated with a list of vices that Christians are urged to avoid. Understanding εἰδωλολάτρης helps to illuminate the moral and spiritual concerns of the early church and the strong stance it took against the pervasive idolatry of the surrounding culture.

Did You Know?

The word εἰδωλολάτρης (eidōlolátrēs) is the origin of the English term “idolater,” which is still used today to describe someone who worships idols. In the ancient world, idolatry was not just a religious practice but often intertwined with political and social identities. For early Christians, rejecting idolatry was a way of affirming their exclusive allegiance to Christ and distinguishing themselves from the broader pagan society. This rejection of idolatry was one of the defining features of Christian identity in the first century and remains a key element of Christian theology and ethics.