Lexical Summary ainesis: Praise, commendation Original Word: αἴνεσις Strong's Exhaustive Concordance praise. From aineo; a praising (the act), i.e. (specially) a thank(-offering) -- praise. see GREEK aineo NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom aineó Definition praise NASB Translation praise (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 133: αἴνεσιςαἴνεσις, (εως, ἡ (αἰνέω), praise: θυσία αἰνέσεως (הַתּודָד זֶבַח, Leviticus 7:13), Hebrews 13:15 a thank-offering, (A. V. 'sacrifice of praise'), presented to God for some benefit received; see θυσία, b. (αἴνεσις often occurs in the Sept., but not in secular authors.) Topical Lexicon Topical Bible Encyclopedia Entry: αἴνεσις (Strong’s Greek 133)Biblical Occurrence and Context Hebrews 13:15 contains the sole New Testament use of αἴνεσις. Written to believers tempted to revert to temple rituals, the verse urges continual worship: “Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise, the fruit of lips that confess His name.” Old Testament Background The Septuagint frequently renders Hebrew תּוֹדָה (todah, thanksgiving praise) with cognate terms. Passages such as Leviticus 7:12-15 describe a “thank offering” that accompanied fellowship sacrifices. Psalm 50:23 links that offering with a life that “orders his way aright.” Hosea 14:2 foretells a day when repentant Israel will present “the fruit of our lips” instead of animal blood. Hebrews draws directly on this trajectory, showing Christ as the once-for-all sacrifice that transforms ritual thanksgiving into spiritual worship. The Sacrifice of Praise in Hebrews 13:15 1. Mediated “through Jesus”: union with the risen High Priest makes praise acceptable. Theology of Praise Praise is the believer’s fitting response to God’s character and works (Psalm 145:3-7). It is commanded (Psalm 150:1-6), motivated by redemption (Ephesians 1:6), and empowered by the Spirit (Ephesians 5:18-20). Hebrews 13:15 frames praise as priestly service, aligning the church with Israel’s calling in Exodus 19:6 and fulfilled in 1 Peter 2:9. Christological Dimensions The verse roots worship “through Jesus,” highlighting: Therefore αἴνεσις is not mere sentiment but participation in the Son’s perfect honor of the Father. Corporate Worship Implications Early Christian gatherings were marked by psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs (Colossians 3:16). Hebrews affirms vocal, doctrinally rich praise as central liturgy. Faithful leaders cultivate services where scriptural truth fuels adoration, resisting entertainment trends that eclipse confession of His name. Personal Devotional Practice Believers are exhorted to: Historical Church Usage The Didache directs daily thanksgiving; fourth-century liturgies retain the language of “sacrifice of praise.” Reformers restored congregational singing, echoing Hebrews 13:15 by emphasizing priesthood of all believers. Hymn writers such as Charles Wesley embodied αἴνεσις in doctrinal song. Pastoral Application 1. Preach Christ’s sufficiency so that praise flows from assurance, not merit. Summary αἴνεσις in Hebrews 13:15 encapsulates the New Covenant transformation of worship: continual, Christ-mediated praise arising from redeemed lips, replacing shadowy offerings with living testimony to God’s glory. Forms and Transliterations αινέσει αινέσεις αινέσεσί αινεσεως αινέσεως αινέσεώς αἰνέσεως αίνεσιν αίνεσίν αίνεσις αίνεσίς αινετόν αινετός aineseos aineseōs ainéseos ainéseōsLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
    |