Lexical Summary dogma: Decree, ordinance, edict, regulation Original Word: δόγμα Strong's Exhaustive Concordance decree, ordinance. From the base of dokeo; a law (civil, ceremonial or ecclesiastical) -- decree, ordinance. see GREEK dokeo NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom dokeó Definition an opinion, (a public) decree NASB Translation decree (1), decrees (3), ordinances (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 1378: δόγμαδόγμα, δογματος, τό (from δοκέω, and equivalent to τό δεδογμενον), an opinion, a judgment (Plato, others), doctrine, decree, ordinance; 1. of public decrees (as τῆς πόλεως, Plato, legg. 1, p. 644 d.; of the Roman Senate (Polybius 6, 13, 2); Herodian, 7, 10, 8 (5, Bekker edition)): of rulers, Luke 2:1; Acts 17:7; Hebrews 11:23 Lachmann (Theod. in Daniel 2:13; Daniel 3:10; Daniel 4:3; Daniel 6:13, etc. — where the Sept. uses other words). 2. of the rules and requirements of the law of Moses, 3Macc. 1:3; διατήρησις τῶν ἁγίων δογμάτων, Philo, alleg. legg. i., § 16; carrying a suggestion of severity, and of threatened punishment, τόν νόμον τῶν ἐντολῶν ἐν δογμασι, the law containing precepts in the form of decrees (A. V. the law of commandments contained in ordinances), Ephesians 2:15; τό καθ' ἡμῶν χειρόγραφον τοῖς δογμασι equivalent to τό τοῖς δογμασι (dative of instrument) by ὄν καθ' ἡμῶν, the bond against us by its decrees, Colossians 2:14; cf. Winers Grammar, § 31, 10 Note 1 (Buttmann, 92 (80); on both passages see Lightfoot on Colossians, the passage cited). 3. of certain decrees of the apostles relative to right living: Acts 16:4. (Of all the precepts of the Christian religion: βεβαιωθῆναι ἐν τοῖς δόγμασιν τοῦ κυρίου καί τῶν ἀποστόλων, Ignatius ad Magnes. 13, 1 [ET]; of the precepts (`sentences' or tenets) of philosophers, in the later secular writings: Cicero, acad. 2, 9, 27de suis decretis, quae philosophi vocant dogmata.) (On the use of the word in general, see Lightfoot as above; (cf. 'Teaching' etc. 11, 3 [ET]).) The word describes an authoritative decree, ordinance, or formal decision that obligates its hearers. In Scripture it can refer either to human edicts issued by civil or ecclesiastical authorities or to the written code of the Mosaic Law with its attendant legal demands. Use in the Greco-Roman World Outside the New Testament, the term commonly denoted official governmental pronouncements. Inscriptions from Asia Minor record imperial dogmata that regulated taxation, civic privileges, and cultic practice. Because such pronouncements carried the full weight of Roman authority, the term evoked ideas of binding force and public accountability. Old Testament Background The Septuagint employs the same word for Persian royal decrees in the Book of Daniel (for example Daniel 6:8, LXX). That setting underscores the absolute character of a dogma: once issued, even the king could not revoke it. The prophetic hope, however, anticipated a covenant in which God would write His law on the heart rather than on external tablets (Jeremiah 31:33). The coming of Christ fulfills that promise by moving the believer from compliance with external dogmata to obedience born of the Spirit. Occurrences in the New Testament 1. Luke 2:1 – Caesar Augustus issues a dogma that “all the world should be registered,” demonstrating Rome’s global authority that providentially brings Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem in accord with Micah 5:2. Theological Significance Divine Redemption and Reconciliation The two Pauline texts anchor redemption not merely in personal forgiveness but in the annulment of an objective legal claim. By abolishing the dogmata that separated humanity from God and from one another, Christ created “one new man out of the two” (Ephesians 2:15). The cross is thus presented as both a courtroom where charges are dismissed and a demolition site where the wall of hostility is torn down. Authority and Obedience Luke and Acts contrast imperial dogmata with apostolic decrees. Rome’s census produces a Savior in David’s city, while Caesar’s decrees at Thessalonica are ultimately powerless against the risen Lord’s authority. The church receives and disseminates its own dogmata—decisions grounded in apostolic revelation rather than political coercion. Law versus Grace Whereas the Mosaic code functioned as an external standard exposing sin, the cross transforms relationship with God from legal obligation to gracious adoption. Yet grace does not dissolve moral order; the moral law is fulfilled in Christ and internalized by the Spirit (Romans 8:4). The believer is freed from condemnation without being freed to lawlessness. Practical Implications for Ministry • Gospel Clarity: Pastors must distinguish between salvific essentials and secondary practices so that congregations do not elevate human regulations to the level of gospel dogma (see Acts 16:4). Relationship to Other New Testament Terms • Didachē (teaching) emphasizes content imparted for edification, whereas dogma stresses binding authority. Conclusion The New Testament employs the term to draw a sharp line between the external, often oppressive decrees of this world and the liberating, reconciling verdict rendered in Christ. Earthly dogmata may marshal armies, levy taxes, or attempt to silence the gospel, but the decisive decree—God’s justification of sinners through the cross—stands unchallenged and eternal. Englishman's Concordance Luke 2:1 N-NNSGRK: ἐκείναις ἐξῆλθεν δόγμα παρὰ Καίσαρος NAS: days a decree went KJV: that there went out a decree from INT: those went out a decree from Ceasar Acts 16:4 N-ANP Acts 17:7 N-GNP Ephesians 2:15 N-DNP Colossians 2:14 N-DNP Strong's Greek 1378 |
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