Lexical Summary eidólolatria: Idolatry Original Word: εἰδωλολατρία Strong's Exhaustive Concordance idolatry. From eidolon and latreia; image-worship (literally or figuratively) -- idolatry. see GREEK eidolon see GREEK latreia NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom eidólon and latreia Definition image worship NASB Translation idolatries (1), idolatry (3). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 1495: εἰδωλολατρείαεἰδωλολατρεία εἰδωλολατρία WH; see Iota], εἰδωλολατρείας, ἡ (εἴδωλον, which see, and λατρεία) (Tertullian, others haveidololatria), the worship of false gods, idolatry: Galatians 5:20; used of the formal sacrificial feasts held in honor of false gods, 1 Corinthians 10:14; of avarice, as a worship of Mammon (which see), Colossians 3:5 (Lightfoot at the passage); in plural, the vices springing from idolatry and peculiar to it, 1 Peter 4:3. (Ecclesiastical writings (cf. Winer's Grammar, 26).) Topical Lexicon Definition and Scope Idolatry denotes the veneration, trust, or service rendered to anything or anyone other than the one true God revealed in Scripture. While outwardly expressed through statues, shrines, or rituals, Scripture exposes idolatry primarily as a misplaced affection of the heart (Ezekiel 14:3), manifesting whenever a created thing is exalted to God’s place. Occurrences in the New Testament Galatians 5:20 lists idolatry among “the acts of the flesh,” revealing it as a characteristic of an unregenerate life. Colossians 3:5 identifies greed as “idolatry,” demonstrating that idolatry can be entirely internal. 1 Peter 4:3 records believers’ former life of “detestable idolatry,” contrasting pagan excess with the holiness expected in Christ. 1 Corinthians 10:14 commands, “Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry,” framing it as an ever-present threat even to the church. Old Testament Roots and Continuity From Genesis 31 (household gods) to Malachi 2 (syncretistic worship), Israel’s history reflects continual confrontation with idolatry. The first two commandments (Exodus 20:3-5) expressly forbid it, and prophetic literature portrays the practice as spiritual adultery (Hosea 2). The New Testament retains this moral continuity, transferring the language of idolatry from carved images to any rival that steals devotion. Theological Significance 1. Exclusive Worship: Idolatry violates God’s unique worth and glory (Isaiah 42:8). Early Church Context First-century believers lived amid ubiquitous pagan cults—imperial worship in Rome, Artemis in Ephesus, Aphrodite in Corinth. Social life, trade guilds, and civic festivals were intertwined with idol rites. Paul’s pastoral letters equip churches to navigate markets selling meat sacrificed to idols (1 Corinthians 8-10) and to stand apart from temple banquets that implied fellowship with demons (1 Corinthians 10:20-21). Practical Ministry Implications • Preaching: Faithful exposition must confront both overt and subtle idols—money, power, pleasure, ideology. Contemporary Relevance Modern culture crafts sophisticated substitutes for God—consumerism, nationalism, self-esteem, digital obsession. The apostolic charge, “Flee from idolatry,” remains urgent. Idolatry is not merely an ancient error but the root of all sin (Romans 1:23-25). The gospel alone liberates, revealing in Jesus Christ “the image of the invisible God” (Colossians 1:15) who satisfies the heart and secures eternal allegiance to the living God. Forms and Transliterations ειδωλολατρεία ειδωλολατρείας ειδωλολατρια ειδωλολατρία εἰδωλολατρία ειδωλολατριαις εἰδωλολατρίαις ειδωλολατριας ειδωλολατρίας εἰδωλολατρίας eidololatria eidololatría eidōlolatria eidōlolatría eidololatriais eidololatríais eidōlolatriais eidōlolatríais eidololatrias eidololatrías eidōlolatrias eidōlolatríasLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 1 Corinthians 10:14 N-GFSGRK: ἀπὸ τῆς εἰδωλολατρίας NAS: my beloved, flee from idolatry. KJV: flee from idolatry. INT: from idolatry Galatians 5:20 N-NFS Colossians 3:5 N-NFS 1 Peter 4:3 N-DFP Strong's Greek 1495 |
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