2356. thréskeia

Lexical Summary

thréskeia: Religion, Worship

Original Word: θρησκεία
Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
Transliteration: thréskeia
Pronunciation: thrace-KI-ah
Phonetic Spelling: (thrace-ki'-ah)
KJV: religion, worshipping
NASB: religion, worship
Word Origin: [from a derivative of G2357 (θρῆσκος - religious)]

1. ceremonial observance

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

religion, worshipping.

From a derivative of threskos; ceremonial observance -- religion, worshipping.

see GREEK threskos

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from a derivation of thréskos
Definition
religion
NASB Translation
religion (3), worship (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 2356: θρησκεία

θρησκεία Tdf. θρησκια (see Iota) (a later word; Ionic θρησκιη in Herodotus (2, 18. 37)), θρησκείας, ἡ (from θρησκεύω, and this from θρησκός, which see; hence, apparently primarily fear of the gods); religious worship, especially external, that which consists in ceremonies: hence, in plural θρησκιας ἐπιτελεῖν μυριάς, Herodotus 2, 37; καθιστας ἁγνείας τέ καί θρησκείας καί καθαρμους, Dionysius Halicarnassus 2, 63; universally, religious worship, James 1:26f; with the genitive of the object (Winer's Grammar, 187 (176)) τῶν ἀγγέλων, Colossians 2:18 (τῶν εἰδώλων, Wis. 14:27; τῶν δαιμον´ων, Eusebius, h. e. 6, 41, 2; τῶν θεῶν, ibid. 9, 9, 14; τοῦ Θεοῦ, Herodian, 4, 8, 17 (7 edition, Bekker); often in Josephus (cf. Krebs, Observations, etc., p. 339f); Clement of Rome, 1 Cor. 45, 7 [ET]); religious discipline, religion: ἡμετέρα θρησκεία, of Judaism, Acts 26:5 (τήν ἐμήν θρησκειαν καταλιπών, put into the mouth of God by Josephus, Antiquities 8, 11, 1; with the genitive of the subjunctive τῶν Ἰουδαίων, 4 Macc. 5:6, 13 (12); Josephus, Antiquities 12, 5, 4; θρησκεία κοσμικη, i. e. worthy to be embraced by all nations, a world religion, b. j. 4, 5, 2; piety, περί τόν Θεόν, Antiquities 1, 13, 1; κατά τήν ἔμφυτον θρησκειαν τῶν βαρβάρων πρός τό βασιλικόν ὄνομα, Chariton 7, 6, p. 165, 18 edition, Reiske; of the reverence of Antiochus the Pious for the Jewish religion, Josephus, Antiquities 13, 8, 2). Cf. Grimm on 4 Macc. 5:6; (especially Trench, § xlviii.).

Topical Lexicon

Concept and Scope

Θρησκεία embraces the outward, organized expression of worship—ceremonies, rituals, and cultic observances that supposedly demonstrate reverence for God. Scripture treats such external practice as either hypocritical when detached from obedience or commendable when it springs from regenerated hearts.

Occurrences in the New Testament

• Acts 26:5 – Paul recounts his former life “according to the strictest sect of our religion,” linking θρησκεία with Pharisaism, a rigorously traditional yet Christ-rejecting system.
• Colossians 2:18 – The apostle warns against teachers who “delight in false humility and the worship of angels,” exposing a self-made θρησκεία that appears ascetic but is void of Christ’s supremacy.
• James 1:26 – James identifies an unbridled tongue as evidence that one’s θρησκεία is “worthless,” showing that mere ritual cannot mask inner corruption.
• James 1:27 – Conversely, “religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself unstained by the world.” Genuine θρησκεία manifests in compassion and holiness, not empty form.

True versus Counterfeit Religion

Scripture contrasts two kinds of θρησκεία:

1. Man-centered religion—rooted in tradition, legalism, or mysticism (Acts 26:5; Colossians 2:18). It elevates human effort, substitutes intermediaries for Christ, and produces pride.
2. God-centered religion—flowing from new birth, evidenced by controlled speech, merciful deeds, and moral separation (James 1:26-27). It accords with the gospel’s ethic of love and purity.

Historical Setting

Within Second Temple Judaism, θρησκεία described strict observance of Mosaic and rabbinic regulations. Early believers confronted pressure from both Jewish legalists and Greco-Roman mystery cults. The term therefore becomes a battleground for defining Christian identity: not another sect marked by ceremonies, but a Spirit-empowered life that fulfills the Law’s intent.

Theological Significance

1. Regeneration precedes acceptable worship; ritual without transformation is “worthless.”
2. External acts retain value only when informed by love and truth. Baptism, the Lord’s Supper, corporate liturgy, and diaconal service express authentic θρησκεία when centered on Christ.
3. Social compassion is inseparable from doctrinal fidelity. Care for society’s most vulnerable is presented as an acid test of orthodoxy.

Ministry Implications

• Examine church programs: Do they encourage visible mercy and moral distinctness, or merely perpetuate tradition?
• Guard against ascetic novelties and mystical trends that displace the sufficiency of Christ.
• Train believers to harness speech (James 3:1-12), as verbal conduct stands as an immediate indicator of religious integrity.
• Prioritize widow and orphan care, benevolence, and personal holiness as non-negotiable marks of congregational health.

Contemporary Application

Modern assemblies risk redefining faith as cultural affiliation or social activism divorced from repentance and sanctification. James calls today’s church to intertwine doctrine, devotion, and duty so that our θρησκεία remains “pure and undefiled before God.”

Forms and Transliterations

θρησκεια θρησκεία θρησκείᾳ θρησκειας θρησκείας threskeia threskeía thrēskeia thrēskeía threskeíāi thrēskeíāi threskeias threskeías thrēskeias thrēskeías

Englishman's Concordance

Acts 26:5 N-GFS
GRK: τῆς ἡμετέρας θρησκείας ἔζησα Φαρισαῖος
NAS: to the strictest sect of our religion.
KJV: of our religion I lived
INT: of the of us religion I lived a Pharisee

Colossians 2:18 N-DFS
GRK: ταπεινοφροσύνῃ καὶ θρησκείᾳ τῶν ἀγγέλων
NAS: in self-abasement and the worship of the angels,
KJV: and worshipping of angels,
INT: humility and worship of the angels

James 1:26 N-NFS
GRK: μάταιος ἡ θρησκεία
NAS: this man's religion is worthless.
KJV: heart, this man's religion [is] vain.
INT: worthless [is] the religion

James 1:27 N-NFS
GRK: θρησκεία καθαρὰ καὶ
NAS: and undefiled religion in the sight
KJV: Pure religion and undefiled
INT: Religion pure and

Strong's Greek 2356
4 Occurrences

θρησκείᾳ — 3 Occ.
θρησκείας — 1 Occ.