2356. thréskeia

Lexicon

thréskeia: Religion, Worship

Original Word: θρησκεία
Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
Transliteration: thréskeia
Pronunciation: thrace-KI-ah
Phonetic Spelling: (thrace-ki'-ah)
Definition: Religion, Worship
Meaning: (underlying sense: reverence or worship of the gods), worship as expressed in ritual acts, religion.

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

Word Origin: Derived from θρησκός (thrēskos), meaning "religious" or "devout."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: While there is no direct Hebrew equivalent for θρησκεία, the concept of religious practice and worship can be related to several Hebrew terms, such as:

- עֲבוֹדָה (avodah) • Strong's Hebrew 5656, meaning "service" or "worship."
- דָּת (dat) • Strong's Hebrew 1881, meaning "law" or "decree," often used in the context of religious law.

These Hebrew terms similarly convey aspects of religious practice and observance, though they may not capture the full nuance of the Greek θρησκεία as used in the New Testament.

Usage: The word θρησκεία is used in the New Testament to describe the practice of religion, often highlighting the distinction between mere external observance and genuine, heartfelt devotion. It appears in contexts that critique superficial religiosity and emphasize the importance of true, inward faith.

Context: θρησκεία is a Greek term that appears in the New Testament to describe the practice of religion, particularly in its external and ceremonial aspects. It is used in a few key passages to illustrate the difference between outward religious practices and the true essence of faith.

In Acts 26:5, Paul uses the term to describe his former life in Judaism, emphasizing his strict adherence to the religious customs of the Pharisees: "They have known me for a long time and can testify, if they are willing, that I lived as a Pharisee according to the strictest sect of our religion (θρησκεία)."

James 1:26-27 provides a critical perspective on θρησκεία, contrasting empty religious rituals with genuine acts of faith: "If anyone considers himself religious (θρησκεία) and yet does not bridle his tongue, he deceives his heart and his religion (θρησκεία) is worthless. Pure and undefiled religion (θρησκεία) before our God and Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world."

Colossians 2:18 warns against being led astray by false humility and the worship of angels, which are described as a form of θρησκεία: "Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship (θρησκεία) of angels disqualify you with speculation about what he has seen."

These passages collectively highlight the New Testament's emphasis on the heart of true religion, which is characterized by love, compassion, and moral integrity, rather than mere ritualistic observance.

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.