Lexical Summary latreuó: To serve, to worship Original Word: λατρεύω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance serve, do the service, worshipFrom latris (a hired menial); to minister (to God), i.e. Render religious homage -- serve, do the service, worship(-per). HELPS Word-studies 3000 latreúō (from latris, "someone hired to accomplish a technical task because qualified") – properly, to render technical, acceptable service because specifically qualified (equipped). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom latris (a hired servant) Definition to serve NASB Translation offer (1), serve (15), served (1), service (1), serving (1), worship (1), worshiper (1), worshipers (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 3000: λατρεύωλατρεύω; future λατρεύσω; 1 aorist ἐλάτρευσα; (λάτρις a hireling, Latinlatro in Ennius and Plautus; λάτρον hire); in Greek writings a. to serve for hire; b. universally, to serve, minister to, either gods or men, and used alike of slaves and of freemen; in the N. T. to render religious service or homage, to worship (Hebrew עָבַד, Deuteronomy 6:13; Deuteronomy 10:12; Joshua 24:15); in a broad sense, λατρεύειν Θεῷ: Matthew 4:10 and Luke 4:8, (after Deuteronomy 6:13); Acts 7:7; Acts 24:14; Acts 27:23; Hebrews 9:14; Revelation 7:15; Revelation 22:3; of the worship of idols, Acts 7:42; Romans 1:25 (Exodus 20:5; Exodus 23:24; Ezekiel 20:32). Phrases relating to the manner of worshipping are these: Θεῷ (so R G) λατρεύειν πενυματι (dative of instrumentality), with the spirit or soul, Philippians 3:3, but L T Tr WH have correctly restored πενυαμτι Θεοῦ, i. e. prompted by, filled with, the Spirit of God, so that the dative of the person (τῷ Θεῷ) is suppressed; ἐν τῷ πνεύματι μου ἐν τῷ εὐαγγελίῳ, in my spirit in delivering the glad tidings, Romans 1:9; τῷ Θεῷ ἐν καθαρά συνειδήσει, 2 Timothy 1:3; μετά αἰδοῦς καί εὐλαβείας or (so L T Tr WH) μετά εὐλαβείας καί δέους, Hebrews 12:28; ἐν ὁσιότητι καί δικαιοσύνη, Luke 1:74; (without the dative Θεῷ) νηστείαις καί δεήσεσι, Luke 2:37; λατρεύειν, absolutely, to worship God (cf. Winer's Grammar, 593 (552)), Acts 26:7. in the strict sense; "to perform sacred services, to offer gifts, to worship God in the observance of the rites instituted for his worship": absolutely, Hebrews 9:9; Hebrews 10:2; specifically, of the priests, to officiate, to discharge the sacred office: with a dative of the sacred thing to which the service is rendered, Hebrews 8:5; Hebrews 13:10. (Euripides, others.) The verb λατρεύω occurs twenty-one times in the Greek New Testament and always relates to rendering religious service. It ranges from formal temple ministry (Hebrews 8:5) to the continual life-devotion of believers (Philippians 3:3), reaching its climax in the eternal worship of the redeemed (Revelation 22:3). Old Testament Foundations In the Greek Septuagint λατρεύω regularly translates Hebrew avad (“serve, worship”). From Israel’s call out of Egypt—“when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God on this mountain” (Exodus 3:12)—the word denotes covenant loyalty expressed in sacrificial service. New Testament writers draw on this background to affirm that the God who once received earthly temple ministry now receives spiritual service through Jesus Christ. Exclusive Devotion: Worship versus Idolatry 1. The first two uses in the Gospels quote Deuteronomy 6:13: “Worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only” (Matthew 4:10; Luke 4:8). This sets an absolute boundary: λατρεύω belongs to God alone. Christ, the Mediator of Acceptable Worship Hebrews develops the theme that only through the redemptive work of Christ is worship acceptable: Because of the cross, what was restricted to Levitical priests is opened to all who draw near “by a new and living way” (Hebrews 10:20). The Priesthood of All Believers Philippians 3:3 identifies the church as the true circumcision, “who worship by the Spirit of God, glory in Christ Jesus, and put no confidence in the flesh.” Paul’s own example underscores continual priestly service: “For God, whom I serve with my spirit in preaching the gospel of His Son, is my witness” (Romans 1:9; cf. 2 Timothy 1:3). Similarly, Paul before Felix testifies, “I worship the God of our fathers according to the Way” (Acts 24:14). Worship Expressed in Daily Life and Mission • Luke 1:74 looks forward to a redeemed people “to serve Him without fear, in holiness and righteousness.” Corporate Worship with Reverence and Awe “Therefore, since we are receiving an unshakable kingdom, let us offer to God acceptable worship with reverence and awe” (Hebrews 12:28). The exhortation links gospel grace (“receiving”) with liturgical response (“offer”), grounding gathered worship in the finished work of Christ while requiring heartfelt devotion. Hebrews 13:10 reminds believers that their altar is Christ Himself, conferring priestly privilege yet demanding holiness. Eschatological Fulfillment The final two appearances of λατρεύω lift the reader’s gaze to eternity: Here the earthly shadows give way to unending, unobstructed service. The saints’ worship is undivided, their access immediate, and their joy complete. Practical Implications for Ministry Today 1. Worship is whole-life service; vocation, witness, and gathered praise are unified acts offered to God alone. Summary Strong’s Greek 3000 portrays worship as covenantal service rendered exclusively to the living God, purified through Christ’s sacrifice, empowered by the Spirit, expressed in every sphere of life, and perfected in the age to come. Englishman's Concordance Matthew 4:10 V-FIA-2SGRK: αὐτῷ μόνῳ λατρεύσεις NAS: YOUR GOD, AND SERVE HIM ONLY.' KJV: him only shalt thou serve. INT: him alone will you serve Luke 1:74 V-PNA Luke 2:37 V-PPA-NFS Luke 4:8 V-FIA-2S Acts 7:7 V-FIA-3P Acts 7:42 V-PNA Acts 24:14 V-PIA-1S Acts 26:7 V-PPA-NNS Acts 27:23 V-PIA-1S Romans 1:9 V-PIA-1S Romans 1:25 V-AIA-3P Philippians 3:3 V-PPA-NMP 2 Timothy 1:3 V-PIA-1S Hebrews 8:5 V-PIA-3P Hebrews 9:9 V-PPA-AMS Hebrews 9:14 V-PNA Hebrews 10:2 V-PPA-AMP Hebrews 12:28 V-PSA-1P Hebrews 13:10 V-PPA-NMP Revelation 7:15 V-PIA-3P Revelation 22:3 V-FIA-3P Strong's Greek 3000 |
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