Lexical Summary neókoros: Temple keeper, temple warden Original Word: νεωκόρος Strong's Exhaustive Concordance a temple keeper, guardianFrom a form of naos and koreo (to sweep); a temple-servant, i.e. (by implication) a votary -- worshipper. see GREEK naos NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom a form of naos and koreó (to sweep) Definition a temple keeper NASB Translation guardian of the temple (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 3511: νεωκόροςνεωκόρος, νεωκορου, ὁ, ἡ (νεώς or ναός, and κορέω to sweep; (questioned by some; a hint of this derivation is found in Philo de sacerd. honor. § 6 (cf. νεωκορία, de somniis 2, 42), and Hesychius (under the word) defines the word ὁ τόν ναόν κόσμων. κόρειν γάρ τό σαίρειν ἔλεγον (cf. under the word σηκοκόρος; so Etym. Magn. 407, 27, cf. under the word νεωκόρος); yet Suidas under the word κόρη, p. 2157 c. says νεωκόρος οὐχ ὁ Σαρών τοῦ νεωκορου ἀλλ' ὁ ἐπιμελουμενος αὐτοῦ (cf. under the words, νεωκόρος, σηκοκόρος); hence, some connect the last half with root κορ, κολ, cf. Latincuro, colo)); 1. properly, one who sweeps and cleans a temple. 2. one who has charge of a temple, to keep and adorn it, a sacristan: Xenophon, an. 5, 3, 6; Plato, legg. 6, p. 759 a. 3. the worshipper of a deity (οὕς i. e. the Israelites ὁ Θεός ἑαυτῷ νεωκορους ἦγεν through the wilderness, Josephus, b. j. 5, 9, 4); as appears from coins still extant, it was an honorary title (temple-keeper or temple-warden (cf. 2 above)) of certain cities, especially of Asia Minor, in which the special worship of some deity or even of some deified human ruler had been established (cf. Stephanus, Thesaurus, v., p. 1472f; (cf. B. D., under the word worshipper)); so νεωκόρος ... τῆς Ἀρτέμιδος, of Ephesus, Acts 19:35; (see Lightfoot in Contemp. Rev. for 1878, p. 294f; Wood, Discoveries at Ephesus (Lond. 1877), Appendix, passim). The single New Testament occurrence of νεωκόρος (Strong’s 3511) appears in the Ephesian town clerk’s address after the riot begun by the silversmiths: “Men of Ephesus, does anyone not know that the city of Ephesus is guardian of the temple of the great Artemis and of her image that fell from Zeus?” (Acts 19:35). The term translated “guardian of the temple” carries civic, religious, and political weight, highlighting how deeply Artemis worship shaped Ephesian identity. Civic and Political Significance in Asia Minor 1. Honorary Title for a City 2. Role of Individuals Religious Landscape Confronted by the Gospel 1. Contrast of Dead Idols and the Living God 2. Temple Guardianship vs. Believers as God’s Temple Historical Corroboration Archaeology confirms the term’s currency. Coins minted at Ephesus bear the legend ΝΕΩΚΟΡΩΝ, and dedicatory stones celebrate successive “temple wardenships.” Such data verify Luke’s accuracy and provide a chronological anchor for Acts 19 in the early 50s A.D., when Ephesus held the first of its three titles. Implications for Mission and Ministry 1. Understanding the Host Culture 2. Guarding the True Temple Theological Reflection The solitary appearance of νεωκόρος encapsulates the larger biblical narrative: humanity often lavishes honor on temples of its own making, yet God seeks worship in spirit and truth (John 4:23). The gospel’s advance into Ephesus dethroned a revered cult, not by violence, but by demonstrating that the crucified and risen Christ alone is worthy of eternal guardianship. |
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