Lexical Summary homileó: To converse, to speak, to talk Original Word: ὁμιλέω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance commune, talk. From homilos; to be in company with, i.e. (by implication) to converse -- commune, talk. see GREEK homilos NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom homilos (a crowd, throng) Definition to consort with, hence to converse with NASB Translation converse (1), talked (1), talking (2). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 3656: ὁμιλέωὁμιλέω, ὁμίλω; imperfect ὡμίλουν; 1 aorist participle ὁμιλήσας; (ὅμιλος, which see); frequent in Greek writings from Homer down; to be in company with; to associate with; to stay with; hence, to converse with, talk with: τίνι, with one (Daniel 1:19), Acts 24:26; namely, αὐτοῖς, Acts 20:11 (so A. V. talked), unless one prefer to render it when he had stayed in their company; πρός τινα, Luke 24:14 (Xenophon, mem. 4, 3, 2; Josephus, Antiquities 11, 6, 11; (cf. Winers Grammar, 212f (200); Buttmann, § 133, 83); νε τῷ ὁμιλεῖν αὐτούς namely, ἀλλήλοις, ibid. 15. (Compare: συνομιλέω.) Topical Lexicon OverviewStrong’s Greek 3656 portrays the earnest, personal exchange of words that occurs when people walk together, linger over a meal, or seek counsel. While always conversational, it can extend to sustained discourse, shaping hearts and minds through shared reflection on the works of God. Its four New Testament occurrences cluster in Luke–Acts, where Spirit-empowered testimony spreads from the empty tomb to the Roman governor’s palace. Narrative Settings 1. Emmaus Road Dialogue (Luke 24:14-15) Two bewildered disciples “were talking with each other about all these things that had happened” and “Jesus Himself came up and walked along with them.” The verb frames a journey-long conversation in which the risen Christ gently exposes their misunderstandings and grounds their faith in “all the Scriptures.” The scene models how the Lord still enters ordinary conversations to open eyes and set hearts aflame (Luke 24:32). 2. Upper Room at Troas (Acts 20:11) After Eutychus is restored to life, Paul “went back upstairs, broke bread, and ate. And after speaking until dawn, he departed.” The all-night interchange shows apostolic teaching as an interactive event woven into fellowship and table life. Far from a perfunctory sermon, it is an extended sharing that produces resilient believers even in perilous circumstances (Acts 20:24). 3. Private Audience with Felix (Acts 24:26) Governor Felix “sent for him frequently and conversed with him.” Though Felix’s motives were mixed, Paul’s repeated conversations display the gospel’s readiness to engage rulers, answering questions over time rather than relying on a single speech. The verb underscores persistence in evangelism—even when the listener’s heart is divided. Historical Background First-century moral philosophers often taught by dialogue while walking or reclining at banquets. Luke situates Christian witness within this cultural pattern yet fills it with Scripture exposition, resurrection reality, and Spirit-given boldness. By employing this term, he highlights a method of instruction accessible to common folk and magistrates alike. Theological Themes • Incarnational Presence: Jesus joins disciples in everyday speech, turning casual talk into revelation. Ministry Implications 1. Small-Group Discipleship Regular, Scripture-guided discussion remains vital for nurturing faith. Churches can echo Emmaus by encouraging believers to process life events in the light of God’s promises. 2. Interactive Preaching and Teaching Paul’s example in Troas invites pastors to create settings where questions are welcomed and doctrine is digested through mutual exchange, not mere monologue. 3. Personal Evangelism Felix’s corridor conversations remind believers that gospel persuasion often unfolds over repeated sessions. Financial or political agendas in a hearer’s heart need not deter ongoing engagement. Pastoral Counsel • Walk and Talk: Intentionally pair physical presence with spiritual dialogue—around the neighborhood, hospital corridors, or family tables. Related Biblical Echoes Deuteronomy 6:7; Malachi 3:16; Hebrews 10:24-25—all commend Spirit-led speech among believers that fortifies covenant faithfulness. Summary Strong’s 3656 depicts conversation as a divinely appointed conduit for revelation, discipleship, and evangelism. Whether on a dusty road, in an upper-story gathering, or before a skeptical governor, believers who embrace this relational ministry pattern participate in the same life-transforming dialogue that began on Resurrection Day and continues to the ends of the earth. Forms and Transliterations ομιλειν ομιλείν ὁμιλεῖν ομιλείτε ομιλείτω ομιλησας ομιλήσας ὁμιλήσας ομιλήσει ωμιλει ωμίλει ὡμίλει ωμιλουν ωμίλουν ὡμίλουν homilei homílei hōmilei hōmílei homilein homileîn homilesas homilēsas homilḗsas homiloun homíloun hōmiloun hōmíloun omilei ōmilei omilein omilesas omilēsas omiloun ōmilounLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Luke 24:14 V-IIA-3PGRK: καὶ αὐτοὶ ὡμίλουν πρὸς ἀλλήλους NAS: And they were talking with each other KJV: And they talked together of INT: and they were talking with one another Luke 24:15 V-PNA Acts 20:11 V-APA-NMS Acts 24:26 V-IIA-3S Strong's Greek 3656 |