Lexical Summary paizó: To play, to amuse oneself, to jest, to mock Original Word: παίζω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance play. From pais; to sport (as a boy) -- play. see GREEK pais NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom pais Definition to play as a child NASB Translation play (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 3815: παίζωπαίζω; from Homer down; properly, to play like a child; then universally, to play, sport, jest; to give way to hilarity, especially by joking, singing, dancing; so in 1 Corinthians 10:7, after Exodus 32:6 where it stands for צִחֵק, as in Genesis 21:9; Genesis 26:8; Judges 16:25; also in the Sept. for שִׂחַק. (Compare: ἐμπαίζω.) Topical Lexicon Biblical Occurrence The verb appears once in the Greek New Testament, in 1 Corinthians 10:7, where the Apostle Paul warns the Corinthian believers by recalling Israel’s failure at Sinai: “Do not be idolaters, as some of them were; as it is written: ‘The people sat down to eat and to drink, and rose up to play’” (Berean Standard Bible). Paul’s citation of Exodus 32:6 links the term with the unholy revelry that accompanied the worship of the golden calf. Historical Background Exodus 32 records Israel’s quick descent into idolatry while Moses was on the mountain. Their “playing” encompassed festive eating and drinking that slid into sensuality and pagan celebration. In the wider Greco-Roman world, similar scenes were common at cultic feasts honoring the gods. Paul selects this single term to bridge Israel’s ancient apostasy and the contemporary temptations faced by the Corinthian church, situated in a city renowned for its licentious festivals and temple banquets. Theological Themes 1. Idolatry and Syncretism 2. Carnal Festivity Versus Holy Joy 3. Corporate Responsibility Old Testament Parallels While the verb itself belongs to the Greek text, its Hebrew counterparts shed light on the concept: Each scene involves laughter or amusement that frames a larger moral issue—deception in Genesis, cruelty and idolatry in Judges. Moral and Pastoral Implications 1. Discernment in Leisure The passage challenges believers to test all forms of recreation. Activities that dull spiritual vigilance or flirt with immorality must be rejected. Music, meals, and fellowship should foster adoration of Christ, not mirror pagan excess. Paul’s contrast between “the cup of the Lord” and “the cup of demons” (1 Corinthians 10:21) is decisive. Aaron’s failure to restrain the people warns pastors and elders to confront sin promptly, guarding the flock from collective compromise. Practical Applications for the Church • Fellowship events should be structured to encourage prayer, gratitude, and edification rather than unguarded revelry. Contemporary Relevance Modern culture markets amusement as life’s highest aim. The solitary New Testament use of this verb stands as a timeless caution: when God’s people “rise up to play” in ways that eclipse reverence, they repeat Sinai’s tragedy. By recalling this event, Paul equips every generation to embrace joyful holiness, reject idolatrous substitutes, and glorify God in both worship and recreation. Forms and Transliterations παιζειν παίζειν παίζοντα παίζοντες παιζόντων παίζουσαι παίζων παιξάτω παιξάτωσαν παίξη παίξομαι paizein paízeinLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
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