4769. stulos

Lexicon

stulos: Pillar

Original Word: στῦλος
Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine
Transliteration: stulos
Pronunciation: STU-los
Phonetic Spelling: (stoo'-los)
Definition: Pillar
Meaning: a pillar, support, column.

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

pillar.

From stuo (to stiffen; properly akin to the base of histemi); a post ("style"), i.e. (figuratively) support -- pillar.

see GREEK histemi

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
a prim. word
Definition
a pillar
NASB Translation
pillar (2), pillars (2).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 4769: στῦλος

στῦλος (R G WH (Trin 1 Timothy 3:15; Revelation 10:1)), more correctly στῦλος (so L T (Tr in Galatians 2:9; Revelation 3:12)); see Passow (or Liddell and Scott), under the word, at the end (cf. Chandler §§ 274, 275; Lipsius, Gram. Untersuch., p. 43), στύλου, ὁ (from Aeschylus and Herodotus down), the Sept. often for עַמּוּד, a pillar, column: στῦλοι πυρός, pillars of fire, i. e. flames rising like columns, Revelation 10:1; ποιήσω αὐτόν στῦλον ἐν τῷ ναῷ τοῦ Θεοῦ μου, i. e. (dropping the figure) I will assign him a firm and abiding place in the everlasting kingdom of God, Revelation 3:12; used of persons to whose eminence and strength the stability and authority of any institution or organization are due, Galatians 2:9 (where cf. Lightfoot); Clement of Rome, 1 Cor. 5, 2 [ET] and the note in Gebhardt and Harnack (στῦλοι οἴκων εἰσί παῖδες ἄρσενες, Euripides, Iph. T. 57; examples from (Jewish writings are given by Schoettgen (on Galatians, the passage cited) and from) ecclesiastical writings by Suicer, Thesaurus, ii, p. 1045f; columen reipublicae, Cicero, pro Sest. 8, 19, and often elsewhere in Latin authors); a prop or support: τῆς ἀληθείας, 1 Timothy 3:15.

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: Derived from the base of 2476 (ἵστημι, histēmi), meaning "to stand."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: • 5982 עַמּוּד (ammud): A Hebrew term for a pillar or column, used in similar contexts to denote structural support and stability.
• 4676 מַצֵּבָה (matstsebah): Another Hebrew word for a pillar or monument, often used in religious or commemorative contexts.

Usage: The term στῦλος is used in the New Testament to describe physical pillars or columns, as well as metaphorically to denote individuals who are seen as foundational or supportive figures within the church.

Context: The Greek word στῦλος (stylos) appears in the New Testament primarily in contexts that emphasize strength, support, and foundational importance. In its literal sense, στῦλος refers to a structural column or pillar, an essential architectural element that provides support and stability to a building. This literal usage can be seen in descriptions of physical structures, such as the temple.

Metaphorically, στῦλος is employed to describe key figures within the early Christian community who serve as pillars of faith and leadership. For instance, in Galatians 2:9, the Apostle Paul refers to James, Cephas (Peter), and John as "pillars" of the church, highlighting their role as foundational leaders who uphold the truth of the Gospel. This metaphorical use underscores the importance of steadfastness and reliability in spiritual leadership.

In Revelation 3:12, the term is used in a promise to the faithful: "The one who overcomes, I will make a pillar in the temple of My God, and he will never again leave it." Here, στῦλος symbolizes permanence and honor in the presence of God, reflecting the eternal reward for those who remain faithful.

The concept of στῦλος as both a literal and metaphorical pillar emphasizes the dual nature of strength and support, whether in physical structures or in the spiritual community. It serves as a reminder of the importance of steadfastness and reliability, both in the physical and spiritual realms.

Forms and Transliterations

στήλου στιππύου στυλοι στύλοι στῦλοι στύλοις στυλον στύλον στῦλον στυλος στύλος στῦλος στύλου στύλους στύλω στύλων στυππίον στυππυίνου στυππυίνω στυρακίνην stuloi stulon stulos styloi stýloi stylon stýlon stylos stýlos

Englishman's Concordance

Galatians 2:9 N-NMP
GRK: οἱ δοκοῦντες στύλοι εἶναι δεξιὰς
NAS: who were reputed to be pillars, gave
KJV: to be pillars, perceived
INT: those reputed pillars to be [the] right hands

1 Timothy 3:15 N-NMS
GRK: θεοῦ ζῶντος στύλος καὶ ἑδραίωμα
NAS: God, the pillar and support
KJV: God, the pillar and
INT: of God [the] living pillar and base

Revelation 3:12 N-AMS
GRK: ποιήσω αὐτὸν στύλον ἐν τῷ
NAS: I will make him a pillar in the temple
KJV: will I make a pillar in
INT: I will make him a pillar in the

Revelation 10:1 N-NMP
GRK: αὐτοῦ ὡς στύλοι πυρός
NAS: and his feet like pillars of fire;
KJV: feet as pillars of fire:
INT: of him as pillars of fire

Strong's Greek 4769
4 Occurrences

στύλοι — 2 Occ.
στύλον — 1 Occ.
στύλος — 1 Occ.