Lexical Summary taxis: Order, arrangement, rank Original Word: τάξις Strong's Exhaustive Concordance order. From tasso; regular arrangement, i.e. (in time) fixed succession (of rank or character), official dignity -- order. see GREEK tasso HELPS Word-studies Cognate: 5010 táksis (a feminine noun, derived from 5021 /tássō, "to arrange, order") – properly, an arrangement (a brand of ordering), placing one member over another in rank, approval, etc. See 5021 (tassō). [5010 /táksis ("orderly array") was a military term in ancient Greece and thus used as a ready "metaphor in Paul's conversation with the soldiers in His confinement" (WS, 904). 5010 (taksis), as an ancient military term, describes an ordered troop ("cohort") – arranged in descending rank. This term suggests a detailed ordering rather than simply a general disposition of an army (as also in Thucydides, etc.).] NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom tassó Definition an arranging, order NASB Translation good discipline (1), order (7), orderly manner (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 5010: τάξιςτάξις, τάξεως, ἡ (τάσσω), from Aeschylus and Herodotus down; 1. an arranging, arrangement. 2. order, i. e. a fixed succession observing also a fixed time: Luke 1:8. 3. due or right order: κατά τάξιν, in order, 1 Corinthians 14:40; orderly condition, Colossians 2:5 (some give it here a military sense, 'orderly array', see στερέωμα, c.). 4. the post, rank, or position which one holds in civil or other affairs; and since this position generally depends on one's talents, experience, resources, τάξις becomes equivalent to character, fashion, quality, style, (2 Macc. 9:18 2Macc. 1:19; οὐ γάρ ἱστορίας, ἀλλά κουρεακης λαλιᾶς ἐμοί δοκοῦσι τάξιν ἔχειν, Polybius 3, 20, 5): κατά τήν τάξιν (for which in Hebrews 7:15 we have κατά τήν ὁμοιότητα) Μελχισέδεκ, after the manner of the priesthood (A. V. order) of Melchizedek (according to the Sept. of Psalm 109:5 The term conveys the concept of appointed order—an arrangement established for a purpose, whether that purpose is priestly service, corporate worship, military alignment, or moral discipline. It implies structure rather than rigidity, design rather than randomness, and intentionality rather than mere formality. Because Scripture presents God as a God “not of disorder but of peace” (1 Corinthians 14:33), τάξις serves to highlight how divine purposes are carried out through orderly means and ranks. Occurrences in Scripture • Luke 1:8 connects τάξις with the scheduled “division” of priests, demonstrating how centuries-old priestly assignments still operated in the Second Temple era. Historical Background In first-century Judaism, twenty-four priestly courses (1 Chronicles 24) rotated through temple service. Luke’s reference to Zechariah situates Christian history within that ordered Levitical framework. Greco-Roman readers would also hear military overtones—ranked formations, assigned stations—coloring Paul’s praise of the Colossians’ steadfast “line of battle” in the faith. Christological Significance: Order of Melchizedek Hebrews employs τάξις to argue for Jesus’ unique, eternal priesthood. Unlike the Aaronic priesthood—limited by genealogy, mortality, and temple ritual—the Melchizedekian order is: 1. Royal and priestly (Genesis 14:18; Psalm 110:4). Because Jesus holds this order “by the power of an indestructible life” (Hebrews 7:16), believers possess unceasing access to God, securing assurance and hope (Hebrews 6:19-20). Ecclesial and Liturgical Order Paul instructs Corinth that spiritual gifts must not eclipse congregational edification. The same Spirit who distributes gifts also mandates order, ensuring prophecy, tongues, and doctrine produce clarity, conviction, and comfort. Colossae stood as a model: their ordered discipline safeguarded them against plausible-sounding but empty philosophies (Colossians 2:4-5). Theological Themes 1. God’s sovereignty expresses itself through orderly structures. Practical Implications for Ministry Today • Worship services should balance freedom in the Spirit with clear, edifying structure. Summary Strong’s 5010 underscores the biblical truth that God advances His redemptive purposes through established order—whether in priestly lineage, congregational worship, or the eternal priesthood of Jesus Christ. Recognizing and embracing that order strengthens faith, guards doctrine, and magnifies the glory of the One who is both Architect and High Priest of our salvation. Englishman's Concordance Luke 1:8 N-DFSGRK: ἐν τῇ τάξει τῆς ἐφημερίας NAS: God in the [appointed] order of his division, KJV: God in the order of his course, INT: in the order of the division 1 Corinthians 14:40 N-AFS Colossians 2:5 N-AFS Hebrews 5:6 N-AFS Hebrews 5:10 N-AFS Hebrews 6:20 N-AFS Hebrews 7:11 N-AFS Hebrews 7:11 N-AFS Hebrews 7:17 N-AFS Strong's Greek 5010 |
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