Lexical Summary techné: Art, skill, craft, trade Original Word: τέχνη Strong's Exhaustive Concordance art, craft, occupation. From the base of tikto; art (as productive), i.e. (specially), a trade, or (generally) skill -- art, craft, occupation. see GREEK tikto NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom tektón Definition art, craft, trade NASB Translation art (1), craft (1), trade (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 5078: τέχνητέχνη, τέχνης, ἡ (from τεκεῖν, see τέκτων), from Homer down, art: universally, Revelation 18:22 (here A. V. craft); of the plastic art, Acts 17:29; of a trade (as often in Greek writings), Acts 18:3. Topical Lexicon Definition and Scope The term τέχνη (technē) speaks of skilled workmanship, practical craft, or professional trade. It encompasses everything from artistic ability to manual labor, highlighting human ingenuity exercised through learned technique. Occurrences in the New Testament 1. Acts 17:29 – Paul challenges the Athenians’ idolatry, noting that “the Divine Being is not like an image fashioned by human art and imagination.” Background in the Greco-Roman World In first-century society, artisans occupied a vital yet socially mixed stratum. Ceramicists, metalworkers, sculptors, tentmakers, and other specialists formed guilds, supplied temples, and supported the economy. Their products often served civic pride, domestic use, and—critically—pagan worship. Because statues, shrines, and ritual implements were produced by such craftsmen, the line between commerce and idolatry was thin. Biblical Theology of Human Skill Scripture consistently affirms that manual and artistic abilities originate from God. Bezalel and Oholiab were “filled … with skill” to build the tabernacle (Exodus 31:1-6), and wisdom is described as “fashioning” creation itself (Proverbs 3:19). Yet human craft never confers divine status upon its products. Isaiah 44:9-20 ridicules the idol-maker who burns half his wood for fuel and worships the rest. Technē, therefore, is good when subordinated to God’s glory and perilous when commandeered for self-exaltation or false worship. Paul the Tentmaker and Marketplace Ministry Acts 18:3 shows Paul supporting himself through tentmaking. His example grounds a theology of bivocational ministry: Modern missions frequently emulate Paul, enabling church planters to enter regions closed to traditional clergy. Idolatrous Art and the Warning of Acts 17:29 Standing on the Areopagus, Paul contrasts the living God with images “fashioned by human art.” Technē cannot capture divine essence; any attempt reduces God to creaturely form. The passage recalls Psalm 115:4-8, which describes idols as “the work of men’s hands,” powerless and lifeless. Consequently, the Church must evaluate cultural artifacts—visual arts, technology, entertainment—lest homage drift from Creator to creation. The Fall of Babylon and the End of Earthly Craft Revelation 18:22 depicts a future silence: musical performers, millstones, and craftsmen disappear from Babylon. Human ingenuity, once celebrated in the city’s luxury, is extinguished under judgment. Technē, though impressive, is temporary; only works done in Christ endure (1 Corinthians 3:13-14). The verse comforts believers under oppression, promising that oppressive systems enriched by exploitative crafts will be overthrown. Practical Ministry Applications • Encourage Christians to view vocations—carpentry, engineering, design, technology—as callings to reflect God’s creativity and serve neighbor. Selected Related Scripture Exodus 31:1-6; Isaiah 44:9-20; Psalm 115:4-8; Proverbs 22:29; 1 Corinthians 3:10-15; 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12; 2 Thessalonians 3:8-10; Revelation 18:22. Forms and Transliterations τεχνη τέχνη τέχνῃ τέχνην τεχνης τέχνης techne technē téchnei téchnēi technes technēs téchnes téchnēsLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Acts 17:29 N-GFSGRK: λίθῳ χαράγματι τέχνης καὶ ἐνθυμήσεως NAS: an image formed by the art and thought KJV: stone, graven by art and man's INT: to stone a graven thing craft and imagination Acts 18:3 N-DFS Revelation 18:22 N-GFS Strong's Greek 5078 |
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