Lexical Summary phagos: Eater, glutton Original Word: φάγος Strong's Exhaustive Concordance gluttonous. From phago; a glutton -- gluttonous. see GREEK phago NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom phagomai Definition a glutton NASB Translation gluttonous (2). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 5314: φάγοςφάγος, φαγου, ὁ (φάγω), a voracious man, a glutton (it is a substantive, and differs from φάγος the adjective; cf. φυγος, φειδος; see Fritzsche on Mark, p. 790ff, but cf. Lipsius, Gram. Untersuch., p. 28; Winer's Grammar, § 16, 3 c. α. (and § 6, 1 i.; especially Chandler § 230)): joined with οἰνοπότης, Matthew 11:19; Luke 7:34. Topical Lexicon Root and Semantic Field Derived from the idea of voracious eating, φάγος denotes one whose appetite is excessive, uncontrolled, and publicly evident. In the New Testament it is used adjectivally to label someone “a glutton,” an accusation aimed at undermining moral credibility. While the term itself is rare, its root concept (to eat greedily) is widespread, connecting φάγος to warnings against carnal indulgence found throughout Scripture. Occurrences in Scripture • Matthew 11:19 – Critics of Jesus sneer: “Look at Him—a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!” In both places φάγος is paired with “drunkard,” creating a two-fold slander: overindulgence in food and overindulgence in drink. The charge is framed by opponents who resist the revelation of God in Christ, contrasting Jesus with John the Baptist’s ascetic lifestyle (Matthew 11:18; Luke 7:33). Historical and Cultural Context 1. Pharisaic piety valued fasting and visible self-denial. A rabbi who ate freely with common folk risked social suspicion. Theological Themes • Messianic Identity Tested – The label φάγος intends to disqualify Jesus as the righteous Messiah. Yet the very hospitality they disdain is a sign of His messianic mission to “seek and to save the lost” (Luke 19:10). Links to the Wider Canon • Proverbs 23:20-21 warns that gluttony and drunkenness lead to poverty. Ministerial Application 1. Hospitality Without Excess – Jesus ate with sinners yet never sinned; His church must embrace table fellowship while modeling temperance. Warnings and Encouragements • Beware equating external asceticism with holiness; genuine sanctification governs the heart’s desires. Practical Reflection Every shared meal can proclaim the gospel when believers model gratitude, moderation, and openhearted welcome. The slur φάγος, hurled at the Lord, reminds His disciples that true fellowship may be misunderstood, yet faithful ministry never bows to the fear of man. Forms and Transliterations φαγος φάγος phagos phágosLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Matthew 11:19 N-NMSGRK: Ἰδοὺ ἄνθρωπος φάγος καὶ οἰνοπότης NAS: Behold, a gluttonous man KJV: a man gluttonous, and INT: Behold a man a glutton and a drunkard Luke 7:34 N-NMS |