5314. phagos

Lexical Summary

phagos: Eater, glutton

Original Word: φάγος
Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine
Transliteration: phagos
Pronunciation: FAH-gos
Phonetic Spelling: (fag'-os)
KJV: gluttonous
NASB: gluttonous
Word Origin: [from G5315 (φάγω - To eat)]

1. a glutton

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

gluttonous.

From phago; a glutton -- gluttonous.

see GREEK phago

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from phagomai
Definition
a glutton
NASB Translation
gluttonous (2).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 5314: φάγος

φάγος, 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!”
• Luke 7:34 – The identical accusation is repeated: “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.
2. First-century Greco-Roman society also linked gluttony with moral weakness; philosophers mocked overindulgence as slavery to the belly.
3. Old Testament law branded a “glutton and drunkard” as stubborn and rebellious (Deuteronomy 21:20), liable to severe discipline. By echoing that phrase, Jesus’ critics implied He merited covenantal censure.

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).
• Wisdom Vindicated – Both passages end with an affirmation that divine wisdom outlasts human misjudgment. The fruit of Jesus’ ministry—transformed lives—proves the accusation false.
• True Defilement – Jesus later declares that what proceeds from the heart, not what enters the stomach, defiles a person (Mark 7:18-23). Thus, the slur of “glutton” is exposed as superficial.

Links to the Wider Canon

• Proverbs 23:20-21 warns that gluttony and drunkenness lead to poverty.
• Isaiah 5:11-12 condemns those who rise early to run after drink, neglecting the deeds of the LORD.
• Philippians 3:19 describes enemies of the cross whose “god is their belly,” showing the continuing danger of appetite as idol.
• Titus 1:12 records a Cretan proverb about being “lazy gluttons,” then urges self-control by the Spirit.

Ministerial Application

1. Hospitality Without Excess – Jesus ate with sinners yet never sinned; His church must embrace table fellowship while modeling temperance.
2. Guarding Reputation – Leaders should avoid legitimate grounds for reproach (1 Timothy 3:2-3), though unfounded slander may still arise.
3. Discernment of Motives – Opposition may mask itself as zeal for righteousness while rejecting God’s grace. Believers must weigh accusations against scriptural truth and observable fruit.

Warnings and Encouragements

• Beware equating external asceticism with holiness; genuine sanctification governs the heart’s desires.
• Expect misrepresentation when following Christ; respond with consistent godliness, trusting that “wisdom is vindicated by her children” (Matthew 11:19).
• Practice Spirit-enabled self-control; gluttony, like drunkenness, opposes the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:23).

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 phágos

Englishman's Concordance

Matthew 11:19 N-NMS
GRK: 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
GRK: Ἰδοὺ ἄνθρωπος φάγος καὶ οἰνοπότης
NAS: Behold, a gluttonous man
KJV: ye say, Behold a gluttonous man, and
INT: Behold a man a glutton and a drunkard

Strong's Greek 5314
2 Occurrences

φάγος — 2 Occ.