Worship - Greek Words

Worship (Verb and Noun), worshipping

A. Verbs.

proskunevw 4352 to make obeisance, do reverence to (from pros, towards, and kuneoµ, to kiss), is the most frequent word rendered to worship. It is used of an act of homage or reverence (a) to God, e.g., Matt. 4:10; John 4:21-24; 1 Cor. 14:25; Rev. 4:10; 5:14; 7:11; 11:16; 19:10 (2nd part) and 22:9; (b) to Christ, e.g., Matt. 2:2, 8, 11; 8:2; 9:18; 14:33; 15:25; 20:20; 28:9, 17; John 9:38; Heb. 1:6, in a quotation from the Sept. of Deut. 32:43, referring to Christ’s Second Advent; (c) to a man, Matt. 18:26; (d) to the Dragon, by men, Rev. 13:4; (e) to the Beast, his human instrument, Rev. 13:4, 8, 12; 14:9, 11; (f) the image of the Beast, 13:15; 14:11; 16:2; (g) to demons, Rev. 9:20; (h) to idols, Acts 7:43.

Note: As to Matt. 18:26, this is mentioned as follows, in the "List of readings and renderings preferred by the American Committee" (see R.V. Classes of Passages, IV): "At the word ‘worship’ in Matt. 2:2, etc., add the marginal note ‘The Greek word denotes an act of reverence, whether paid to man (see chap. 18:26) or to God (see chap. 4:10)’." The Note to John 9:38 in the American Standard Version in this connection is most unsound; it implies that Christ was a creature. J. N. Darby renders the verb ‘do homage’ [see the Revised Preface to the Second Edition (1871) of his New Translation].

sevbomai 4576 to revere, stressing the feeling of awe or devotion, is used of worship (a) to God, Matt. 15:9; Mark 7:7; Acts 16:14; 18:7, 13; (b) to a goddess, Acts 19:27. See Devout, No. 3.

sebavzomai 4573 akin to No. 2, to honour religiously, is used in Rom. 1:25.¶

latreuvw 3000 to serve, to render religious service or homage, is translated to worship in Phil. 3:3, "(who) worship (by the Spirit of God)," R.V., A.V., "(which) worship (God in the spirit)"; the R.V. renders it to serve (for A.V., to worship) in Acts 7:42; 24:14; A.V. and R.V., "(the) worshippers" in Heb. 10:2, present participle, lit., ‘(the ones) worshipping.’ See Serve.

latreiva 2999 akin to latreuvw , primarily hired service, is used (a) of the service of God in connection with the Tabernacle, Rom. 9:4; Heb. 9:1, "Divine service;" ver. 6, plural, R.V., "services" (A.V., "service", and, in italics, "of God"); (b) of the intelligent service of believers in presenting their bodies to God, a living sacrifice, Rom. 12:1, R.V. marg., "worship;" (c) of imagined service to God by persecutors of Christ’s followers, John 16:2.

eujsebevw 2151 to act piously towards, is translated "ye worship" in Acts 17:23. See Piety (to shew).

Notes: (1) The worship of God is nowhere defined in Scripture. A consideration of the above verbs shows that it is not confined to praise; broadly it may be regarded as the direct acknowledgement to God, of His nature, attributes, ways and claims, whether by the outgoing of the heart in praise and thanksgiving or by deed done in such acknowledgment. (2) In Acts 17:25 therapeuoµ, to serve, do service to (so R.V.), is rendered "is worshipped." See Cure, Heal.

B. Nouns

sevbasma 4574 denotes an object of worship (akin to A, No. 3); Acts 17:23 (see Devotion); in 2 Thess. 2:4, "that is worshipped;" every object of worship, whether the true God or pagan idols, will come under the ban of the Man of Sin.¶

ejqeloqrhskeiva 1479 will–worship (etheloµ, to will, threµskeia, worship), occurs in Col. 2:23, voluntarily adopted worship, whether unbidden or forbidden, not that which is imposed by others, but which one affects.¶

qrhskeiva 2356 for which see Religion, is translated "worshipping" in Col. 2:18. Signifies religion in its external aspect (akin to threµskos, see below), religious worship, especially the ceremonial service of religion; it is used of the religion of the Jews, Acts 26:5; of the "worshipping" of angels, Col. 2:18, which they themselves repudiate (Rev. 22:8, 9); "there was an officious parade of humility in selecting these lower beings as intercessors rather than appealing directly to the Throne of Grace" (Lightfoot); in Jas. 1:26, 27 the writer purposely uses the word to set in contrast that which is unreal and deceptive, and the "pure religion" which consists in visiting "the fatherless and widows in their affliction," and in keeping oneself "unspotted from the world." He is "not herein affirming … these offices to be the sum total, nor yet the great essentials, of true religion, but declares them to be the body, the threµskeia, of which godliness, or the love of God, is the informing soul" (Trench).

proskunhthvV 4353 one who worships -- akin to proskuneoµ (see Worship, A, No. 1), occurs in John 4:23.

Note: In Luke 14:10, A.V., doxa, "glory" (R.V.), is translated "worship."

The Church

Col 1:18 And he is the head of the body, the body. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.

The Path to Godliness Leads through the Valley of Suffering

The Church

Eph 5:23 For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior.

Rejoice in the midst of Sufferings

1 Cor. 12:24-25 but our presentable parts have no need. But God composed the body, having given greater honor to that part which lacks it, 25 that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. 1 Peter 1:6-7 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith--more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire--may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

The Body

Romans 12:4-5 For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.