the Sixth Week after Epiphany
free while helping to build churches and support pastors in Uganda.
Click here to learn more!
Bible Dictionaries
Pillar
Vine's Expository Dictionary of NT Words
"a column supporting the weight of a building," is used (a) metaphorically, of those who bear responsibility in the churches, as of the elders in the church at Jerusalem, Galatians 2:9; of a local church as to its responsibility, in a collective capacity, to maintain the doctrines of the faith by teaching and practice, 1 Timothy 3:15; some would attach this and the next words to the statement in ver. 16; the connection in the Eng. versions seems preferable; (b) figuratively in Revelation 3:12 , indicating a firm and permanent position in the spiritual, heavenly and eternal Temple of God; (c) illustratively, of the feet of the angel in the vision in Revelation 10:1 , seen as flames rising like columns of fire indicative of holiness and consuming power, and thus reflecting the glory of Christ as depicted in Revelation 1:15; cp. Ezekiel 1:7 .
These files are public domain.
Vines, W. E., M. A. Entry for 'Pillar'. Vine's Expository Dictionary of NT Words. https://www.studylight.org/​dictionaries/​eng/​ved/​p/pillar.html. 1940.