Language Studies

Greek Thoughts

SEBOMAI* - Part 1 - εχηγεομαι (Strong's #1834)
To worship, to be devout, to show reverence and respect

Please note that all Biblical quotes, in this and all other lessons posted to Greek Thoughts, are from The Literal English Translation of the Bible produced by BTE Ministries - The Bible Translation and Exegesis Institute of America.

In previous weeks, we did an extensive study on προσκυνὲω (Strong's #4352), the primary Greek word which means to worship as expressed in submission and reverence. This week we begin a study of another important word that is translated "worship" in many English translations, σὲβομαι (Strong's #4576), which means to worship in the sense of showing reverence, respect, and honor. It is important that we understand the different meanings of the words translated "worship" so that we can properly apply the concepts intended by the writers of scripture. In order to gain the proper perspective and understanding of σὲβομαι, we are going to study this word from four places in the Book of Acts.

Acts 13:43

43)

And after the synagogue was dismissed, many of the Jews and of the devout (σὲβομαι) proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas; who, while speaking to them, were persuading them that they should remain^F1 in the grace of God.

During Paul's first missionary journey, he and those with him came to Antioch of Pisidia. On the Sabbath Day, they went into the synagogue and were asked to speak. Paul gave a detailed presentation of the gospel, and afterward, many of the Gentiles asked if he would continue his presentation on the following Sabbath. Then we are told, in Acts 13:43, that after the synagogue service was dismissed, many of the Jews and devout proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas. From this verse we understand that σὲβομαι (devout) is used to describe proselytes of Judaism who have a religious reverence for God, but who are not saved.

Acts 13:50

50)

And the Jews stirred up the worshiping (σὲβομαι) and official women, and the leading men of the city, and raised up a persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and they threw them out from their borders.

When Paul and Barnabas spoke the Word of the Lord on the following Sabbath, the Jewish religious leaders opposed the things being spoken by Paul with contradicting and blasphemous words (Acts 13:45). Paul cited Isaiah 42:6; 49:6 to show that after attempting to reach the Jews first, God destined the gospel to be preached to the Gentiles. This enraged the Jewish leaders to the point that they stirred up the devout or worshiping (σὲβομαι) and official women, along with the leading men of the city, and raised up a persecution against Paul and Barnabas. This persecution became so great that Paul and those with him were thrown out of Antioch of Pisidia. The word σὲβομαι is used to describe the prominent and religious women of the city. In this scripture, the word σὲβομαι is again used to represent a type of person who is very religious and who holds an honorable position in the society in Antioch. Once again, it denotes one who is religious, but not saved.

Acts 16:14

4)

And a certain woman, Lydia by name, a seller of purple of the city of Thyatira, one reverencing (σὲβομαι) God, was listening; of whose heart the Lord completely opened, in order that she might pay attention^F2 to the things being spoken by Paul.

During Paul's second missionary journey, he traveled back through the cities in the area of Galatia. After having received a calling from the Lord to go into Macedonia, he went and stayed in the city of Philippi. On the Sabbath, he went out to a place along the river where Jews were known to gather if there was no official synagogue in the city. After sitting down, Paul and his group were speaking with the women who had gathered there. The Lord completely opened one woman's heart so that she could be attentive and responsive to the words being spoken by Paul. Before her conversion, Lydia was a woman who reverenced (σὲβομαι) God. Once again σὲβομαι is used to show a devout religious person, one who gave reverence and honor to God each Sabbath, but who was not saved until the Lord opened her heart to be receptive to Paul's message of the gospel.

Acts 19:26-27

24)

For a certain silversmith, Demetrius by name, while making silver temples of Artemis, was bringing to the craftsmen no small business,

25)

after whom he brought together, and the workmen concerning such things, he said, "Men, you understand that our wealth is from out of this business;

26)

"and you observe and hear, that considerable people, not only of Ephesus, but almost all of Asia, after this Paul had persuaded them, he turned them away saying that, 'The gods being made through hands are not gods.'

27)

"And not only this portion of trade is in danger for us that it should come^F3 into disrepute, but also that the temple of the great goddess Artimus should be counted^F4 for nothing, and her majesty is about to be destroyed, whom the whole region of Asia and the habitable world worships (σὲβομαι)."

During Paul's third missionary journey, he traveled to Ephesus and spent considerable time there preaching that the idols being worshiped there were not truly gods. When people started turning from the worship of idols to serve the Living God, a union worker by the name of Demetrius called his fellow craftsmen together to address the problems they were facing as a result of Paul's teachings: First, their business was becoming disreputable among the people and they were about to lose the source of their wealth. Second, the temple of Artimus was beginning to be considered as nothing. Third, the majesty and reputation of Artimus was about to be destroyed. Demetrius then finished his appeal by emphasizing that all in Asia and the habitable world were worshiping (σὲβομαι) Artimus.

These scripture texts establish for us that the word σὲβομαι is a word used to describe devout, religious people who are worshiping God, and even idols, but are doing so in their own religious way. In most societies, expressing a reverence and an honor toward God through religious worship would be considered an honorable and pious thing to do. Many today worship God in this same religious way, but they are not saved and do not belong to Christ. By taking this short survey of σὲβομαι, we establish that not all words translated as "worship" or "devout" represent the expression of people who belong to Christ. This understanding lays the foundation for our study next as we consider the message of Jesus to the "worshippers" in Matthew 15:7-9 and Mark 7:6-8.

* SEBOMAI is the English font spelling of the Greek word σὲβομαι.

F1: The infinitive of purpose ἐπιμὲνειν, "to continue," is translated νὰ͂ἐμμὲνωσιν, "that they should remain."

F2: The infinitive of purpose προσὲχειν, "to pay attention," is translated διὰ͂νὰ͂προσὲχῃ, "in order that she might pay attention."

F3: The infinitive of result ἐλθεῖν, "to come," is translated νὰ͂ἔλθῃ, "that it should come."

F4: The infinitive of result λογισθῆναι, "to be counted," is translated νὰ͂λογισθῇ, "that it should be counted."

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