◄ 1479. ethelothréskia ►
Strong's Lexicon ethelothréskia: Self-imposed religion, will-worship Original Word: ἐθελοθρησκεία Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: ethelothréskia Pronunciation: eh-the-lo-thray-skee'-ah Phonetic Spelling: (eth-el-oth-race-ki'-ah) Definition: arbitrary worship, self-imposed worship. Meaning: Voluntary or self-imposed worship; a form of religious practice that is based on personal choice or human invention rather than divine command. Word Origin: Derived from two Greek words: ἐθέλω (ethelō), meaning "to will" or "to wish," and θρησκεία (thrēskeia), meaning "religion" or "worship." Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: There is no direct Hebrew equivalent for ἐθελοθρησκεία in the Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, as the concept is more specifically addressed in the context of the New Testament Greek. However, related themes of false worship and human traditions can be found in various Old Testament passages that warn against idolatry and the elevation of human customs over divine commandments. Usage: The term ἐθελοθρησκεία appears in the New Testament in Colossians 2:23, where it is used to describe practices that have the appearance of wisdom and religious devotion but are ultimately based on human precepts and teachings. Context: The concept of ἐθελοθρησκεία is addressed in the context of the Apostle Paul's letter to the Colossians. In Colossians 2:23, Paul warns the believers against being swayed by practices that seem pious and devout but are rooted in human tradition rather than God's commandments. The verse reads: "Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility, and their harsh treatment of the body; but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence" (BSB). Paul is cautioning the Colossian church against adopting religious practices that are not grounded in the gospel of Christ. These practices, though they may appear to be wise and humble, are ultimately ineffective in promoting true spiritual growth and holiness. Instead, they can lead to a form of legalism that detracts from the sufficiency of Christ's work on the cross. The term ἐθελοθρησκεία highlights the danger of substituting genuine faith and obedience with rituals and observances that are self-imposed. It serves as a reminder to believers to discern between true worship that is pleasing to God and practices that are merely human inventions. HELPS Word-studies 1479 ethelothrēskeía (from 2309 /thélō, "desire" and 2356 /thrēskeía, "religion") – properly, self-willed religion, defined by the desires of the human will – which amounts to nothing! This form of "worship," which is accomplished "by self" (Souter), is merely a "will-worship," exalting the worshiper at God's expense (used only in Col 2:23). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origin from an older form of theló and thréskeia Definition self-willed (arbitrary and unwarranted) piety NASB Translation self-made religion (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 1479: ἐθελοθρησκεία ἐθελοθρησκεία (T WH ἐθελοθρησκία, see Iota), ἐθελοθρησκειας, ἡ (from ἐθέλω and θρησκεία, which see (cf. Winers Grammar, 100 (95))), voluntary, arbitrary worship, (Vulg.superstitio) (A. V. will-worship), i. e. worship which one devises and prescribes for himself, contrary to the contents and nature of the faith which ought to be directed to Christ; said of the misdirected zeal and practices of ascetics: Colossians 2:23; Suidas ἐθελοθρησκει. ἰδίῳ θελήματι σεβει τό δοκοῦν. Cf. ἐθελόδουλος, ἐθελοδουλεία, ἐθελοπρόξενος, one who acts the part of aproxenus without having been appointed to the office, etc. The explanation of others: simulated, counterfeit religion (cf. in Greek lexicons, ἐθελοφιλοσοφος, ἐθελοκωφος, etc.), does not square so well with the context. (The word is found besides in Mansi, Collect. Concil. vol. iv., p. 1380, and in Theodoret, vol. iv., epistle clxi., p. (1460 b., Migne edition) 1831, Halle edition; (Eusebius, h. e. 6, 12, 1; Jerome, epistle 121, vol. 1,1031, Migne edition). Epiphanius haer. 1, 16 (i., p. 318, 3rd edition, Dindorf) attributes ἐθελοπερισσοθρησκεια to the Pharisees.) Strong's Exhaustive Concordance voluntary worship. From ethelo and threskeia; voluntary (arbitrary and unwarranted) piety, i.e. Sanctimony -- will worship. see GREEK ethelo see GREEK threskeia Forms and Transliterations εθελοθρησκεία εθελοθρησκια ἐθελοθρησκίᾳ εθισμόν ethelothreskia ethelothrēskia ethelothreskíāi ethelothrēskíāi Links Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts Englishman's Concordance Colossians 2:23 N-DFS GRK: σοφίας ἐν ἐθελοθρησκίᾳ καὶ ταπεινοφροσύνῃ NAS: of wisdom in self-made religion and self-abasement KJV: in will worship, and INT: of wisdom in voluntary worship and humility Strong's Greek 1479 1 Occurrence ἐθελοθρησκίᾳ — 1 Occ.