Dictionary of Bible Themes: 8770 idolatry, in NT

8770 idolatry, in NT

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Dictionary of Bible Themes » 8000 The life of the believer » 8700 Threats to the life of faith » 8768 idolatry » 8770 idolatry, in NT

The NT world included many religions which promoted the worship of idols. Idolatry was thus of continuing importance to NT writers, especially Paul.

Idolatry in the Gentile world

Criticism of idolatry

Idolatry leads to other sinful behaviour

Romans 1:24 Verses 22 and 24-25 show the link between idolatry and immoral conduct.

Idolatry is an offence against the doctrine of creation

Romans 1:20 See also Acts 17:24-29

Idols are futile and degrading

Romans 1:22-23 See also 1 Corinthians 8:4; Corinthians 10:19; Corinthians 12:2

Idolatrous worship of human beings

Acts 12:22 See also Luke 20:24-25 Jesus Christ opposes the hypocrisy which objected to Roman coinage as idolatrous on the grounds that the emperor's head infringed the Ten Commandments; Acts 28:6

Demonic powers are involved with idolatry

1 Corinthians 10:20 See also Revelation 9:20; Revelation 13:4

Food sacrificed to idols

Encounters with idolatrous practice

Spiritual idolatry

1 John 5:21 “idols” here may well refer to a wide range of God-substitutes.

The temptations of Jesus Christ present three main kinds of spiritual idolatry

Possessions

Matthew 4:3 pp Luke 4:3 See also Matthew 6:24 pp Luke 16:13; Luke 18:23; Philippians 3:19; Colossians 3:5; 1 Timothy 6:10

Prestige and self-esteem

Matthew 4:6 pp Luke 4:9 See also Luke 3:8; Luke 10:29; Luke 18:11-12,21; Romans 2:19

Power

Matthew 4:8-9 pp Luke 4:6-7 See also Luke 9:54-55; Luke 23:39; John 18:10-11; John 19:10; Philippians 2:6; James 4:6,10