εἰδωλόθυτος (eidōlothutos)
eidōlothutos
sacrificed to idols
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 9 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The adjective eidōlothutos describes food that has been sacrificed to idols. It is a compound word combining the terms for "image" or "idol" and "sacrificed," creating a specific label for meat from pagan rituals. This term appears nine times in the New Testament, primarily within Paul’s letters to Corinth and in the book of Revelation.
The issue was not merely theological but practical. In the ancient world, temple sacrifices often resulted in meat being sold in public markets or served at communal feasts. Believers had to navigate whether eating such food compromised their faith. Paul addresses this tension directly in 1 Corinthians 8 and 10, discussing how knowledge of idols’ powerlessness should guide Christian freedom and love for others.
Revelation uses the term more sharply, condemning those who tolerate the practices associated with idolatry. The word captures a real social dilemma: how to live faithfully in a culture saturated with religious symbols. It reminds readers that spiritual integrity involves both correct belief and careful conduct in everyday life.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word eidōlothutos describes food that has been offered in pagan worship. In the first century, this was not just a theological debate but a daily reality. Meat from temple sacrifices often ended up in public markets or at social gatherings. For believers, eating such food raised serious questions about loyalty to God and respect for fellow Christians.
Paul addresses this tension in 1 Corinthians 8. He acknowledges that idols have no real power, yet he warns that knowledge alone can harm those whose faith is still growing. The issue was not the meat itself, but how our actions affect others. We are called to balance truth with love, ensuring that our freedom does not become a stumbling block for someone weaker in faith.
This word reminds us that spiritual integrity involves both correct belief and careful conduct. It invites us to consider how our choices impact our community. By prioritizing love over liberty, we reflect the heart of Christ in a complex world.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 9 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- idol-sacrifices4×
- an idol-sacrifice2×
- idol-sacrifices.1×
- idol-sacrifices,1×
- from idol-sacrifices1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- εἰδωλόθυτον2×
- εἰδωλόθυτα2×
- εἰδωλοθύτων2×
- εἰδωλόθυτόν1×
- εἰδωλόθυτα.1×
- εἰδωλοθύτων,1×
Key Verses
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I Corinthians 8:1
Now concerning things sacrificed to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.
Paul introduces the topic by contrasting knowledge that puffs up with love that builds up, setting the tone for the entire discussion on eidōlothutos.
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I Corinthians 8:7
However, that knowledge isn’t in all men. But some, with consciousness of an idol until now, eat as of a thing sacrificed to an idol, and their conscience, being weak, is defiled.
This verse highlights the practical danger: those with weak consciences may still associate the food with idol worship, leading to spiritual harm if others eat it freely.
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Revelation of John 2:14
But I have a few things against you, because you have there some who hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to throw a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality.
Jesus condemns the church in Pergamum for tolerating those who teach eating things sacrificed to idols, linking this practice with spiritual compromise and immorality.