θυσία (thusia)
thusia
sacrifice
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 29 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun thusia refers to a sacrifice, encompassing both the act of offering and the victim itself. In the New Testament, it appears most frequently in Hebrews, where it carries significant theological weight regarding Christ’s atoning work. Jesus cites this term when quoting Hosea to emphasize that God desires mercy over ritual slaughter (Matthew 9:13; 12:7).
Its root verb means to burn or slaughter, originally describing a burnt-offering. The writers extend this concrete image into metaphorical territory. Paul describes his own life poured out as a "libation" alongside the Philippians' faith (Philippians 2:17), while urging believers to present their bodies as living sacrifices (Romans 12:1). Hebrews contrasts these spiritual offerings with the repeated animal sacrifices of the old covenant, highlighting the finality of Christ’s single offering (Hebrews 10:5, 26).
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word thusia points to something given up completely for a higher purpose. In the New Testament, this concept moves from animal offerings in the temple to the person and work of Jesus Christ. He is described as the ultimate sacrifice, offering Himself once to deal with sin permanently. This shifts the focus from ritual performance to personal devotion and love.
For believers today, this means our lives are called to be living sacrifices. We offer our bodies and actions to God as an act of worship. It is not about earning favor but responding to mercy. When we serve others or endure hardship for the faith, it becomes a spiritual offering that pleases God.
This perspective invites us to see daily life as an opportunity for worship. Instead of focusing on external rules, we focus on the heart posture of love and gratitude. Christ’s sacrifice makes this possible, allowing us to approach God with confidence and peace.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 29 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- sacrifices12×
- sacrifice5×
- a sacrifice5×
- sacrifices.1×
- sacrifices,1×
- sacrifice;’1×
- sacrifice,’1×
- a sacrifice,1×
- [the] sacrifice1×
- Sacrifice1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- θυσίαν9×
- θυσίας8×
- θυσίαις3×
- θυσίᾳ1×
- θυσίας,1×
- θυσίαν·1×
- θυσίαν,1×
- θυσίαι1×
- θυσία,1×
- θυσία1×
- θυσιῶν.1×
- θυσιῶν1×
Key Verses
-
Hebrews 10:12
but he, when he had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down on the right hand of God,
This verse highlights the finality of Christ's work by stating He sat down after offering one sacrifice forever, unlike priests who stand repeatedly.
-
Romans 12:1
Therefore I urge you, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service.
Paul uses this term to urge believers to present their own bodies as a living sacrifice, defining true spiritual worship.
-
Matthew 9:13
But you go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,’ for I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”
Jesus quotes Hosea to show that God values mercy and relationship over mere ritual slaughter.
-
Ephesians 5:2
Walk in love, even as Christ also loved us and gave himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling fragrance.
This passage describes Christ’s self-giving love as a sweet-smelling fragrance, an acceptable sacrifice to God.