θύω (thuō)
thuō
to sacrifice
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 13 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb thuo means to sacrifice, carrying the specific sense of slaughtering an animal for a religious offering. In the New Testament, it appears thirteen times, often linking the physical act of killing with its spiritual purpose. For instance, in Acts 14:18, Paul and Barnabas stop people from sacrificing to them as gods, while 1 Corinthians 10:20 describes sacrifices offered to demons.
Its meaning extends beyond ritual to include simple slaughter, particularly regarding food preparation or the Passover lamb. Luke 15:23 mentions killing the fattened calf for a celebration, and Mark 14:12 refers to preparing the Passover by slaughtering the lamb. This dual usage highlights how the word bridges everyday violence with sacred ritual.
Translators typically render thuo as "sacrifice" when the context is religious, but "kill" or "slay" in narrative contexts involving food or historical events like the Passover. This distinction preserves the original tension between the act of killing and the intent of worship, showing that the same physical action serves different purposes depending on who receives it.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word for 'sacrifice' in this entry carries a weighty physical reality: it describes the actual killing of an animal. In the ancient world, worship was not merely a mental exercise but involved tangible acts. When the New Testament uses this term, it reminds us that true devotion often requires giving up something valuable. Whether it is the Passover lamb prepared for a meal or the offerings brought to idols, the act signifies a transfer of life and intent.
For your faith, this highlights the seriousness of what we offer to God. It is not enough to go through the motions; the heart behind the action matters deeply. Paul warns against sacrificing to demons, urging believers to keep their worship pure and directed toward the Lord alone. This call to sincerity invites us to examine our own lives, ensuring that our time, resources, and loyalty are given freely and without hidden agendas.
Ultimately, this word points to a greater truth found in 1 Corinthians 5:7, where Christ is described as the Passover sacrifice. Because He was offered once for all, we are freed from the need to make repeated offerings for sin. This gives us confidence to approach God with clean hands and a heart that trusts in His finished work rather than our own efforts.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 13 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- do kill2×
- you have killed1×
- to sacrifice.1×
- to be sacrificed1×
- they were to sacrifice,1×
- they sacrifice;1×
- they sacrifice1×
- shall kill1×
- sacrificing1×
- killed,1×
- has killed1×
- has been sacrificed1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- θῦσον2×
- ἔθυσεν1×
- ἔθυσας1×
- ἔθυον,1×
- ἐτύθη1×
- τεθυμένα,1×
- θύσῃ1×
- θύσατε,1×
- θύουσιν·1×
- θύουσιν1×
- θύεσθαι1×
- θύειν.¶1×
Key Verses
-
Acts 14:18
Even saying these things, they hardly stopped the multitudes from making a sacrifice to them.
This verse shows the word used for pagan worship, highlighting Paul's urgent desire to redirect people's devotion away from false gods and toward the living God.
-
I Corinthians 10:20
But I say that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to demons and not to God, and I don’t desire that you would have fellowship with demons.
Here the term exposes the spiritual danger behind idolatry, clarifying that such sacrifices are not neutral but connect participants with demonic forces.
-
I Corinthians 5:7
Purge out the old yeast, that you may be a new lump, even as you are unleavened. For indeed Christ, our Passover, has been sacrificed in our place.
This occurrence applies the concept to Christ Himself, identifying Him as the ultimate Passover sacrifice whose death provides cleansing for believers.