λατρεία (latreia)
latreia
ministry
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 5 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun latreia refers to the act of serving God, often carrying the weight of formal or ritual worship. In the New Testament, it appears in five verses, primarily within Romans, Hebrews, and John. The word roots back to a verb meaning to serve, originally implying hired labor, but in biblical usage it elevates to describe sacred duties performed for the divine.
Its range includes both the general service of God and the specific worship required by the Levitical law. For instance, Romans 9:4 lists it among the privileges of Israel, highlighting their covenantal role in divine service. Similarly, Hebrews 9:1 uses it to describe the regulations for worldly worship, grounding the term in the tangible rituals of the Old Testament sanctuary.
A key distinction lies in its connection to John 16:2, where Jesus warns that those who kill believers will think they are offering sacred service to God. This usage underscores that latreia is not merely internal devotion but an outward expression of reverence, which can be either true worship or misguided zeal depending on the heart behind it.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Greek word latreia points to service that is both formal and deeply reverent. It moves beyond casual help to describe a dedicated offering of oneself to God. In Romans 12:1, Paul calls this a spiritual service, urging believers to present their bodies as living sacrifices. This shifts the focus from ritual locations to the daily posture of our lives.
Understanding latreia helps us see that worship is not limited to Sunday gatherings. It encompasses the entire scope of how we live in response to God's mercy. Whether in the structured duties of the Old Testament or the spiritual realities of the New, it reminds us that serving God is a privilege and a calling.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 5 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- service2×
- sacred services1×
- of worship1×
- [it is] a service1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- λατρείαν2×
- λατρείας,1×
- λατρείας1×
- λατρεία1×
Key Verses
-
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 redefines latreia as a spiritual service involving the whole person, not just external rituals.
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John 16:2
They will put you out of the synagogues. Yes, the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers service to God.
Jesus warns that misguided zeal can mistake harmful actions for sacred service to God.
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Hebrews 9:1
Now indeed even the first covenant had ordinances of divine service and an earthly sanctuary.
The term describes the specific ordinances and regulations established for worship under the first covenant.