οἰκέω (oikeō)

oikeō

to dwell

G3611 · Greek · New Testament · 9 verses

Language: Koine Greek
Testament: New Testament
Occurrences: 9 verses
Root: —

Word Overview

The verb oikeō simply means to dwell or inhabit a place. It comes from oikos, the word for "house," and describes the act of making a home somewhere. In the New Testament, it appears nine times, primarily in Paul’s letters like Romans and Corinthians, as well as in 1 Timothy.

Its usage shifts between physical and spiritual realms. Literally, it can describe living in a specific location or entering into married life, as seen when Paul advises couples to dwell together (1 Corinthians 7:12-13). Theologically, it takes on deeper weight when describing internal habitation. Paul notes that sin dwells within human nature (Romans 7:18, 20), while the Spirit of God resides in believers (Romans 8:9; 1 Corinthians 3:16).

This contrast highlights the word’s power to describe what occupies a person’s inner life. Whether referring to the physical body as a temple or the struggle against sin, oikeō points to the reality of presence. It reminds readers that dwelling is not just about location, but about who or what holds residence within them.

Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).

What This Word Means for Your Faith

The word oikeō reminds us that we are never truly empty spaces. It describes the act of making a home, whether in a physical house or within the depths of our own hearts. When Paul writes about sin dwelling in him, he highlights a struggle many feel—the sense that unwanted habits have taken up residence where they do not belong. This honest admission shows that acknowledging what lives inside us is the first step toward change.

Yet there is a profound comfort in knowing who else might live within you. The same word describes the Holy Spirit taking up residence in believers, turning our bodies into temples. This shifts the focus from mere location to relationship. You are not just a place where things happen; you are a home for God’s presence. This truth invites us to consider what we allow to settle in our minds and hearts daily.

Whether facing the weight of past failures or the joy of divine companionship, this word grounds us in reality. It asks a simple but vital question: who is living here? The answer determines the peace you carry into each day. Let this awareness bring you hope, knowing that the One who dwells within is greater than any force trying to take over.

How it's translated

How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 9 verses where it appears, by frequency.

dwells4×
to dwell2×
is dwelling2×
dwelling1×

Forms in the text

The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.

οἰκεῖ4×
οἰκοῦσα2×
οἰκεῖν2×
οἰκῶν1×

Key Verses

Romans 8:9
But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if it is so that the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if any man doesn’t have the Spirit of Christ, he is not his.

This verse establishes the believer's identity by contrasting the flesh with the Spirit, using oikeō to confirm that God's presence is the defining mark of belonging to Christ.
Romans 7:20
But if what I don’t desire, that I do, it is no more I that do it, but sin which dwells in me.

Paul uses this term to describe the persistent presence of sin in human nature, illustrating the internal conflict between desire and action without excusing personal responsibility.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does oikeō mean in the New Testament?

Oikeō simply means to dwell, inhabit, or live in a place. It comes from the root word for house (oikos) and is used both literally for physical residence and metaphorically for spiritual presence, such as sin or the Spirit dwelling within a person.

How is oikeō different from katoikeō?

While both mean to dwell, katoikeō includes the prefix kata-, implying a more settled or permanent residence. Oikeō is the simpler form, focusing on the general act of inhabiting or living somewhere, whether temporarily or as part of one's nature.

Why does Paul say sin dwells in him?

In Romans 7, Paul uses oikeō to describe sin as a power that has taken up residence within human nature. This phrasing highlights the internal struggle and the persistent presence of sinful tendencies, even for those who desire to do good.

Does this word apply to married couples?

Yes, in 1 Corinthians 7, Paul uses oikeō to advise believers to live with or dwell alongside their spouses. It refers to the physical act of cohabitation and maintaining marital union, even in mixed-faith marriages.

Every Occurrence (9 verses across 3 books)

Romans 5 verses

Romans 7:17

So now it is no more I that do it, but sin which dwells in me.

Romans 7:18

For I know that in me, that is, in my flesh, dwells no good thing. For desire is present with me, but I don’t find it…

Romans 7:20

But if what I don’t desire, that I do, it is no more I that do it, but sin which dwells in me.

Romans 8:9

But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if it is so that the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if any man…

Romans 8:11

But if the Spirit of him who raised up Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised up Christ Jesus from the dead…

I Corinthians 3 verses

I Timothy 1 verse