οἰκιακός (oikiakos)
oikiakos
member of a house
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The adjective oikiakos describes anyone belonging to a household, encompassing both family members and servants under the master’s authority. Derived from oikos, meaning "house," it denotes those who are one’s own in the domestic sphere rather than outsiders. In Matthew 10:36, Jesus uses this term to illustrate how allegiance to Him can create deep divisions even within these close domestic units.
This word highlights the broad scope of household membership, where status varies but belonging remains central. It stands in contrast to the oikodespotēs, or master of the house, emphasizing the relational hierarchy within that space. By including both children and slaves, the term reflects the ancient reality that a home was an extended community bound by duty and kinship.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word oikiakos reminds us that our closest relationships often carry the deepest weight. In the ancient world, a household was not just a family but an extended community of kin and servants bound by duty. When Jesus spoke of His followers facing opposition from their own households, He acknowledged that loyalty to Him could disrupt even these intimate bonds.
This reality invites compassion for those whose faith has strained their family ties. It is a heavy burden to feel isolated because of your beliefs. Yet, this word also highlights the profound value of community. Just as an ancient household provided structure and belonging, the church offers a spiritual home where believers support one another through life's hardest seasons.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- household1×
- house members1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- οἰκιακοὺς1×
- οἰκιακοὶ1×
Key Verses
-
Matthew 10:36
A man’s foes will be those of his own household.
This verse uses the term to illustrate how allegiance to Jesus can create deep divisions even within close domestic units, highlighting the cost of discipleship.
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Matthew 10:25
It is enough for the disciple that he be like his teacher, and the servant like his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more those of his household!
Here the word connects the fate of the master with his household members, showing that followers share in the same reception or rejection as their leader.