οἶκος (oikos)
oikos
house: home
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 105 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The Greek word oikos refers to a house or dwelling place, but its meaning extends far beyond mere brick and mortar. In Scripture it denotes the physical structure where people live, as when Jesus heals the paralytic in his own home (Mark 2:1-12). It also describes the household unit itself, including family members and servants, which is how Luke records the early believers gathering “from house to house” for fellowship and teaching (Acts 2:46).
Lexical sources highlight a significant metaphorical shift in the New Testament. Oikos frequently stands for the people within that structure rather than the building itself. This usage appears when Jesus speaks of his disciples as the household of God or when Paul describes the church as “the household of God” (1 Timothy 3:15). The term thus bridges the gap between a physical shelter and a spiritual community, emphasizing belonging over architecture.
This dual sense allows oikos to carry theological weight regarding identity. When applied to Israel or David’s lineage, it signifies descendants and covenantal heritage (Luke 1:27). By applying the same word to the church, the New Testament authors frame believers as a family bound by faith rather than bloodline, turning a common noun for residence into a profound statement about spiritual kinship.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Greek word oikos begins as a simple term for a physical dwelling, yet Scripture uses it to describe something far deeper than walls and roofs. When Jesus told the paralytic to go home, He was restoring not just a man’s mobility but his place within his family and community. This word reminds us that our homes are spaces where healing, teaching, and fellowship take root.
Later, the New Testament expands this idea to include all who belong to God. Believers are described as members of God’s household, bound together by faith rather than bloodline. This shifts the focus from architecture to identity. You are part of a family that spans generations and cultures, united under Christ.
This dual meaning invites us to see our daily lives as sacred ground. Whether you are in your own home or gathering with other believers, you are participating in God’s plan for community. It is a gentle reminder that belonging is not about perfection but about being part of something larger than yourself.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 105 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- house63×
- home10×
- a house8×
- household7×
- [the] house6×
- house.3×
- of [the] house2×
- houses2×
- household;2×
- households.1×
- households1×
- house to house,1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- οἶκον43×
- οἴκῳ19×
- οἶκόν11×
- οἶκος11×
- οἴκου11×
- οἶκός6×
- οἴκους3×
- οἶκος.1×
- οἶκον·1×
- οἶκον.¶1×
- οἶκον.1×
- οἴκῳ·1×
Key Verses
-
Matthew 9:7
He arose and departed to his house.
This verse shows the word used for the physical home where the healed man returns, highlighting the restoration of his social and familial standing.
-
Luke 1:27
to a virgin pledged to be married to a man whose name was Joseph, of David’s house. The virgin’s name was Mary.
Here oikos refers to David’s lineage, emphasizing covenantal heritage and royal descent rather than a building.
-
Matthew 21:13
He said to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer,’ but you have made it a den of robbers!”
Jesus quotes Scripture calling the Temple His house, linking the physical sanctuary to God’s intended purpose for prayer.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does oikos mean in the New Testament?
How is oikos different from domos?
Where does oikos appear in the Bible?
Every Occurrence (105 verses across 14 books)
Matthew 9 verses
But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins—” (then he said to the paralytic),…
Matthew 9:7He arose and departed to his house.
Matthew 10:6Rather, go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
Matthew 11:8But what did you go out to see? A man in soft clothing? Behold, those who wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses.
Matthew 12:4how he entered into God’s house and ate the show bread, which was not lawful for him to eat, nor for those who were…
Matthew 12:44Then he says, ‘I will return into my house from which I came;’ and when he has come back, he finds it empty, swept, and…
Matthew 15:24But he answered, “I wasn’t sent to anyone but the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”
Matthew 21:13He said to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer,’ but you have made it a den of robbers!”
Matthew 23:38Behold, your house is left to you desolate.