ὁμοίωσις (homoiōsis)
homoiōsis
likeness
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun homoiōsis denotes a state of likeness or resemblance, derived from the verb meaning "to make like." In the New Testament, it appears only once, in James 3:9, where it describes humans made in the likeness of God. This usage connects directly to the Old Testament concept of being created after God’s image, emphasizing a fundamental similarity in nature or form rather than mere appearance.
While the word shares a root with terms for equality, its specific nuance here highlights the relational and structural parallel between the Creator and humanity. The text uses this concept to underscore the gravity of blessing God, who is the source of that likeness. By recognizing this shared resemblance, the passage argues against cursing those who bear it, linking ethical treatment of others to theological reverence for their origin.
Translators typically render this term as "likeness" or "similitude," avoiding more abstract terms like "equality." The focus remains on the tangible reflection of divine attributes in human beings. This single occurrence serves as a concise reminder that human dignity is rooted in this specific, God-given resemblance, making respect for others an act of honoring their Creator.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word homoiōsis points to a deep structural resemblance between humanity and God. In James 3:9, this term reminds us that every person carries a reflection of their Creator. This is not about superficial traits but a fundamental dignity woven into human nature from the start.
When we speak to others, our words reveal whether we acknowledge this divine likeness. To curse someone is to insult the One who made them. Blessing them, however, honors God Himself. This connection invites us to treat every encounter as an opportunity to reflect reverence for the Source of life.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- [the] likeness1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ὁμοίωσιν1×
Key Verses
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James 3:9
With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men who are made in the image of God.
This verse uses homoiōsis to ground the ethical command against cursing in the theological reality that humans bear God's image.