ὁμολογία (homologia)
homologia
confession
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 6 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun homologia refers to a public declaration or profession of faith. It comes from roots meaning "to say the same thing," suggesting an alignment between what is believed internally and what is stated outwardly. In the New Testament, it appears only six times, primarily in Hebrews, with single mentions in First Timothy and Second Corinthians.
Its usage carries a weight of objective truth rather than mere subjective feeling. For instance, Hebrews 4:14 speaks of holding fast to the confession, emphasizing the content of belief as a stable foundation. Similarly, First Timothy 6:12 calls believers to fight for the good confession, framing it as a commitment to a specific set of truths about Christ.
Translators often render this word as "confession," but the term implies more than just admitting guilt or stating a fact. It denotes a formal acknowledgment of allegiance. The sources note its connection to agreements or compacts, highlighting that such a declaration binds the speaker to the reality they profess.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word homologia carries a simple but powerful idea: saying the same thing that God has said. It is not merely an admission of guilt, but a public alignment of your life with the truth of Christ. When you confess your faith, you are declaring that what you believe internally matches what you profess outwardly. This creates a stable foundation for your daily walk, grounding your identity in something unshakable.
Scripture encourages believers to hold tightly to this confession, even when circumstances shift or pressures mount. Hebrews reminds us to consider Jesus, the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, as we navigate our own journeys. By focusing on His faithfulness rather than our own perfection, we find the strength to maintain our witness. This alignment brings peace, knowing that our words reflect the reliable character of God.
In moments of doubt or fear, remember that your confession is a testament to God’s promise, not your own strength. He who promised is faithful, and He sustains those who trust in Him. Let this truth anchor your heart, offering hope and stability as you live out your faith in the world around you.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 6 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- confession4×
- to [our] confession.1×
- of confession1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ὁμολογίαν3×
- ὁμολογίας2×
- ὁμολογίας.1×
Key Verses
-
Hebrews 4:14
Having then a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let’s hold tightly to our confession.
This verse commands believers to hold tightly to their confession, emphasizing its role as a stable foundation during trials.
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I Timothy 6:12
Fight the good fight of faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you confessed the good confession in the sight of many witnesses.
Here, the call to fight for the faith is linked directly to the 'good confession' made before witnesses, highlighting its public and committed nature.
-
Hebrews 10:23
let’s hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering; for he who promised is faithful.
The instruction to hold fast without wavering connects the confession of hope directly to God’s faithfulness in keeping His promises.
-
Hebrews 3:1
Therefore, holy brothers, partakers of a heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession: Jesus,
Jesus is identified as the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, showing that He is both the model and the center of what we profess.