σέβομαι (sebomai)
sebomai
be devout
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 10 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb sebomai conveys a sense of deep reverence or worship toward God. In the New Testament, it always appears in the middle voice, suggesting an attitude of personal respect and awe directed at the divine. This term captures the posture of someone who honors God with their whole being, reflecting a heart that acknowledges His supreme authority and holiness.
Its usage often highlights those who are already inclined toward faith but may not yet be full members of the covenant community. For instance, Luke describes Lydia as a "worshiper of God" (Acts 16:14), indicating her sincere devotion despite being a Gentile. Similarly, in Acts 17:4 and 17:17, it refers to devout Greeks who respected the Jewish faith, showing how this word bridges the gap between outsiders and the people of God.
Etymologically, sebomai is linked to the idea of holding something in high esteem. While it can mean worship in a general sense, its frequent association with Gentiles in Acts suggests a specific nuance: reverence for the true God without full adherence to Jewish law. This distinction helps readers understand how early Christians viewed those who were spiritually seeking but not yet fully integrated into the church.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word sebomai describes a heart posture of deep reverence and awe toward God. It is not merely about following external rules, but about holding the divine in high esteem with genuine respect. This term often appears in Acts to describe Gentiles who were drawn to the true God, showing that sincere devotion can exist even before one fully understands all the details of faith.
For your spiritual life, this word offers comfort and encouragement. It reminds us that God values the sincerity of our hearts more than perfect ritual knowledge. Like Lydia in Acts 16:14, who was described as a worshiper of God, you can approach Him with an open heart, trusting that He opens minds to understand His truth. This reverence is the foundation of a lasting relationship with Him.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 10 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- worshipping3×
- worshiping3×
- they worship2×
- worship.1×
- to worship1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- σέβονταί2×
- σεβομένων2×
- σέβεται.¶1×
- σέβεσθαι1×
- σεβομένου1×
- σεβομένοις1×
- σεβομένη1×
- σεβομένας1×
Key Verses
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Acts 16:14
A certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, one who worshiped God, heard us. The Lord opened her heart to listen to the things which were spoken by Paul.
This verse highlights Lydia as a 'worshiper of God,' showing how sincere reverence for the divine prepares the heart to receive the Gospel message.
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Acts 17:4
Some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas: of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and not a few of the chief women.
Here, the term identifies devout Greeks who joined Paul and Silas, illustrating how deep respect for God bridges cultural gaps in early Christian communities.
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Acts 13:43
Now when the synagogue broke up, many of the Jews and of the devout proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas; who, speaking to them, urged them to continue in the grace of God.
The mention of 'devout proselytes' alongside Jews demonstrates that this reverence was a recognized spiritual state among those seeking God outside the immediate covenant community.