σκύβαλον (skubalon)
skubalon
garbage
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun skubalon refers to garbage or refuse, specifically evoking the image of animal excrement or the worthless dregs swept away from a dwelling. In the New Testament, it appears only once, in Philippians 3:8, where Paul uses this stark vocabulary to describe what he considers his former spiritual assets.
Paul’s choice of word is deliberately jarring. He does not merely say these things are less valuable; he calls them waste matter. By equating his religious pedigree and righteousness with dung, he emphasizes a complete reversal in how he values the knowledge of Christ. The term carries no positive nuance, serving only to highlight the supreme worth of knowing Jesus by contrast.
This single usage underscores the radical nature of Paul’s conversion. He is not downplaying his past achievements but actively rejecting them as spiritually dead weight. The word forces readers to confront the idea that what the world prizes as honor can be viewed as trash in light of the gospel.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Greek word skubalon means garbage or refuse, specifically evoking animal excrement. It is a stark term with no positive nuance, used only once in the New Testament. Paul employs it in Philippians 3:8 to describe his former spiritual assets. He does not merely say these things are less valuable; he calls them waste matter. This deliberate choice highlights a complete reversal in how he values the knowledge of Christ.
For your faith, this word offers a powerful perspective on what truly matters. It reminds us that religious pedigree or personal achievements can become dead weight if they distract from Jesus. By equating his past honors with dung, Paul emphasizes the supreme worth of knowing Him. This radical rejection helps readers see that worldly prizes are often trash in light of the gospel.
When you feel weighed down by past successes or failures, remember this image. It invites you to release what holds you back and gain Christ instead. The term forces a confrontation with our values, showing that true gain comes from letting go of everything else. May this understanding bring freedom and joy as you focus on your relationship with Jesus.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- rubbish1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- σκύβαλα1×
Key Verses
-
Philippians 3:8
Yes most certainly, and I count all things to be a loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus, my Lord, for whom I suffered the loss of all things, and count them nothing but refuse, that I may gain Christ
Paul uses this stark vocabulary to describe his former spiritual assets, emphasizing a complete reversal in how he values the knowledge of Christ by calling them refuse.