Range of meanings for οικος

Semantic Range, Lexicography, and other approaches to word meaning - in general, or for particular words.
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jeffreyrequadt
Posts: 57
Joined: May 30th, 2011, 11:20 pm

Range of meanings for οικος

Post by jeffreyrequadt »

On the previous B-Greek mailing list, I once posted a question about the meaning of οικος. Certain church growth movements and personalities have been using this Greek word as a concept in their understanding of evangelism and church growth. Their claim is that οικος means "extended family," which then becomes "close social connections," such as friends and colleagues. The problem is, I'm not aware that the word οικος has ever been used in this sense in the entire history of the Greek language and culture. I have looked in BDAG and Louw/Nida, TDNT, Moulton/Milligan, LSJ, and even the Enhanced Strong's Lexicon (no, I have not yet looked in the Etymological Lexicon). I see the sense of "building," and "family," and "household" (in the sense of family members, slaves, property, etc., who reside in a common geographical location). But not this idea of "social network" or "sphere of influence" that might include friends. I am even less familiar with modern Greek, so perhaps someone could respond to this from a modern Greek perspective.
Without getting into the theology of the movement (actually, I'm quite partial to much of their philosophical bent), I simply don't like it when any culture, language, text, or word is hi-jacked in order to lend credibility to something. If anyone can help me with information regarding uses of the word οικος which might indeed require a "social connections" meaning, please tell me. I have certain Greek texts available, but my proficiency in Greek is not advanced enough to read them fluently and to understand the words in context -(thank you translation-method-New-Testament-only-Greek-classes-and-textbooks-and-software). Additionally, οικος is such a common word I have been very slow going through the texts for which I have even an English translation to help me. A quick search uncovered several thousand occurrences.
Also, if anyone has done or knows of a study of the word οικος which could shed some light on the subject (and isn't just making assertions), or has come across the same problem I have, please send it my way.
Again, I'm not trying to attack or defend anyone's theology. I am simply trying to ascertain whether or a Greek word is being abused or not.
Jeffrey T. Requadt
Tucson, AZ
David Lim
Posts: 901
Joined: June 6th, 2011, 6:55 am

Re: Range of meanings for οικος

Post by David Lim »

jeffreyrequadt wrote:On the previous B-Greek mailing list, I once posted a question about the meaning of οικος. Certain church growth movements and personalities have been using this Greek word as a concept in their understanding of evangelism and church growth. Their claim is that οικος means "extended family," which then becomes "close social connections," such as friends and colleagues. The problem is, I'm not aware that the word οικος has ever been used in this sense in the entire history of the Greek language and culture. I have looked in BDAG and Louw/Nida, TDNT, Moulton/Milligan, LSJ, and even the Enhanced Strong's Lexicon (no, I have not yet looked in the Etymological Lexicon). I see the sense of "building," and "family," and "household" (in the sense of family members, slaves, property, etc., who reside in a common geographical location). But not this idea of "social network" or "sphere of influence" that might include friends. I am even less familiar with modern Greek, so perhaps someone could respond to this from a modern Greek perspective.
Without getting into the theology of the movement (actually, I'm quite partial to much of their philosophical bent), I simply don't like it when any culture, language, text, or word is hi-jacked in order to lend credibility to something. If anyone can help me with information regarding uses of the word οικος which might indeed require a "social connections" meaning, please tell me. I have certain Greek texts available, but my proficiency in Greek is not advanced enough to read them fluently and to understand the words in context -(thank you translation-method-New-Testament-only-Greek-classes-and-textbooks-and-software). Additionally, οικος is such a common word I have been very slow going through the texts for which I have even an English translation to help me. A quick search uncovered several thousand occurrences.
Also, if anyone has done or knows of a study of the word οικος which could shed some light on the subject (and isn't just making assertions), or has come across the same problem I have, please send it my way.
Again, I'm not trying to attack or defend anyone's theology. I am simply trying to ascertain whether or a Greek word is being abused or not.
Actually there are only about a hundred occurrences of the word in the new testament. The word itself has the basic meaning of "house" either literally or figuratively, but the actual meaning is still very much dependent on what it refers to in the context. For example, consider the following:
[1 Tim 3:5] "ει δε τις του ιδιου οικου προστηναι ουκ οιδεν πως εκκλησιας θεου επιμελησεται"
"but if anyone does not know [how] to govern [his] own house, how will he take care of [the] assembly of God?"
[1 Tim 3:15] "εαν δε βραδυνω ινα ειδης πως δει εν οικω θεου αναστρεφεσθαι ητις εστιν εκκλησια θεου ζωντος στυλος και εδραιωμα της αληθειας"
"but, if I delay, so that you may know how [you] ought to go about in [the] house of God, that which is [the] assembly of [the] living God, [a] pillar and support of the truth."
[1 Pet 2:5] "και αυτοι ως λιθοι ζωντες οικοδομεισθε οικος πνευματικος ιερατευμα αγιον ανενεγκαι πνευματικας θυσιας ευπροσδεκτους τω θεω δια ιησου χριστου"
"and [you] yourselves, as living stones, are built [into] [a] spiritual house, [a] holy priesthood, to bring spiritual offerings acceptable to God through Jesus Christ."
In 1 Tim 3:5 there is clearly a distinction between "[his] own house" and "[the] assembly of God", but just a few sentences away "[the] house of God" and "[the] assembly of God" are clearly equated. Thus we see that the same word for "house" was used to refer to different things, and the context makes it clear what they are.
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jeffreyrequadt
Posts: 57
Joined: May 30th, 2011, 11:20 pm

Re: Range of meanings for οικος

Post by jeffreyrequadt »

Hi David,

I'm actually trying to look at any usage of οικος possible, not just in the NT. I basically have Perseus, which is now much more conveniently available through Logos. Even within just the NT, I don't see any examples of οικος that really make more sense as "social group" rather than "family" or "household." Please let me know if you do find some references that would make more sense with such a denotation (or is connotation? I can never remember the difference).

Jeff
Jeffrey T. Requadt
Tucson, AZ
David Lim
Posts: 901
Joined: June 6th, 2011, 6:55 am

Re: Range of meanings for οικος

Post by David Lim »

jeffreyrequadt wrote:Hi David,

I'm actually trying to look at any usage of οικος possible, not just in the NT. I basically have Perseus, which is now much more conveniently available through Logos. Even within just the NT, I don't see any examples of οικος that really make more sense as "social group" rather than "family" or "household." Please let me know if you do find some references that would make more sense with such a denotation (or is connotation? I can never remember the difference).

Jeff
I think it should be "connotation" haha. I have not seen any such references that you are looking for, but perhaps others have? I do not think it is that important anyway, as the common meaning is usually the first to come to mind when reading it unless a known phrasing with specialised meaning (such as idioms) is used.
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