εἰδωλόθυτος

sacrificed to an image

Definition

The adjective εἰδωλόθυτος describes meat or food that has been sacrificed to an idol or image. In the New Testament, it specifically refers to the meat from animals offered in pagan temple rituals, which was often later sold in public markets or served at social meals (1 Corinthians 8:1, 10:28). The term is central to the debate in the early church about whether Christians could eat such food without compromising their faith. The Jerusalem Council ultimately advised Gentile believers to abstain from it to avoid idolatry and promote unity (Acts 15:29, 21:25), while Paul's letters explore the balance between Christian liberty and love for a weaker conscience (1 Corinthians 8:7-10, 10:19).

Biblical Usage

This word is used exclusively in contexts addressing the practical issue of food offered to idols. It appears in the book of Acts, recording the apostolic decree (Acts 15:29, 21:25), and extensively in 1 Corinthians (1 Corinthians 8:1, 4, 7, 10; 10:19, 28), where Paul provides pastoral instruction. The usage pattern shows it was a live ethical issue for the multi-ethnic early church, particularly in Gentile cities with pervasive pagan temple culture.

Etymology

Derived from the combination of two Greek words: εἰδωλον (eidōlon, G1497), meaning 'image' or 'idol,' and θύω (thyō, G2380), meaning 'to sacrifice' or 'to kill.' It is a compound adjective literally meaning 'idol-sacrificed.' The formation directly indicates the act of offering something to a pagan deity.

Semantic Range

This word is theologically significant as it touches on core doctrines of Christian liberty, conscience, and separation from idolatry. Understanding it enriches reading by clarifying the historical tension between freedom in Christ and the responsibility to avoid causing others to stumble (1 Corinthians 8:9-13). It also illuminates the early church's struggle to define its identity distinct from both Judaism and paganism, emphasizing that true worship is offered to God alone.

In the 1st-century Greco-Roman world, sacrificing animals to gods was a common public and private religious practice. The meat from these sacrifices was often eaten at temple feasts or sold cheaply in the marketplace, making it a regular part of the diet. For new converts from paganism, eating such meat could feel like participating in idol worship, while for others it was merely economical food. The modern equivalent might be a practice with deep cultural or religious associations that some believers find spiritually compromising.

εἰδωλεῖον (eidōleion, G1493) — refers to the idol's temple or shrine itself, the place where the sacrifice occurs, rather than the sacrificed item.

Word Details

Scripture References