ὁμιλία

intercourse, companionship, conversation

Definition

The Greek word ὁμιλία primarily means 'association,' 'companionship,' or 'intercourse' in the sense of close social interaction and communication. It encompasses the idea of spending time with others, engaging in conversation, and the resulting influence of such relationships. In its single New Testament occurrence, 1 Corinthians 15:33, it carries a strong ethical warning about the corrupting influence of bad company. While not used elsewhere in the NT, in broader Greek literature it could also refer to a public address or speech, but this sense is not present in the biblical text.

Biblical Usage

This word is used only once in the New Testament, in 1 Corinthians 15:33: 'Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.”' Here, ὁμιλία is translated as 'company' or 'companionship,' and it is used in a proverbial warning from Greek literature (Menander) that Paul quotes. The context is Paul's argument for the reality of the resurrection, where he warns that associating with those who deny this doctrine can have a morally corrosive effect. The usage is entirely focused on the practical and ethical consequences of one's close associations.

Etymology

Derived from the verb ὁμιλέω (homileō, G3656), meaning 'to be in company with,' 'to converse with,' or 'to associate with.' The root relates to being together in a crowd or assembly (ὅμιλος, homilos). The noun ὁμιλία thus fundamentally denotes the state or act of being in close association and communication with others.

Semantic Range

Though used only once, ὁμιλία is theologically significant for its role in a key ethical warning. It underscores the biblical principle that close relationships and community have profound spiritual and moral consequences. Paul's use of this word enriches the reading of 1 Corinthians 15 by highlighting that doctrine is not abstract; it is lived out in community, and the company one keeps directly impacts one's faith and character. It connects to broader teachings on discipleship, sanctification, and the call to be separate from corrupting influences (2 Corinthians 6:14-17).

In the Greco-Roman world, philosophical schools and social networks placed high value on association and companionship for forming character and spreading ideas. Paul's quotation from the Greek playwright Menander would have been recognizable to his Corinthian audience, grounding his theological argument in a shared cultural maxim about the power of influence. The word implies a habitual, close association, not casual contact.

κοινωνία (koinōnia, G2842) — emphasizes fellowship, partnership, and sharing, often with a spiritual dimension. συνήθεια (synētheia, G4914) — denotes custom or habit formed by familiarity, closer to 'habitual intercourse.' ὁμιλέω (homileō, G3656) — the verb form, meaning to associate or converse with.

Word Details

Scripture References