πανοικί

with one's whole household or family

Definition

The adverb πανοικί means 'with one's whole household' or 'with the entire family.' It emphasizes a collective, inclusive participation of every member of a household in an event or action. In its sole New Testament occurrence in Acts 16:34, it describes the Philippian jailer rejoicing with his entire family after coming to faith in God. The term underscores the comprehensive nature of the household's involvement, suggesting no one was excluded from the experience.

Biblical Usage

This word is used only once in the New Testament, in Acts 16:34. It appears in the narrative of the Philippian jailer's conversion, where, after he and his household are baptized, he brings Paul and Silas into his home and sets food before them, rejoicing 'with his whole household' (πανοικί) because he had believed in God. The usage highlights a moment of communal joy and shared faith following a household conversion.

Etymology

Derived from the Greek words πᾶς (pas, G3956), meaning 'all' or 'whole,' and οἶκος (oikos, G3624), meaning 'house' or 'household.' It is an adverb formed to convey the sense of 'pertaining to the whole house.' Cognates include the adjective πανοικέσιος, meaning 'belonging to the whole household.' The construction directly emphasizes totality within the domestic unit.

Semantic Range

This word is theologically significant as it illustrates the concept of household salvation and conversion in the early church. The jailer's belief leads to the baptism and rejoicing of his entire household (Acts 16:31-34), showcasing how faith could encompass family units, not just individuals. Understanding this term enriches reading by highlighting the communal nature of early Christian identity and the potential for faith to transform domestic relationships.

In the first-century Greco-Roman world, the household (oikos) was a fundamental social and economic unit, typically including extended family, servants, and sometimes slaves. A decision by the head of the household often carried authority over all its members. The term πανοικί reflects this cultural reality, where the jailer's conversion and joy naturally involved his entire household, indicating their shared social and spiritual fate, which differs from modern individualistic perspectives on faith.

ὁμοθυμαδόν (homothumadon, G3661) — 'with one accord' or 'unanimously,' emphasizing united purpose in a group, not limited to a household. οἶκος (oikos, G3624) — 'house' or 'household,' the noun from which πανοικί is derived, referring to the physical dwelling or family unit itself.

Word Details

Scripture References