πατρολῴας

a murderer of his father

Definition

πατρολῴας refers specifically to a patricide, someone who murders their own father. In the New Testament, it appears only in 1 Timothy 1:9, where it is listed among various lawless and ungodly behaviors. The term carries the strongest possible condemnation for violating the foundational commandment to honor one's parents (Exodus 20:12). It denotes not just any homicide, but the ultimate betrayal of family and social order.

Biblical Usage

This word is used only once in the New Testament, in 1 Timothy 1:9. Here, the apostle Paul uses it in a list of examples to illustrate the kind of people for whom the law exists—those who are lawbreakers and rebels. It is grouped with other severe sins like murderers, the sexually immoral, slave traders, liars, and perjurers, highlighting its gravity as a capital offense against both divine and human law.

Etymology

Derived from the Greek words πατήρ (patēr, G3962), meaning 'father,' and ἀλοιᾶν (aloian), a poetic form meaning 'to smite' or 'to slay.' Thus, it is a compound word literally meaning 'father-slayer.' It is a specific, technical term for patricide, distinct from the more general word for murderer, φονεύς (phoneus, G5406).

Semantic Range

This word is theologically significant as it represents the absolute inversion of God's created order for the family and society. It violates the fifth commandment (Exodus 20:12) and the natural law written on the human heart (Romans 2:14-15). In 1 Timothy 1:9, its inclusion underscores the purpose of God's law: to convict and expose the deepest forms of human sin and rebellion, thereby demonstrating the universal need for the gospel of grace that follows in the passage (1 Timothy 1:15-16).

In both Greek and Roman culture, patricide was considered one of the most heinous crimes imaginable, a direct assault on the cornerstone of societal structure—the authority of the father (paterfamilias). It was often associated with utter moral depravity and was punishable by death. The biblical use of this term would have resonated strongly with its original audience, conveying an image of ultimate lawlessness and rebellion against God's established authority.

φονεύς (phoneus, G5406) — A general term for a murderer or manslayer, not specific to killing one's father. ἀνδροφόνος (androphonos, G409) — Another general term for a manslayer or murderer of a person.

Word Details

Scripture References