φάγος

a glutton

Definition

The Greek noun φάγος (phagos) specifically means 'a glutton' or 'one who eats voraciously.' In the New Testament, it is used exclusively as a term of accusation, describing someone who indulges excessively in food and drink. This meaning is consistent in its two occurrences, where Jesus is slanderously labeled a 'glutton and a drunkard' (Matthew 11:19, Luke 7:34). The term carries a strong moral connotation of lack of self-control and dissolute living, going beyond simply being a hearty eater.

Biblical Usage

This word is used only twice in the New Testament, in parallel passages in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke. In both instances (Matthew 11:19 and Luke 7:34), it is part of a derogatory saying quoted by Jesus: 'Look, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!' The word is employed by critics to dismiss and discredit Jesus' ministry, associating his fellowship with marginalized people with a lifestyle of excess and moral laxity. The usage is purely polemical.

Etymology

Derived from the Greek verb φαγεῖν (phagein), meaning 'to eat.' The noun φάγος is an agent noun, literally meaning 'an eater.' Its root is widely seen in English compounds like 'phagocyte' (a cell that 'eats' bacteria). In its development, the meaning narrowed from a general 'eater' to specifically denote one who eats to excess, a glutton.

Semantic Range

This word is theologically significant as it is part of the false accusations leveled against Jesus, highlighting the rejection he faced. Understanding this Greek term enriches the reading of Matthew 11:19 and Luke 7:34 by revealing the severity of the slander—it accused Jesus of violating the Deuteronomic law concerning a rebellious son (Deuteronomy 21:20). Jesus embraces this label ironically, turning the accusation into a revelation of his mission to seek and save the lost, contrasting the critics' rigid piety with God's gracious invitation.

In the ancient Greco-Roman and Jewish worlds, gluttony was not merely about overeating but was a serious moral failing associated with a lack of self-discipline (enkrateia), a core virtue. It symbolized a life controlled by base desires and was often linked with drunkenness and other vices. Being called a 'glutton' was a major social and religious insult, implying a person was undisciplined, wasteful, and outside the bounds of respectable society.

λαίμαργος (laimargos, G3004) — a more intense term for a greedy, ravenous glutton, often implying debauchery; λίχνος (lichnos) — (not in NT) describes someone dainty or picky, with a connotation of sensual indulgence in food.

Word Details

Scripture References