Sacrilege
The Meaning of Sacrilege
Sacrilege broadly refers to the violation, theft, or desecration of something considered sacred. In the biblical context, the term encompasses both the physical robbery of temples and the broader concept of profaning what belongs to God. The English word comes from the Latin sacrilegium ("temple robbery"), and this original sense of stealing from sacred spaces is precisely what the biblical Greek terms convey.
Sacrilege in Romans 2:22
The most significant New Testament reference appears in Romans 2:22, where Paul asks, "You who abhor idols, do you commit sacrilege?" The KJV uses "commit sacrilege" to translate the Greek verb hierosyleo, which literally means "to rob temples." Paul is addressing Jewish listeners who pride themselves on rejecting idolatry yet apparently engage in stealing from pagan temples—profiting from the very idolatrous system they claim to despise. This contradiction exposes a deep hypocrisy: condemning idols in principle while exploiting them for personal gain.
The Charge of Temple Robbery
The practice of robbing pagan temples was apparently well enough known in the ancient world that Paul could reference it as a recognizable accusation. Acts 19:37 provides a parallel, where the city clerk of Ephesus defends Paul and his companions by noting they are "neither robbers of temples nor blasphemers of our goddess." The Greek word used there, hierosylous, is from the same root. Jewish law explicitly prohibited profiting from idolatrous objects (Deuteronomy 7:25-26), yet the temptation to plunder the valuable gold and silver of pagan shrines was apparently real enough to warrant Paul's pointed question.
Paul's Argument About Hypocrisy
The reference to sacrilege in Romans 2:22 is part of Paul's larger argument in Romans 2:17-29, where he demonstrates that possessing the Law does not make one righteous if one fails to keep it. Paul lists a series of contradictions: teaching others not to steal while stealing, condemning adultery while committing it, and abhorring idols while committing sacrilege. The cumulative effect is devastating: those who boast in the Law dishonor God by breaking it (Romans 2:23). This argument levels the playing field between Jew and Gentile, preparing for Paul's conclusion that all have sinned (Romans 3:23).
Sacrilege in the Old Testament
While the specific term "sacrilege" does not appear frequently in the Old Testament, the concept is deeply embedded in Israelite law and narrative. The violation of holy things was treated with extreme seriousness. Achan's theft of devoted items from Jericho brought divine judgment on all Israel (Joshua 7:1-26). Belshazzar's use of the sacred temple vessels for a banquet provoked the famous writing on the wall (Daniel 5:1-4). Malachi 3:8 accuses the people of robbing God by withholding tithes and offerings. In each case, taking what belongs to God for common or selfish use constitutes a form of sacrilege.
The Sacredness of What Belongs to God
The biblical teaching on sacrilege ultimately points to a principle about the holiness of God and the inviolability of what is dedicated to him. Whether the issue is physical temple robbery, the misuse of sacred objects, or the withholding of what rightfully belongs to God, Scripture treats the violation of sacred boundaries as a serious offense. This principle extends beyond physical objects to encompass the sacredness of worship, covenant relationships, and the human body itself, which Paul calls a temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19).
Biblical Context
The term sacrilege appears in the KJV of Romans 2:22, where Paul accuses some Jewish listeners of robbing temples despite claiming to abhor idols. Acts 19:37 uses a related word to describe temple robbers. The broader concept of violating sacred things appears throughout the Old Testament in stories like Achan's sin (Joshua 7), Belshazzar's feast (Daniel 5), and Malachi's charge of robbing God (Malachi 3:8).
Theological Significance
Sacrilege reveals the seriousness with which God views the violation of sacred things. Paul's use of the term in Romans 2 exposes the danger of religious hypocrisy—condemning sin in theory while profiting from it in practice. The concept teaches that what belongs to God must be treated with reverence, and that inconsistency between belief and behavior is itself a form of dishonoring God.
Historical Background
Temple robbery was a recognized crime in the ancient Mediterranean world, with both Greek and Roman law imposing severe penalties. Jewish communities in the Diaspora sometimes faced accusations of temple robbery, and Roman law specifically addressed the issue. The wealth of ancient temples, which served as treasuries and banks, made them targets for theft. Archaeological discoveries of temple treasures and legal inscriptions confirm the historical reality behind Paul's reference.