Bible Word Study
σκύβαλον
skybalon · refuse, dregs
σκύβαλον
refuse, dregs
Definition
The Greek word σκύβαλον refers to something worthless or repulsive that is cast away, such as refuse, dregs, or dung. In its literal sense, it denotes the waste or scraps discarded after a meal, or excrement. Figuratively, it describes anything considered utterly worthless or contemptible. In the New Testament, it is used exclusively in Philippians 3:8, where the Apostle Paul employs it metaphorically to express the supreme worthlessness of all things compared to knowing Christ.
Biblical Usage
Σκύβαλον appears only once in the New Testament, in Philippians 3:8. Paul uses it in a powerful rhetorical contrast, stating that he considers all his former religious credentials and achievements as 'σκύβαλον'—utter rubbish—in comparison to the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus. This singular usage is intensely personal and theological, serving to highlight the absolute priority of Christ.
Etymology
The origin of σκύβαλον is uncertain, but it is a native Greek word. It likely derives from roots related to filth or scraps. In common Greek usage, it referred to refuse thrown to dogs, table scraps, dung, or any worthless thing fit only to be discarded. Its meaning is consistently negative, denoting something with no value.
Semantic Range
This word is theologically significant as it encapsulates the doctrine of the supremacy of Christ and the nature of true righteousness. Paul uses it to illustrate that human achievement, even religious pedigree and moral effort (Philippians 3:4-6), is worthless for salvation compared to the righteousness that comes through faith in Christ. It underscores the theme of total surrender and the re-evaluation of all values in light of the gospel, teaching that nothing should compete with Christ for our ultimate allegiance. In the ancient Greco-Roman world, σκύβαλον was a strong, vulgar term for waste. It could refer to the scraps thrown out after a banquet or to excrement. Using this word to describe his prestigious Jewish credentials (Philippians 3:5-6) would have been shocking and vividly offensive to Paul's original audience, dramatically emphasizing the completeness of his rejection of former sources of pride for the sake of Christ. περιψήματα (peripsēma, G4067) — 'offscouring,' refuse, often used metaphorically for the most despised persons (1 Corinthians 4:13). κόπρος (kopros, G2874) — 'dung, manure,' a more direct and literal term for excrement (Luke 13:8, 14:35).
Word Details
How this works
Definitions are from the Dodson Greek-English Lexicon, supplemented by STEPBible TBESG data (CC BY 4.0). Concordance and morphology data are derived from the interlinear Bible.
Full methodology & sources →References
- Abbott-Smith, G. (1921) A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament. Edinburgh: T&T Clark. [Public Domain]
- Brown, F., Driver, S.R. and Briggs, C.A. (1906) A Hebrew and English Lexicon of the Old Testament. Oxford: Clarendon Press. [Public Domain]
- Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Tyndale Brief lexicon of Extended Strongs for Greek (TBESG). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
- Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Translators Formatted full LSJ (TFLSJ). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
- Thayer, J.H. (1889) A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament. [Public Domain]
- Gesenius, W. (1846) Gesenius' Hebrew-Chaldee Lexicon to the Old Testament. [Public Domain]
- Dodson, J. (2010) Greek Lexicon. Biblical Humanities. [CC0]