Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Nature:Idolaters are individuals who engage in the worship of idols or false gods, placing anything or anyone above the one true God. This practice is strictly condemned throughout the Bible as it violates the first and second commandments given by God to the Israelites. Idolatry is not limited to the worship of physical idols but extends to any form of devotion or allegiance that supersedes one's commitment to God.
Biblical Condemnation:The Bible consistently warns against idolatry, emphasizing its spiritual dangers and the wrath it incurs from God. In
Exodus 20:3-5 , God commands, "You shall have no other gods before Me. You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in the heavens above, on the earth below, or in the waters beneath. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God..."
The prophets frequently rebuked Israel for falling into idolatry, which led to their downfall and exile.
Jeremiah 10:14-15 states, "Every man is senseless and devoid of knowledge; every goldsmith is put to shame by his idols. For his molten images are a fraud; there is no breath in them. They are worthless, a work to be mocked. In the time of their punishment, they will perish."
Consequences of Idolatry:Idolatry is portrayed as spiritual adultery, a betrayal of the covenant relationship between God and His people. It leads to moral and spiritual decay, as seen in
Romans 1:21-23 : "For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking and darkened in their foolish hearts. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images of mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles."
The New Testament continues to warn believers against idolatry. In
1 Corinthians 10:14 , Paul exhorts, "Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry." The apostle John also cautions in 1
John 5:21 , "Little children, keep yourselves from idols."
Idolatry in the Heart:Idolatry is not merely an external act but a matter of the heart.
Ezekiel 14:3 reveals, "Son of man, these men have set up idols in their hearts and put wicked stumbling blocks before their faces. Should I let them inquire of Me at all?" This indicates that anything that captures our ultimate trust, love, or devotion can become an idol.
Modern Implications:While ancient idolatry often involved physical statues, modern idolatry can manifest in various forms, such as the pursuit of wealth, power, fame, or even relationships that take precedence over God.
Colossians 3:5 warns, "Put to death, therefore, the components of your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed, which is idolatry."
Call to Worship the True God:The Bible calls believers to worship God alone, recognizing His sovereignty and lordship. In
John 4:23-24 , Jesus declares, "But a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth, for the Father is seeking such as these to worship Him. God is Spirit, and His worshipers must worship Him in spirit and in truth."
Conclusion:Idolatry remains a significant spiritual issue, challenging believers to examine their hearts and lives continually. The call to forsake idols and worship the one true God is as relevant today as it was in biblical times.
Greek
1496. eidololatres -- an image worshiper... Word Origin from eidolon and latris (a hired servant) Definition an image worshiper
NASB Word Usage idolater (2),
idolaters (5). idolater.
...Library
Stiff-NeckedIdolaters and Pliable Christians
... STIFF-NECKEDIDOLATERS AND PLIABLE CHRISTIANS. 'Hath a nation changed their
gods, which are yet no gods? but My people have changed...
That God Does not Easily PardonIdolaters.
... 4. That God does not easily pardonidolaters. Moses in Exodus prays for
the people, and does not obtain his prayer, saying: "I pray...
An Argument Urging it Upon the Remnant ofIdolaters that they...
... the harmony of the gospels.Book I. Chapter XXVII."An Argument Urging It Upon the
Remnant ofIdolaters that They Should at Length Become Servants of This True...
Reformation
... nation.Idolaters not only gained a foothold in the city, but contaminated
by their presence the very precincts of the temple. Through...
Exile: Appeals for a Phinehas, and a Jehu: 1554
... July 1554, we find Knox exclaiming: "God, for His great mercy's sake, stir up some
Phineas, Helias, or Jehu, that the blood of abominableidolaters may pacify...
Note
... Paul did not hesitate to write things as they were of theidolaters to
whom he preached, even though the picture was very dark....
The Chosen People
... Asidolaters were roused to crush out the truth, the Lord brought His servants face
to face with kings and rulers, that they and their people might receive the...
As God, So Worshipper
... everything else is insipid and vain"these are our gods: and the solemn prohibition
may well be thundered in the ears of the unconsciousidolaters not only in...
The Living One
... because it has no special reference either to Israel or to the church; but because
of a latent reference it always has, to idols, and to judgment onidolaters....
Knox in England: the Black Rubric: Exile: 1549-1554
... Knox used "idolatry" in a constructive sense, as when we talk of "constructive treason."
But, in practice, he regarded Catholics as "idolaters," in the same...
Thesaurus
Idolaters (5 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Idolaters (5 Occurrences). 1 Corinthians
... RSV NIV).
1 Corinthians 10:7 Neither be
idolaters, as some of them were.
...Immoral (16 Occurrences)
... 1 Corinthians 5:10 yet not at all meaning with the sexual sinners of this world,
or with the covetous and extortioners, or withidolaters; for then you would...
Lewd (37 Occurrences)
... 1 Corinthians 5:10 Yet not altogether with lewd persons of this world, or with the
covetous, or extortioners, or withidolaters: for then ye must needs go out...
Sexually (10 Occurrences)
... Don't be deceived. Neither the sexually immoral, noridolaters, nor adulterers,
nor male prostitutes, nor homosexuals, (WEB NIV)....
Whoremongers (8 Occurrences)
... 1 Corinthians 5:10 and not certainly with the whoremongers of this world, or with
the covetous, or extortioners, oridolaters, seeing ye ought then to go forth...
Fornicators (8 Occurrences)
... 1 Corinthians 5:10 Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with
the covetous, or extortioners, or withidolaters; for then must ye needs go...
Murderers (9 Occurrences)
... Revelation 21:8 But for the cowardly, unbelieving, sinners, abominable, murderers,
sexually immoral, sorcerers,idolaters, and all liars, their part is in the...
Arts (48 Occurrences)
... Revelation 21:8 and to fearful, and unstedfast, and abominable, and murderers, and
whoremongers, and sorcerers, andidolaters, and all the liars, their part 'is...
Sorcerers (8 Occurrences)
... Revelation 21:8 But for the cowardly, unbelieving, sinners, abominable, murderers,
sexually immoral, sorcerers,idolaters, and all liars, their part is in the...
Sexual (59 Occurrences)
... 1 Corinthians 5:10 yet not at all meaning with the sexual sinners of this world,
or with the covetous and extortioners, or withidolaters; for then you would...
Resources
What was the “spirit of prostitution” in Hosea 4:12? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean to profane the covenant (Malachi 2:10)? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about eating food/meat that has been sacrificed to idols? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
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