### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek noun θυσία (thysía - `{{G2378}}`) derives from the verb θύω (thýō - `{{G2380}}`), meaning "to sacrifice, to slaughter, to kill for sacrifice." At its core, thysía refers to an offering made to a deity, encompassing both the act of sacrificing and the object or victim that is offered. Its semantic range extends from literal animal sacrifices within cultic worship to metaphorical and spiritual offerings. In the Septuagint (LXX), thysía frequently translates Hebrew terms such as זֶבַח (zevach - `{{H2077}}`), denoting a slain offering, and מִנְחָה (minchah - `{{H4503}}`), often referring to a grain or meal offering. This background is crucial for understanding its New Testament usage, where it carries connotations of propitiation, atonement, devotion, and thanksgiving.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term θυσία (thysía - `{{G2378}}`) appears 29 times in the New Testament, with a significant concentration in the Epistle to the Hebrews.
In Hebrews, thysía is central to the author's argument for the superiority of Christ's sacrifice over the Old Covenant system. The epistle repeatedly contrasts the ineffectiveness and repetition of animal θυσίαι ([[Hebrews 9:9]], [[Hebrews 10:1]], [[Hebrews 10:8]], [[Hebrews 10:11]]) with the singular, perfect, and definitive θυσία of Jesus Christ ([[Hebrews 9:26]], [[Hebrews 10:12]]). Christ's θυσία is presented as the ultimate means of sanctification and perfection for believers ([[Hebrews 10:10]], [[Hebrews 10:14]]).
Beyond Hebrews, thysía also describes the spiritual offerings of believers:
* [[Romans 12:1]] exhorts believers to present their bodies as a "living θυσία, holy and acceptable to God," which is their "spiritual worship." This signifies a complete dedication of one's life to God.
* [[Ephesians 5:2]] describes Christ's self-giving act of love as an "offering and a θυσία to God for a fragrant aroma."
* [[Philippians 2:17]] speaks of Paul's life being "poured out as a drink offering upon the θυσία and service of your faith," illustrating his complete devotion to the gospel and the Philippians' spiritual growth.
* [[1 Peter 2:5]] encourages believers, as a "holy priesthood," to offer "spiritual θυσίαι acceptable to God through Jesus Christ."
* [[Hebrews 13:15-16]] specifies these spiritual θυσίαι as "the θυσία of praise" (the fruit of lips confessing His name) and "doing good and sharing" with others.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary verbal root for θυσία (thysía - `{{G2378}}`) is θύω (thýō - `{{G2380}}`), "to sacrifice, kill." Other related Greek terms that illuminate its meaning include:
* προσφορά (prosphorá - `{{G4376}}`): "offering, presentation," often used in parallel with thysía, particularly in Hebrews (e.g., [[Hebrews 10:10]]). While thysía emphasizes the act or victim of sacrifice, prosphorá highlights the act of bringing or presenting an offering.
* ἱλασμός (hilasmós - `{{G2434}}`): "propitiation, atoning sacrifice." This term directly relates to the effect of Christ's thysía in appeasing divine wrath and reconciling humanity to God.
* λύτρωσις (lytrōsis - `{{G3085}}`) / ἀπολύτρωσις (apolýtrōsis - `{{G629}}`): "redemption, deliverance by payment of a ransom." Christ's thysía is the means by which this redemption is achieved.
In the Old Testament, thysía frequently translates זֶבַח (zevach - `{{H2077}}`), a general term for a sacrifice, often involving the slaughter of an animal, and מִנְחָה (minchah - `{{H4503}}`), referring to a gift or offering, particularly a grain offering. The New Testament's use of thysía builds upon these Old Testament concepts, reinterpreting them through the lens of Christ's work and the new covenant. Key concepts associated with thysía include atonement, covenant, worship, priesthood, sanctification, and reconciliation.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of θυσία (thysía - `{{G2378}}`) is profound and central to Christian doctrine.
1. **Christ's Definitive Sacrifice:** The preeminent theological truth concerning thysía in the New Testament is the unique and eternally efficacious sacrifice of Jesus Christ. His death on the cross is presented as the perfect, once-for-all θυσία that fully atones for sin, fulfilling and superseding all Old Testament animal sacrifices ([[Hebrews 9:26]], [[Hebrews 10:10-14]]). This sacrifice establishes the New Covenant and provides complete access to God.
2. **Redefinition of Sacrifice:** The New Testament transforms the understanding of thysía from a ritualistic, external act to a spiritual, internal reality. While the Old Covenant required repeated animal sacrifices, Christ's θυσία is complete, necessitating no further blood offerings. This shift underscores that true reconciliation and worship are now based on Christ's finished work, not human performance.
3. **Believer's Spiritual Response:** Flowing from Christ's ultimate θυσία, believers are called to offer spiritual sacrifices. [[Romans 12:1]] famously calls for believers to present their "bodies as a living θυσία, holy and acceptable to God," which is described as "your spiritual worship." This is a call to total dedication, a life lived in continuous surrender and obedience to God. Furthermore, [[Hebrews 13:15-16]] identifies specific spiritual θυσίαι pleasing to God: the "sacrifice of praise" (worship and thanksgiving) and the "sacrifice of doing good and sharing" (practical love and generosity). These acts are expressions of faith and gratitude, made acceptable through Christ.
4. **Foundation of the New Covenant:** Christ's θυσία is the very blood of the New Covenant, establishing a new relationship between God and humanity based on grace and forgiveness, rather than the law ([[Hebrews 9:15-22]]).
### Summary
The Greek word θυσία (thysía - `{{G2378}}`) denotes an offering made to a deity, encompassing both the act and the victim. While rooted in the Old Testament concept of animal sacrifices, its New Testament usage is fundamentally reoriented by the person and work of Jesus Christ. The Epistle to the Hebrews, in particular, highlights Christ's singular, perfect, and eternally effective θυσία on the cross, which fully atones for sin and establishes the New Covenant, rendering all previous sacrifices obsolete. Consequently, thysía also describes the spiritual response of believers: presenting their entire lives as "living sacrifices" ([[Romans 12:1]]) and offering "sacrifices of praise" and good deeds ([[Hebrews 13:15-16]]). Thus, thysía encapsulates the redemptive work of Christ and the ongoing, devoted worship of His followers, marking a profound transition from ritualistic offering to transformative, relational commitment.
TRV