of Latin origin (macellum); a butcher's stall, meat market or provision-shop:--shambles.
Transliteration:mákellon
Pronunciation:mak'-el-lon
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek term μάκελλον (mákellon), Strong's `{{G3111}}`, is a transliteration of the Latin "macellum," which referred to a public market, specifically a provision market or a butcher's stall. Its core meaning denotes a place where foodstuffs, particularly meat, were sold. This term encompasses the idea of a meat market, a provision-shop, or what might be colloquially termed "shambles." It signifies a common, commercial space for the sale of daily provisions, emphasizing the practical, everyday context of its usage. The singular occurrence of this word in the New Testament highlights a very specific scenario, grounding the theological discussion in a concrete, relatable setting of ancient urban life.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term μάκελλον (mákellon) appears only once in the New Testament, in [[1 Corinthians 10:25]]. In this passage, the Apostle Paul instructs the Corinthian believers regarding the consumption of meat: "Eat whatever is sold in the shambles (μάκελλον) without raising any question on the ground of conscience." This instruction is part of a larger discourse (chapters 8-10 of 1 Corinthians) concerning Christian liberty, food sacrificed to idols, and the importance of not causing a weaker brother to stumble.
The context reveals a practical issue faced by early Christians living in a predominantly pagan society. Meat sold in the *mákellon* might have originated from animals sacrificed to idols in pagan temples before being sold for public consumption. Paul's directive here is profoundly insightful: he permits believers to purchase and eat such meat without inquiry, provided their own conscience is clear and no one else's conscience is thereby offended. The emphasis is on the public marketplace as a neutral zone; the act of purchase itself does not inherently defile, nor does it necessitate an investigation into the meat's prior history, unless the act of eating it in a particular context would lead another believer to sin or doubt. This demonstrates a nuanced approach to Christian living amidst cultural complexities, prioritizing love and the avoidance of scandal over rigid adherence to external rules concerning food.
### Related Words & Concepts
The study of μάκελλον (mákellon) is intrinsically linked to several broader biblical concepts and related Greek terms. Key among these are:
* **Food and Eating:** Terms like βρῶμα (brōma, `{{G1035}}`, "food") and ἐσθίω (esthíō, `{{G2068}}`, "to eat") are central to the discussion in 1 Corinthians 8-10.
* **Idols and Idolatry:** εἴδωλον (eidolōn, `{{G1497}}`, "idol") and εἰδωλόθυτον (eidōlothyton, `{{G1494}}`, "food sacrificed to idols") are directly relevant, as the concern over meat from the *mákellon* stemmed from its potential connection to pagan worship.
* **Conscience:** συνείδησις (syneidēsis, `{{G4864}}`, "conscience") is pivotal. Paul repeatedly refers to the believer's conscience and the conscience of others as the guiding principle for ethical action regarding food and other *adiaphora* (matters indifferent).
* **Stumbling Block:** σκάνδαλον (skandalon, `{{G4625}}`, "stumbling block") highlights the pastoral concern that Christian liberty should not become a cause for a weaker brother to fall into sin or doubt.
* **Christian Liberty:** This concept undergirds Paul's entire argument. Believers are free in Christ, but this freedom is to be exercised responsibly, always considering the spiritual well-being of others. The *mákellon* serves as a practical setting where this liberty is both tested and expressed.
### Theological Significance
The single mention of μάκελλον (mákellon) carries significant theological weight, serving as a concrete backdrop for profound principles of Christian ethics and community.
1. **God's Sovereignty Over Creation:** Paul asserts in [[1 Corinthians 10:26]], "For the earth is the Lord's, and the fullness thereof." This declaration, quoted from [[Psalm 24:1]], fundamentally shifts the perspective on food sold in the market. It affirms that all creation belongs to God, rendering the pagan dedication of a portion of it ultimately meaningless in terms of its inherent spiritual defilement.
2. **Christian Liberty and Responsibility:** The instruction concerning the *mákellon* exemplifies the balance between Christian freedom and communal responsibility. While a believer may be personally free to eat any food, their freedom is not an absolute right to be exercised without regard for its impact on others, particularly those with weaker consciences.
3. **The Priority of Love and Edification:** Paul's teaching emphasizes that actions should be governed by love for one another ([[1 Corinthians 8:1]]) and the desire to build up the body of Christ ([[1 Corinthians 10:23]]). The *mákellon* scenario becomes a test case for how believers navigate cultural norms while upholding the unity and spiritual health of the church.
4. **Distinction Between Personal Conviction and Public Witness:** The passage implies that what one does in private (eating meat from the market) may differ from what one does in a public setting, especially if it causes others to stumble. This highlights the importance of discerning the context and the potential impact of one's actions on the Christian witness.
### Summary
The Greek term μάκελλον (mákellon, `{{G3111}}`), meaning a "meat market" or "shambles," appears only once in the New Testament, in [[1 Corinthians 10:25]]. Despite its singular occurrence, it is crucial for understanding a significant aspect of early Christian ethics regarding food, idolatry, and conscience. Paul's instruction to eat whatever is sold in the *mákellon* without question, unless it causes a brother to stumble, illustrates the theological principles of God's sovereignty over creation, the responsible exercise of Christian liberty, and the paramount importance of love and edification within the community. The *mákellon* thus serves as a practical, everyday setting where profound theological truths about living as a believer in a complex world were applied.
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