from a compound of the base of ὁμοῦ and λόγος; to assent, i.e. covenant, acknowledge:--con- (pro-)fess, confession is made, give thanks, promise.
Transliteration:homologéō
Pronunciation:hom-ol-og-eh'-o
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek verb ὁμολογέω (homologéō, `{{G3670}}`) is a compound word derived from ὁμοῦ (homou, `{{G3674}}`), meaning "together" or "the same," and λόγος (logos, `{{G3056}}`), meaning "word," "reason," or "declaration." Etymologically, it signifies "to speak the same word," "to agree with," or "to assent to." This fundamental meaning extends to a range of semantic applications in the New Testament, encompassing:
* **Confession:** A public declaration or acknowledgment, often of faith in Christ or of one's sins. This is the most prominent usage.
* **Professing:** To declare openly, to avow, or to claim adherence to a belief or way of life.
* **Acknowledging:** To recognize the truth or reality of something, to concede.
* **Agreeing/Promising:** To come to an accord or to make a binding declaration.
* **Giving Thanks/Praise:** In some contexts, an acknowledgment of God's character, goodness, or deeds that leads to praise.
The essence of homologéō lies in a verbal, often public, act of alignment or identification, signifying a congruence between one's inner conviction and outward expression.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The usage of homologéō in the New Testament is rich and varied, revealing its profound theological significance:
* **Confession of Christ as Lord:** Perhaps the most pivotal use, especially in Pauline epistles. In [[Romans 10:9]], the verb is central to the doctrine of salvation: "if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." Here, homologéō denotes a public, verbal declaration of allegiance to Jesus' divine Lordship, an outward expression of an inward faith. Similarly, [[Matthew 10:32]] states, "Therefore whoever confesses me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven," highlighting the reciprocal nature of this confession.
* **Confession of Sins:** homologéō is also used for the acknowledgment of personal wrongdoing before God. [[1 John 1:9]] promises, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." This act of confession is not merely an admission but a humble alignment with God's righteous judgment of sin, leading to divine grace and purification.
* **Professing Faith or Truth:** The word can describe a continuous state of declaring one's faith or adherence to truth. For instance, in [[Titus 1:16]], it is used critically: "They profess to know God, but by their deeds they deny Him." This verse underscores that a mere verbal profession (homologéō) is insufficient if not accompanied by consistent action, revealing the potential for hypocrisy. In [[Hebrews 11:13]], the patriarchs are said to have "confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth," an acknowledgment of their transient earthly status and their hope in a heavenly country.
* **Acknowledging or Agreeing:** In some instances, homologéō simply means to acknowledge or agree to a fact. For example, in [[Acts 24:14]], Paul states, "But this I confess to you, that according to the Way which they call a sect, so I worship the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the Law and in the Prophets." Here, it functions as an admission or declaration of his religious practice and beliefs.
* **Giving Thanks/Praise:** While less frequent than its use for confession, the semantic range of homologéō can extend to an acknowledgment of God's character or deeds that leads to praise. This nuance is sometimes seen in contexts where one publicly acknowledges God's truth or goodness, which naturally flows into expressions of gratitude.
### Related Words & Concepts
Understanding homologéō is enhanced by examining its relationship with other key Greek terms:
* **λόγος (logos, `{{G3056}}`):** As the root of homologéō, logos (word, speech, reason) emphasizes that confession is a verbal act, a declaration that aligns with a divine truth or reality.
* **ὁμοῦ (homou, `{{G3674}}`):** The prefix homou ("together," "the same") highlights the essence of homologéō as speaking in agreement with God's truth or in alignment with a shared belief.
* **ἐξομολογέω (exomologéō, `{{G1843}}`):** This related verb, intensified by the prefix ek ("out of" or "from"), often carries the nuance of a more complete, public, or full confession, particularly of sins or praise. While homologéō is a general confession or acknowledgment, exomologéō often implies a more overt, public, and comprehensive declaration, frequently used in the Septuagint for giving thanks or praising God.
* **ἀρνέομαι (arnéomai, `{{G720}}`):** This word, meaning "to deny" or "to refuse," stands as the direct antonym of homologéō. The stark contrast between confessing Christ and denying Him is a recurrent theme in the New Testament (e.g., [[Matthew 10:33]]).
* **πίστις (pistis, `{{G4102}}`):** "Faith" is intrinsically linked to homologéō. While pistis denotes the inward conviction and trust, homologéō is the outward, verbal expression and affirmation of that faith. The two are inseparable for a complete picture of biblical salvation.
* **μαρτυρέω (martyreō, `{{G3140}}`):** "To bear witness" or "to testify." While both homologéō and martyreō involve public declaration, homologéō emphasizes agreement or acknowledgment, whereas martyreō focuses on giving evidence or testimony to a truth, often based on personal experience.
### Theological Significance
The theological weight of homologéō is profound and multifaceted:
* **Foundation of Salvation:** The public confession of Jesus as Lord is presented not merely as an optional add-on to faith but as an integral component of salvation. It signifies a decisive break with past allegiances and a public identification with Christ and His kingdom. This act is a declaration of allegiance, a transfer of sovereignty from self to the Risen Lord.
* **Authenticity of Faith:** homologéō serves as a litmus test for genuine faith. True belief is not silent or hidden but finds expression in open declaration and corresponding lifestyle. A profession that is contradicted by deeds is deemed hollow (cf. [[Titus 1:16]]).
* **Relationship with God:** The confession of sins is vital for the restoration and maintenance of a right relationship with God. It acknowledges human sinfulness and God's holiness, fostering humility and dependence on divine grace. This act of humble transparency opens the way for forgiveness and cleansing.
* **Witness and Evangelism:** By confessing Christ, believers become living witnesses to His truth in the world. Their verbal declaration, coupled with their transformed lives, serves as a powerful testimony to the reality of God's saving power.
* **Covenantal Identity:** Rooted in "speaking the same word," homologéō implies aligning oneself with God's revealed truth and His covenant. It is an act of affirming one's identity within God's people and His divine purposes.
### Summary
ὁμολογέω (homologéō, `{{G3670}}`) is a significant Greek verb in the New Testament, denoting a public, verbal declaration or acknowledgment. Its etymological core, "to speak the same word," underscores the idea of agreement, assent, or alignment. This word is most famously used for the **confession of Christ as Lord** (e.g., [[Romans 10:9]]), which is presented as an essential component of salvation, linking inner belief with outward declaration. It is also crucial for the **confession of sins** (e.g., [[1 John 1:9]]), facilitating forgiveness and reconciliation with God. Beyond these, homologéō describes **professing allegiance** to truth or a way of life, **acknowledging** facts, and, less frequently, **giving thanks** as an acknowledgment of God's goodness. Theologically, homologéō highlights the public and active nature of faith, serving as a sign of genuine belief, a means of relational restoration with God, and an act of witness to the world. It stands in direct contrast to denial (`{{G720}}`, *arnéomai*) and is foundational to understanding the dynamic interplay between inner conviction and outward expression in Christian discipleship.
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