from πρῶτος and κλισία; a reclining first (in the place of honor) at the dinner-bed, i.e. preeminence at meals:--chief (highest, uppermost) room.
Transliteration:prōtoklisía
Pronunciation:pro-tok-lis-ee'-ah
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek term πρωτοκλισία (prōtoklisía, `{{G4411}}`) is a compound word derived from πρῶτος (prōtos, `{{G4413}}`), meaning "first" or "chief," and κλισία (klisia, related to κλίνω `{{G2827}}`), referring to a place for reclining, specifically a company of reclining diners or the couch itself. Literally, it denotes the "first reclining place." In the context of ancient Greco-Roman banquets, guests would recline on couches (triclinia) while dining. The prōtoklisía was the most prominent and honorable position on these couches, typically reserved for the most esteemed guests. Thus, the semantic range of prōtoklisía extends beyond a mere physical location to encompass the concept of preeminence, social status, and the desire for public recognition and honor at meals or gatherings. It signifies the highest seat or chief place, embodying a position of distinction.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term prōtoklisía appears exclusively in the Synoptic Gospels, always in the context of Jesus' teachings and criticisms concerning the religious leaders of His day.
* In [[Matthew 23:6]] and [[Mark 12:39]], Jesus denounces the scribes and Pharisees for their love of prōtoklisías in banquets and πρωτοκαθεδρίας (protokathedrias, `{{G4400}}`, chief seats) in synagogues. This highlights their preoccupation with outward displays of status and public honor rather than genuine piety.
* [[Luke 11:43]] similarly records Jesus' woe to the Pharisees for loving prōtoklisías in the synagogues and greetings in the marketplaces. Here, the scope expands beyond banquets to include other public gatherings, emphasizing a pervasive desire for recognition and deference.
* Perhaps the most illustrative passage is [[Luke 14:7-8]]. Jesus observes guests at a wedding feast choosing the prōtoklisías. This observation prompts His parable about humility, where He advises guests to take the lowest place, so that they might be honored by the host rather than shamed. This narrative directly contrasts the human desire for self-exaltation with the divine principle of humility.
In all these instances, prōtoklisía serves as a symbol of pride, hypocrisy, and a misplaced focus on human approval. Jesus consistently uses it to expose the superficiality of those who seek honor from others rather than from God.
### Related Words & Concepts
Several terms and concepts are closely related to prōtoklisía, illuminating its full significance:
* πρωτοκαθεδρία (protokathedria, `{{G4400}}`): "Chief seat" or "first seat." This word is often paired with prōtoklisía in the Gospels ([[Matthew 23:6]], [[Mark 12:39]], [[Luke 11:43]]), reinforcing the idea of seeking prominent positions, whether at a dinner table or in a synagogue. Both terms collectively describe a desire for public preeminence.
* δόξα (doxa, `{{G1391}}`): "Glory" or "honor." The pursuit of prōtoklisía is driven by a desire for human doxa, which Jesus consistently contrasts with seeking doxa from God alone ([[John 5:44]]).
* ταπεινοφροσύνη (tapeinophrosynē, `{{G5012}}`): "Humility" or "lowliness of mind." This virtue stands in direct opposition to the pride inherent in seeking prōtoklisía. Jesus' teaching in [[Luke 14:7-11]] explicitly advocates for tapeinophrosynē as the path to true exaltation by God.
* ὑπερηφανία (hyperēphania, `{{G5244}}`): "Arrogance" or "pride." This vice is the underlying motivation for desiring prōtoklisía, representing a self-exalting spirit condemned by Christ.
* πρῶτος (prōtos, `{{G4413}}`): "First" or "chief." As the root of prōtoklisía, it emphasizes the core desire for primacy and superiority over others.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of prōtoklisía lies in its role as a powerful symbol in Jesus' radical reorientation of values within the Kingdom of God.
1. **Reversal of Worldly Values:** Jesus' condemnation of seeking prōtoklisía directly challenges the prevailing social norms and honor-shame culture of His time. While the world exalts those who seek prominence, Jesus teaches that true greatness in God's kingdom is found in humility and service. "For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted" ([[Luke 14:11]]). This principle is foundational to discipleship.
2. **Critique of Hypocrisy:** The desire for prōtoklisía exposes a heart that prioritizes outward appearance and human applause over genuine internal righteousness and devotion to God. It becomes a hallmark of hypocrisy, where religious acts are performed for public recognition rather than for God's glory. The Pharisees, in their pursuit of prōtoklisías, exemplify this spiritual malady.
3. **Call to Humility and Service:** By warning against the pursuit of prōtoklisía, Jesus calls His followers to embrace a spirit of humility ([[Philippians 2:3-8]]) and self-sacrificial service ([[Mark 10:43-45]]). The example of Christ Himself, who took the lowest place as a servant, stands in stark contrast to the self-exalting behavior associated with prōtoklisía.
4. **True Honor from God:** The teaching implies that true honor does not come from human recognition or self-promotion, but from God alone. Those who humble themselves before God will be exalted by Him in due time ([[1 Peter 5:6]]).
### Summary
πρωτοκλισία (prōtoklisía, `{{G4411}}`) refers to the "first reclining place" or "place of honor" at a banquet, symbolizing preeminence and social status. In the Gospels, Jesus consistently condemns the desire for prōtoklisía among the religious leaders, using it to expose their hypocrisy, pride, and misplaced focus on human approval. This word underscores a fundamental aspect of Jesus' teaching: the radical reversal of worldly values, where humility, self-abasement, and service are exalted as true virtues, in direct opposition to pride and the pursuit of self-exaltation. It serves as a perpetual warning against seeking honor for oneself within the community of faith, emphasizing that genuine honor and exaltation come from God alone, not from human recognition.
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