### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek verb σεβάζομαι (sebázomai, `{{G4573}}`) is derived from σέβομαι (sebómai, `{{G4576}}`), which carries the core meaning of "to revere," "to worship," or "to feel awe." The base definition for σεβάζομαι is "to venerate, i.e., adore," emphasizing the act of worship or profound reverence. As a middle voice verb, it suggests an action performed by the subject for their own benefit or with a particular intensity, implying an inward sense of awe that expresses itself outwardly. While σέβομαι can denote a general reverence for sacred things or even a superstitious awe, σεβάζομαι specifically points to the act of adoration or worship. Its semantic range thus includes the act of showing deep respect, honor, and devotion, but its New Testament usage narrows its application significantly.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term σεβάζομαι (sebázomai, `{{G4573}}`) appears only twice in the New Testament, and in both instances, it describes a form of worship or reverence that is misdirected or illegitimate from a divine perspective.
1. **[[Romans 1:25]]**: "who exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen."
In this pivotal passage, Paul condemns the idolatry of humanity. Here, σεβάζομαι describes the act of "worshiping" the creature (τῇ κτίσει) instead of the Creator (τὸν κτίσαντα). The verb is used in conjunction with ἐλάτρευσαν (elatreusan, from λατρεύω `{{G3000}}`, "to serve"), highlighting both the adoration and the service rendered to false objects of worship. The context is humanity's suppression of the truth about God and their descent into spiritual darkness, demonstrating a profound misplacement of ultimate devotion.
2. **[[2 Thessalonians 2:4]]**: "who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God."
Here, the noun form σέβασμα (sebasma, derived from σεβάζομαι `{{G4573}}`) is used. It refers to "objects of worship" or "things held in reverence." The "man of lawlessness" (Antichrist) is depicted as exalting himself above all such objects, implying that he demands ultimate reverence for himself, usurping the place of God. This passage further underscores the potential for σεβάζομαι and its cognates to refer to reverence directed towards entities other than the true God, often in a context of usurpation or idolatry.
The limited and specific usage of σεβάζομαι in these contexts is highly significant, consistently pointing to inappropriate or false worship.
### Related Words & Concepts
σεβάζομαι (sebázomai, `{{G4573}}`) is closely related to its root verb σέβομαι (sebómai, `{{G4576}}`), which also means "to revere" or "to worship" and carries a sense of awe, often including a superstitious dread or reverence for the divine.
Other significant Greek words for "worship" or "reverence" in the New Testament include:
* προσκυνέω (proskyneō, `{{G4352}}`): This is arguably the most common and comprehensive word for worship in the New Testament, often implying prostration or bowing down in homage, typically directed towards God or Christ. It signifies an act of adoration and submission.
* λατρεύω (latreuō, `{{G3000}}`): This term emphasizes service, particularly cultic or ritualistic service rendered to God. It speaks of the practical devotion and obedience inherent in worship.
* δοξάζω (doxazō, `{{G1392}}`): "to glorify," often used in the context of giving honor and praise to God, which is an aspect of worship.
* τιμάω (timaō, `{{G5091}}`): "to honor," which, while broader than worship, certainly encompasses the reverence and respect due to God.
A key distinction emerges: while προσκυνέω and λατρεύω are consistently used to describe the proper worship and service of the one true God by believers, σεβάζομαι (and its noun form σέβασμα) in the New Testament context is exclusively employed to describe misdirected reverence—idolatry or objects of false worship. This suggests a specific nuance for σεβάζομαι, highlighting the human tendency to venerate that which is not God.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of σεβάζομαι (sebázomai, `{{G4573}}`) lies precisely in its restricted and negative application within the New Testament. It is never used to describe the appropriate worship rendered to God by His people. Instead, its rare occurrences serve as a stark warning against misdirected adoration.
In [[Romans 1:25]], σεβάζομαι underscores the profound spiritual error of humanity: exchanging the worship of the immutable Creator for the veneration of mutable creation. This act of idolatry is presented as a fundamental deviation from truth, leading to moral degradation. The choice to "worship" (ἐσεβάσθησαν) the creature rather than the Creator signifies a reordering of ultimate allegiance, a profound theological transgression.
In [[2 Thessalonians 2:4]], the reference to "every so-called god or object of worship" (πᾶν λεγόμενον θεὸν ἢ σέβασμα) highlights the Antichrist's ultimate blasphemy: positioning himself as the supreme object of reverence, above all other revered entities, including those falsely worshipped. This points to the eschatological culmination of humanity's propensity for misdirected worship, where a human figure demands the adoration due only to God.
Thus, σεβάζομαι functions as a theological caution. It reminds believers of the exclusive nature of true worship, which is reserved solely for the triune God. Any act of veneration, adoration, or profound reverence directed towards anything other than the Creator constitutes a form of idolatry, a turning away from the divine order. The word implicitly affirms the singularity of God as the sole worthy recipient of ultimate adoration.
### Summary
σεβάζομαι (sebázomai, `{{G4573}}`) signifies "to venerate" or "to adore." While its core meaning denotes an act of profound reverence, its New Testament usage is notably restricted and carries significant theological weight. Appearing only twice, σεβάζομαι is exclusively employed to describe misdirected worship: the idolatrous veneration of creation instead of the Creator ([[Romans 1:25]]) and the objects of false reverence that the "man of lawlessness" will seek to usurp ([[2 Thessalonians 2:4]]). This consistent application distinguishes it from other common New Testament words for worship, such as προσκυνέω (proskyneō, `{{G4352}}`) and λατρεύω (latreuō, `{{G3000}}`), which describe the proper worship and service due to the one true God. Therefore, σεβάζομαι serves as a potent reminder of the dangers of misplaced adoration and underscores the exclusive claim of the Creator upon the ultimate reverence of His creatures.
TRV