λατρεία

From the study of Romans 12:1

Range of meaning

Service paid to a god: worship, especially the rites of a temple and the work of priests. In earlier Greek it could mean hired labour, but in biblical Greek it is almost always religious worship.

Against the English

KJV and WEB 'service' now makes readers think of serving others or a Sunday 'church service'. ESV and NIV 'worship' is better. BSB 'service of worship' combines the two.

How it drifted

'Service' has lost its older sense of 'divine service', meaning liturgy.

Used elsewhere in the period

In the Septuagint it renders ʿavodah, the worship of the tabernacle and temple, e.g. the Passover rite (Exod 12:25–26) and the work of the temple (1 Chr 28:13). Hebrews 9:1, 6 uses it for the rites of the tabernacle. In Romans 9:4 'the latreia', the temple worship, is one of Israel's God-given privileges.

From the study of John 16:2

Range of meaning

Service, especially religious service: worship rendered to a deity, including temple ritual and sacrifice. The related verb latreuō means 'to worship, serve (a god)'.

Against the English

BSB, WEB and YLT say 'service'; KJV says 'doeth God service'. In 1611, 'service' readily meant worship, as in 'divine service'. Today it sounds like 'doing God a favour' or 'performing a duty'. The supplied gloss 'ministry' is also too vague. The Greek word is worship language.

How it drifted

English 'service' has broadened to mean any helpful act or job. The older sense of liturgical worship ('a church service') survives, but readers rarely carry it over to this verse.

Used elsewhere in the period

In the Greek Old Testament it is used for the Passover rite (Exod 12:25-26; 13:5) and Israel's worship in general (Josh 22:27; 1 Chr 28:13). In the NT: Rom 9:4 (Israel's temple 'worship'), Rom 12:1 ('your reasonable worship'), Heb 9:1, 6 (tabernacle rites). Philo uses the word family for worship of God.

From the study of Hebrews 9:1

Range of meaning

Service. In older Greek its word family could refer to work for hire or to serving a master. In Jewish and Christian Greek it is used almost entirely for service rendered to God, especially ritual service at a sanctuary.

Against the English

"Divine service" (KJV, WEB) keeps the sense of duty performed. "Worship" (BSB, NIV, ESV, NLT) is acceptable, but it can suggest singing or inner devotion, whereas this word points to actions carried out before God.

How it drifted

English "worship" has come to refer mainly to church gatherings, music and personal devotion. The word here describes a structured set of sanctuary duties.

Used elsewhere in the period

In the LXX it translates Hebrew ʿăbōdâ, "service," for the Passover rite in Exodus 12:25-26 and 13:5, and for the sanctuary service in Joshua 22:27 and 1 Chronicles 28:13. 1 Maccabees 2:19 and 2:22 use it for ancestral religion. Plato's Apology 23c shows the broader Greek use, with Socrates speaking of his "service to the god." Romans 9:4 lists it among Israel's privileges.