οἰκεῖος

From the study of 1 Timothy 5:8

Range of meaning

"Belonging to the house (oikos)". As a noun it means members of one's household: family, close kin, the people who live under one roof and depend on it. It can be used figuratively for people bound together, as in "household of faith" (Gal 6:10) and "members of God's household" (Eph 2:19).

Against the English

KJV "those of his own house", ESV/NASB "members of his household" and NIV "their own household" all fit. The contrast with "his own" (idioi) is between the wider family and the immediate household.

Used elsewhere in the period

Classical and Koine Greek commonly use oikeioi for relatives and intimates. In the Septuagint (Lev 18:6, 12–13; 21:2) it is used for near kin, the circle within which incest laws and mourning duties applied.

From the study of Ephesians 2:19

Range of meaning

Belonging to the household (oikos). As a noun it means a relative, kin or member of the family. An ancient household included the extended family and dependants under the authority and protection of its head, the paterfamilias.

Against the English

'Members of the household' (BSB, ESV) is accurate. 'Of the household' (KJV) is literal. NLT's 'members of God's family' brings out the sense of kinship well. A modern reader may picture a small nuclear family. The ancient oikos was a larger unit of kinship, property, worship and mutual obligation.

Used elsewhere in the period

Galatians 6:10 has 'those of the household of faith' and 1 Timothy 5:8 'one's own household'. In the LXX, Leviticus 18:6 uses it for near blood relatives and Isaiah 58:7 for 'your own kin'. In ordinary Greek it means one's own relatives as opposed to outsiders.

From the study of Galatians 6:10

Range of meaning

Belonging to the house (oikos). As a noun it means relatives, kin, household members, and close associates. In later Greek it could weaken to "belonging to, devoted to" (e.g., people "belonging to" a philosophy).

Against the English

KJV/ESV "household of faith" keeps the house picture. BSB/NLT "family of faith" and NIV "family of believers" turn it into family, which is close enough, since the ancient household was the family unit. "Fellow believers" would lose the kin obligation.

Used elsewhere in the period

LXX Lev 18:6: "near of kin" (oikeia sarkos). LXX Isa 58:7: share bread with the hungry and "do not overlook your own kin (tōn oikeiōn)." 1 Tim 5:8: "if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially (malista) for members of his household (oikeiōn)", which uses the same two words as here. Eph 2:19: "members of God's household" (oikeioi tou theou).