Greek word · G4769

στῦλος

stylos

pillar

A pillar or column: architectural supports, monumental pillars, and figuratively a 'pillar' of a community (Galatians 2:9; 1 Timothy 3:15). In the Greek Old Testament it also translates the pillar of cloud and fire.

Appears 4 times in 4 verses of the Greek New Testament. ·

What it means

στύλος (T, στῦλος, as in cl.), -ου, ὁ

[in LXX chiefly for עַמּוּד, also for קֶרֶשׁ, etc. ;]

a pillar, regarded especially as a support: σ. πυρός, Revelation 10:1; σ. ἐν τ. ναῷ, figuratively, Revelation 3:12, Metaphorical, Galatians 2:9; τ. ἀληθείας, 1 Timothy 3:15.†

(AS)

From G. Abbott-Smith, A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament (1922), via STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0).

In depth

From the study of Sirach 26:18

Range of meaning

A pillar or column: architectural supports, monumental pillars, and figuratively a 'pillar' of a community (Galatians 2:9; 1 Timothy 3:15). In the Greek Old Testament it also translates the pillar of cloud and fire.

Against the English

'Pillar' is accurate. What English readers miss is that, with 'gold' and 'silver bases', the word points to a particular building. These are not generic columns.

Used elsewhere in the period

In Septuagint Exodus 26–27 and 36–38, styloi are the posts of the tabernacle, overlaid with gold and set in silver bases. The closest parallel is the love poetry of Song of Songs 5:15 (LXX): 'his legs are marble pillars (styloi) set on bases of gold.' That is the same picture of legs as columns on precious pedestals, there applied to the man.

From the study of Revelation 10:1

Range of meaning

Pillar or column, the kind that holds up a building, especially a temple. Used figuratively for something steady and load-bearing (Gal 2:9; 1 Tim 3:15; Rev 3:12).

Against the English

Every major version says 'pillars'. The real difference is 'feet' (KJV, WEB, NASB, YLT) versus 'legs' (BSB, ESV, NIV). 'Legs' makes the column comparison easier to picture. 'Feet' keeps the Greek word, which v. 2 needs ('he set his right foot on the sea').

Used elsewhere in the period

The Greek Old Testament phrase στῦλος πυρός ('pillar of fire') for the Exodus guide, Exod 13:21–22; 14:24; Num 14:14; Neh 9:12, 19. Compare Rev 1:15, where the risen Christ's feet are 'like burnished bronze, refined in a furnace', and Dan 10:6, where the angel's arms and legs gleam like polished bronze.

From the study of Revelation 3:12

Range of meaning

A column or pillar, usually of stone, holding up a structure. Used figuratively for a leading or supporting person. Also used for the pillar of cloud and fire.

Against the English

All the major English versions say "pillar". The English word is accurate. What English readers may miss is that ancient columns carried inscriptions.

Used elsewhere in the period

The Septuagint uses it for Jachin and Boaz, the two great bronze pillars at Solomon's temple porch, which bore names (1 Kings 7:21), and for the pillar of cloud (Exodus 13:21). Galatians 2:9 calls James, Cephas and John "those reputed to be pillars", and 1 Timothy 3:15 calls the church "pillar and foundation of the truth". 1 Clement 5.2 calls the apostles "the greatest and most righteous pillars". Greek cities honored benefactors and priests with inscribed monuments set up in temple precincts.

Where it appears

Galatians · 1

  1. Galatians 2:9 στῦλοι pillars

    And recognizing the grace that I had been given, James, Cephas, and John—those reputed to be pillars—gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, so that we should go to the Gentiles, and they to the circumcised.

    Here: Load-bearing columns. In Jewish ears the word most likely called up the pillars of a temple: these three were seen as supports of God's renewed people, pictured as God's house.

1 Timothy · 1

  1. 1 Timothy 3:15 στῦλος [the] pillar

    in case I am delayed, so that you will know how each one must conduct himself in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.

    Here: A supporting column that holds up a structure and holds it up to view. The assembly holds up the truth.

Revelation · 2

  1. Revelation 3:12 στῦλον a pillar

    The one who overcomes I will make a pillar in the temple of My God, and he will never again leave it. Upon him I will write the name of My God, and the name of the city of My God (the new Jerusalem that comes down out of heaven from My God), and My new name.

    Here: "A pillar". A standing column was the most lasting part of a stone temple: fixed, holding weight, often carrying inscriptions. The person becomes a built-in part of God's house.

  2. Revelation 10:1 στῦλοι pillars

    Then I saw another mighty angel coming down from heaven, wrapped in a cloud, with a rainbow above his head. His face was like the sun, and his legs were like pillars of fire.

    Here: Upright columns, the kind that hold up a temple. They suggest immovable stability, and together with 'fire' they recall the pillar of fire of the Exodus.

Word data: STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0), main text only.