God's Church: A Few Words on Worship
Proskuneo and Latreuo
Proskuneo…
This primary word for worship is connected with the idea of kissing (now you're interested- right?). It was as someone kissing the earth to honor the deities of the earth. It then came to connote prostrating oneself in reverence. This showed that the worshiper considered the object worthy of whatever he was offering. Even the English word "worship" (a shortened form of "worthship") means to attribute worth to the object worshiped. Our Lord used this word in His classic statement on worship in John 4:24…
But the time is coming—indeed it's here now—when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for those who will worship Him that way. (24) For God is Spirit, so those who worship Him must worship in spirit and in truth."
In relation to the church, the word occurs only in 1 Corinthians 14:25 and refers there to the worship of an unbeliever who comes into the assembly. Perhaps the use of this term was avoided to describe the worship of the early church because of its associations with heathen rites, and the idea that proskuneo worship was done in the visible presence of the object worshiped. Nevertheless, the idea of prostrating oneself in reverence of the object worshiped remains a legitimate facet of Christian worship.
Latreuo...
This highly significant word conveys the idea that worship is priestly service. The believer's entire life should be one of service-worship as in Rom. 12:1… And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all He has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind He will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship Him. Prayer reflects this kind of worship… Acts 3:1-2 NLT Peter and John went to the Temple one afternoon to take part in the three o'clock prayer service. (2) As they approached the Temple, a man lame from birth was being carried in. Each day he was put beside the Temple gate, the one called the Beautiful Gate, so he could beg from the people going into the Temple. Romans 1:10-11 NLT One of the things I always pray for is the opportunity, God willing, to come at last to see you. (11) For I long to visit you so I can bring you some spiritual gift that will help you grow strong in the Lord. The word occurs several times in relation to giving… Romans 15:27 NLT They were glad to do this because they feel they owe a real debt to them. Since the Gentiles received the spiritual blessings of the Good News from the believers in Jerusalem, they feel the least they can do in return is to help them financially. 2 Corinthians 9:11-12 NLT Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous. And when we take your gifts to those who need them, they will thank God. (12) So two good things will result from this ministry of giving—the needs of the believers in Jerusalem will be met, and they will joyfully express their thanks to God. The general ministry of the Gospel is service-worship .. Philippians 3:3 NLT For we who worship by the Spirit of God are the ones who are truly circumcised. We rely on what Christ Jesus has done for us. We put no confidence in human effort. Romans 15:16 NLT I am a special messenger from Christ Jesus to you Gentiles. I bring you the Good News so that I might present you as an acceptable offering to God, made holy by the Holy Spirit. Perhaps the reason the word Latreuo is used of the believer's worship rather than the first one is simply that since Christ is not visible “today” our worship is to be shown in service. The worship of the church, then, consists of individual, corporate, public, and private service for the Lord which is generated by a reverence for and submission to Him who is totally worthy. Remember, the church is not brick and mortar; the church is those who have been purchased by the precious blood of the Lamb. Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.
It recalls His life (the bread), His death (the cup), His resurrection and living presence (the service itself).
Love to all, Pastor Mike
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