Lexical Summary pniktos: Strangled Original Word: πνικτός Strong's Exhaustive Concordance strangled. From pnigo; throttled, i.e. (neuter concretely) an animal choked to death (not bled) -- strangled. see GREEK pnigo NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom pnigó Definition strangled NASB Translation strangled (2), things strangled (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4156: πνικτόςπνικτός, πνικτη, πνικτόν (πνίγω), suffocated, strangled: τό πνικτόν (what is strangled, i. e.) an animal deprived of life without shedding its blood, Acts 15:20, 29; Acts 21:25. ((Several times in Athen. and other later writ, chiefly of cookery; cf. our smothered as a culinary term.)) Topical Lexicon Occurrences in the New Testament πνικτός appears three times, each in Luke’s record of the Jerusalem Council and its aftermath (Acts 15:20; Acts 15:29; Acts 21:25). In every instance the term is embedded in the same fourfold instruction to Gentile believers: “abstain from food polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from the meat of strangled animals, and from blood” (Acts 15:20). Old Testament Foundations The prohibition rests upon earlier divine commands that life-blood belongs to God. After the flood Noah was told, “But you must not eat meat with its lifeblood still in it” (Genesis 9:4). The Mosaic Law later codified the principle: “For the life of the flesh is in the blood… therefore I say to the Israelites, ‘None of you may eat blood’” (Leviticus 17:11-12). An animal killed by strangling retained its blood, making its consumption tantamount to ingesting life-blood and thus violating God’s ownership of life. The Jerusalem Council’s Pastoral Aim By the first century, synagogue communities scattered among the nations still gathered around these long-standing food convictions. The apostles therefore sought to remove needless offense between Jewish and Gentile believers while avoiding the impression that grace nullified God’s moral order. James concluded, “It is my judgment…” (Acts 15:19-20) and the assembled church concurred, producing a letter dispatched with Barnabas, Paul, Judas, and Silas (Acts 15:22-29). The decree carried apostolic weight yet was framed as a minimal path toward unity, not a new legal code. Theological Themes 1. Sanctity of Life: By forbidding the eating of blood-laden meat, the church affirmed that life belongs to the Creator and may not be treated casually (cf. Psalm 24:1). Historical Reception Early patristic writers such as Tertullian and Clement of Alexandria referenced the apostolic letter to rebuke pagan practices and Gnostic excess. Medieval theologians debated its ceremonial versus moral dimensions, yet the mainstream church retained a respect for blood prohibitions through fasts and butchering laws. The Reformers, while insisting on justification by faith alone, nonetheless upheld the decree’s ethical core—especially its call to sexual purity and avoidance of idolatry. Practical Ministry Implications Today • Mission Contexts: In cultures where blood dishes are delicacies, believers weigh evangelistic witness against local freedoms, applying Acts 15’s spirit of deference. Enduring Significance πνικτός, though a rare term, anchors a moment when the early church articulated how grace honors God’s prior revelations and safeguards communal harmony. By embracing the decree, believers today demonstrate that love governs freedom and that Scripture—from Genesis to Acts—speaks consistently about the value of life and the mutual respect that marks the people of God. Forms and Transliterations πνικτον πνικτόν πνικτὸν πνικτου πνικτού πνικτοῦ πνικτων πνικτῶν pnikton pniktòn pniktôn pniktōn pniktō̂n pniktou pniktoûLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Acts 15:20 Adj-GNSGRK: καὶ τοῦ πνικτοῦ καὶ τοῦ NAS: and from fornication and from what is strangled and from blood. KJV: and [from] things strangled, and INT: and that which is strangled and from Acts 15:29 Adj-GNP Acts 21:25 Adj-ANS Strong's Greek 4156 |
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