What is Worship?

From: TFTW Bible College

There are different words translated as “worship” in our English Bibles. We will not examine everyone, but we will look at one that gives us the idea of what worship is. We will transliterate the word from Greek to English. When something is transliterated it is not really defined. It is just the bringing of similar sounds into another language. If we transliterate the Greek word we are examining, it would look like “proskuneo.”

The word “proskuneo” has a definition that paints some interesting pictures. One picture is that of a dog licking his master’s hand. Perhaps you have seen a dog that comes up to its master and licks his or her hand. The dog is obedient and shows affection by this act. Another picture is that of someone falling down or prostrating themselves in front of someone to give them reverence and respect. For example, a servant might bow down or prostrate themselves by lying on the ground in front of a king. That servant is showing that they honor and respect the king they serve. We use the first four letters of “proskuneo” when we use words like “prostrate” or “prospect.” There is an idea of pointing towards or moving towards something. The servant prostrates himself by bowing down toward the king. The prospector goes out to look for the future treasure of gold. Someone with good prospects has a bright future. Similarly, the idea of “proskuneo” has been defined as “to kiss toward.” The idea of a “kiss” would of course show love and respect, and the idea of “toward” would show the direction the love and respect were given.

If we summarize it all, we could say that worship is love, respect, and honor being sent in a certain direction towards someone. In the case of Christianity, our worship is love, respect, and honor being sent to God. In other words, worship is approaching God and directing our love, respect, and honor to Him. We are the servants and God is the audience and recipient of our worship!

In the Mosaical dispensation, the tribe of people known as the Levites performed the functions of the priests. The Old Testament describes them as “approaching” God. “And thou shalt give to the priests the Levites that be of the seed of Zadok, which approach unto me, to minister unto me, saith the Lord GOD, a young bullock for a sin offering.” (Ezekiel 43:19)

In the Christian dispensation, those who have obeyed and become Christians are described as priests. “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:” (1 Peter 2:9) Christians may approach God in worship, including the asking of forgiveness, without going through another earthly man. The days of going to earthly men for sacrifices and worship to God were under the Mosaical dispensation which is no longer in authority. Christians are now the priests and Jesus is the High Priest who is the mediator between God and men. We, as Christians, may now approach God. “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:15-16)