ὁμῑλ-ία G3657
Association, company, or companionship; intercourse or fellowship with others, especially frequent interaction
This noun denotes association, companionship, or frequent interaction with others—'the company one keeps.' In 1 Corinthians 15:33, Paul quotes a Greek proverb: 'Bad company ruins good morals.' The word emphasizes sustained association rather than passing contact—the companions or social circle that shapes character through ongoing influence. The warning is practical: moral formation happens through relationships, and corrupting associations erode virtue. The plural form can mean 'companions' or 'associations,' highlighting the social networks that mold us.
Senses
1. sense 1 — Companionship, association, or the company one keeps, particularly sustained social interaction. 1 Corinthians 15:33 cites the Greek proverb 'bad company corrupts good morals,' warning that associations shape character. The term emphasizes not isolated contact but ongoing fellowship—the social circles and companions whose influence, for good or ill, molds moral life. Paul warns Corinthians to guard their associations carefully. 1×
AR["مُخالَطاتٌ"]·ben["সঙ্গতি"]·DE["Umgang"]·EN["companions"]·FR["fréquentation"]·heb["חֲבוּרוֹת"]·HI["संगतियाँ"]·ID["pergaulan"]·IT["compagnia"]·jav["sesrawungan"]·KO["교제들이"]·PT["companhias"]·RU["сообщества"]·ES["compañías"]·SW["ushirikiano"]·TR["kötü"]·urd["صحبتیں"]
Related Senses
H0559 1. say, speak, tell (5297×)G3004 1. say, tell, speak (2226×)H1696 1. speak, say, tell (Piel) (1105×)H7121 1. call, summon, name (575×)H6680 1. command, order, charge (483×)H6030b 1. answer, respond, reply (289×)G2980 1. speak, talk (277×)H5046 1. Hifil: to tell, report (237×)G0611 1. answer or respond verbally (232×)H1288 1. Piel: bless, invoke blessing (227×)H7650 1. swear, take an oath (Niphal) (154×)H3789 1. Qal passive participle: written, recorded (112×)H1984b 1. praise, laud (Piel) (111×)H7592 1. ask, inquire, question (96×)H3034 1. give thanks, praise (Hifil) (94×)G1321 1. teach, instruct actively (92×)H3789 2. Qal active: write, compose (89×)G1125 1. to write, compose (a letter or document) (84×)H5046 2. Hifil: to declare, proclaim (79×)H7892a 1. song, musical composition (78×)
BDB / Lexicon Reference
ὁμῑλ-ία, Ionic dialect -ιη, ἡ, intercourse, company, ἔσθ᾽ ὁμιλίας κακῆς κάκιον οὐδέν Refs 4th c.BC+; ὁ. τινός communion or intercourse with one, Refs 5th c.BC+; τοὺς ἀξίους δὲ τῆς ἐμῆς ὁ. of my society, Refs 5th c.BC+; ὁ. χθονός intercourse with a country, Refs 5th c.BC+; ἔχειν ἐν θεοῖς ὁ. live among them, Refs 5th c.BC+; ἡ καθ᾽ ὑμᾶς αὐτοὺς πολιτεία καὶ ὁ. public and private life, Refs 5th c.BC+;…