Is the Oikos Principle Biblical? (Part Three)

Review: At least 95% of the time, people who give their hearts to Jesus actually give their hearts to Jesus because of the primary influence of someone in their oikos. That’s a flat-out staggering number. And, evidently, an important reality to recognize. But I lived 23 years before I ever heard that.

During those 23, I grew up in a great ministry family, attended a well-respected Christian university and seminary, and served in a vocational ministry role for several years. So, yeah, I understand why people wonder if the oikos principle is biblical. Hearing about it 45 years ago, for the first time, was even a shock to my system. I mean, being immersed in “church world,” my entire life, you’d think I would have discovered it much earlier, if it indeed was that big of a deal.

All that to say, I’ve dedicated three posts (this being the third) to people who question the biblical veracity of the oikos principle. Maybe you’re one of them. If so, I’m humbled that you’ve chosen to hear me out. Thanks for coming back.

“Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.”
—The Apostle Paul (1 Timothy 1:15)

For the last two posts, we’ve introduced the oikos principle’s placement in Scripture by elevating two elements, (1) the preeminence of God’s historic purpose to provide salvation for sinners and, thereby turn lost people into saved people, and (2) the ridiculously high percentage of believers who give credit for their salvation (first to God, of course, but also) to the primary influence of someone in their oikos.

But the idea of oikos is much more than an indirect inference in the Bible. It is mentioned clearly, directly, and often. You could say that the process is as obvious as the purpose!

For example, after healing the demon-possessed man, Jesus told him to, “Go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.” (Mark 5:19) The Greek word translated “your own people” is oikos.

After Zacchaeus gave his heart to Christ, Jesus said, “Today salvation has come to this house.” (Luke 19:9) The Greek word translated “house” is oikos.

When Jesus healed the son of a royal official, “he and his whole household believed.” (John 4:53) The Greek word translated “household” is oikos.

When Jesus called Levi (Matthew) to be His disciple, it says, “While Jesus was having dinner at Levi’s house, many tax collectors and ‘sinners’ were eating with him and his disciples, for there were many who followed him.” (Mark 2:15) The Greek word translated “house” is oikos.

When Cornelius showed interest in becoming a Christian, the angel told him that Peter would be paying him a visit. “He will bring you a message through which you and all your household will be saved.” (Acts 11:14) The Greek word translated “household” is oikos.

When Paul planted a new church in Philippi, the core group God provided him included a businesswoman and civic employee. It’s interesting how Paul, God’s ambassador to the Gentiles, was used to communicate the Gospel to both. But as soon as Philippi enjoyed an indigenous, albeit relatively new Gospel presence, the oikos principle kicked in and started firing on all cylinders.

“When (Lydia) and the members of her household were baptized, she invited us to her home.” (Acts 16:15) The Greek word translated “household” is oikos.

“At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his household were baptized.” (Acts 16:33) Once again, the Greek word translated “household” is oikos.

I could go on, but it’s not just the noun form of the word that tells the story in the Greek New Testament. In so many well-known New Testament challenges, some form of the word oikos frames part of compound Greek words, adding oikocentric character to the meaning every time it shows up.

For example, in Ephesians 3, Paul passionately delivers a description of the massiveness of God’s love. “That Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.” (Ephesians 3:17) The English “dwell” is a combination of kata (down) and oikeo (home). It refers to a state of comfortability. The challenge is to welcome the love of God into your life as you would welcome a close friend or family member. He wants God’s children to become uber comfortable with the power of God’s love. So comfortable, in fact, that we’d have enough faith to show the same level of love that God showed us, even to those around us who may have offended us.

Another example is Colossians 1:25. “I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness.” The Greek oikonomia is another compound term, this time combining oikos (house) with nomos (law). Paul’s point is that God has given each of us official (evidently, even legal) influence among a specific and relatively small circle of people. The English word commission accurately frames the intent of the statement.

The Bible is an incredible collection of documents. I continue to hold to its inerrancy, its infallibility, and the historic verbal plenary view of its inspiration. But, years ago, when I was confronted with the power of the oikos principle, I more clearly understood that, through every story and precept, the love that God has for people stands out. God truly so loved the world that He sent Jesus to save the world. The Bible is clear. We don’t just go to church, we are the Church! And we’re here for the lost.

The Bible has value at a lot of levels. Paul made that clear to Timothy.

“From infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God- breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:15-17)

Yet every “good work” has a purpose. In fact, they all have the same purpose. Ultimately, they all point to one thing. We don’t follow Jesus just so He would bless us and make us happy. Through us, God wants to show the world there is only one true God, through whom everyone can experience peace and purpose in the midst of all of the chaos and confusion.

Good works lead to holy living. And, “without holiness, no one will see the Lord.” (Hebrews 12:14)

Jesus came into the world to save sinners. Plain and simple. Paul told Timothy that he (Paul) viewed himself as the one who needed God’s saving grace the most. It may be fair to assume that the perfectionism that made him a Pharisee of the Pharisees, also haunted his imperfections as an Apostle. Yet he so highly valued the role good works played in helping people see Jesus in us.

“Go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.” (Mark 5:19)

We all have a story about how Jesus changed our lives. And whereas, storytelling connects people to the mission we’ve been given, God’s Word prepares people for the mission we’ve been given. That’s why we study it deeply and often.

(Click here to download our free new ebook, Is Oikos Biblical?)