What is the origin and meaning of the word "church"?

Question

Atheist, as evidenced by the myriad of answers. Thanks.

Answer 1

The word, "church" comes from the Old English word "circe", which is derived from the Greek word "kyriakon (doma) meaning "the Lord’s (house) from the Greek root word "Kyrious" mean "Lord". (Funk and Wagnall’s)
http://www.holyorderofmans.org/BookofOrder/03-Origins-of-Church.htm


Circe, daughter of the sun, was a sorceress best known for her ability to turn men into animals with her magic wand. The daughter of Perse and Helios, and whose daughter is Aega (goddess of the sun) she is remembered for her encounter with Odysseus and his men, and renowned for her knowledge of magic and poisonous herbs.
http://www.pantheon.org/articles/c/circe.html


/******* ********/
caveat:
this is only "stuff I found on the net ..."

"origin? ... dunno" I 'm not a linguistic scholar


caveat 2:
when dealing with "highly abstracted" concepts, the tenuous
connection between symbol and referent sometimes yields
to the temptation to "apply spin" to ideas.

sometimes the "direction" of thought-implications are
tricky

Answer 2

Matthew 10:38 And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. It is representative of an event or the life altered actions of a soul that is a partaker of that event by belief. The suffering implied in crucifixion naturally made the cross a symbol of pain, distress and burden-bearing. Thus Jesus used it Himself (Mt 10:38; 16:24). In Paulinic literature the cross stands for the preaching of the doctrine of the Atonement (1 Cor 1:18; Gal 6:14; Phil 3:18; Col 1:20). It expresses the bond of unity between the Jew and the Gentile (Eph 2:16), and between the believer and Christ, and also symbolizes sanctification (Gal 5:24). The cross is the center and circumference of the preaching of the apostles and of the life of the New Testament church. It can be a literal piece of wood stuck in the ground vertically with a horizontal piece near the top to fasten the hands. The form usually seen in pictures, the crux immissa, in which the upright beam projected above the shorter crosspiece; this is most likely the type of cross on which the Saviour died, as may be inferred from the inscription which was nailed above His head;

Answer 3

It comes to English via Kirk (not James T.lol) from Kyrikos (forgive my transliteration) literally "the Master's."

I just had a long discussion about how silly the word church of god is, since it's "god's god's."

Kyrikos was used before Christianity for other temples, bodies and sacred (set aside) places.

These people are right, by the way, to point out that church is the WRONG word to translate ekklesia with.

Answer 4

Many people today understand the church as a building. This is not the Biblical understanding of the church. The word church comes from the Greek word "Ecclesia" which is defined as "an assembly,” or “called out ones.” The root meaning of “church” is not that of a building, but of people. It is ironic that when you ask people what church they attend they usually say Baptist, Methodist, or another denomination. Many times they are referring to a denomination or a building. Read Romans 16:5: "…also greet the church that is in their house..." Paul refers to the church in their house, not a church building, but a body of believers.

The church is the Body of Christ. Ephesians 1:22-23 says, "And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all." The Body of Christ is made up of all believers from the time of Pentecost until the Rapture.

Answer 5

The Christian word "Church" is used erroneously for the Greek "εκκλησία" — ekklesia, ref. Strong's Concordance — 1577

Answer 6

John in Revelation points us to Circe, the holy whore whose grave was in view of John at Patmos, (Circe, from Greek mythology is from where we get the English words church, circle or circus; Circe would feed her captives DUNG pancakes mixed with NARCOTICS and they would turn to swine) this IDENTIFIES the Anti-Christian church which re-defines "worship."

Answer 7

It means the body of the people or family, and not a material building made out of sticks and stones.

Answer 8

It is derived from the Greek "ekklesia", meaning the assembly of those united in belief and worship.

Answer 9

A man named Jesus said, "Where two or more are gathered, there I am also!"

I say, "Where two or more are gathered, in spirit and purpose, there is spiritual power!".

I would like it that people gather for each other's healing, but most gather at best for peace! Go figure. Rest in Peace?

I say rest in healing.

Answer 10

it means a group of people who gather for a common purpose. anything like that can be a church.