Worshipper

Worshipper. A translation of the Greek word neocoros, used once only, Act 19:35 in the margin, "Temple-keeper". The neocoros was originally an attendant in a Temple probably intrusted with its charge. The term neocoros became, thus applied to cities or communities which undertook the worship of particular emperors even during their lives. The first occurrence of the term in connection with Ephesus is on coins of the age of Nero, A.D. 54-68.

Greek neokoros. "Temple keeper "; originally an attendant in charge of a temple. Then applied to cities devoted to the worship of some special idol, as Ephesus was to that of Diana (Act 19:35), In Nero’s reign about the same date, A.D. 55 or 56, a coin is extant inscribed with Neocoron Ephesion, and on the reverse Diana’s temple (Mionnet Inset. 3:9; Eckhel Doctr. Vet. Num. 2:520. (See RELIGION.) Ancient representations strikingly confirm the picture which Isaiah gives us in chapter 44 of the man who "hath formed a god, ... he marketh it out with a line ... after the figure of a man ... he taketh the cypress and the oak ... he maketh a god and worshippeth it; he maketh it a graven image" (Isa 44:10-15).

wûr´ship-ẽr. See TEMPLE KEEPERS; WORSHIP.