Quick Definition
στῦλος, ου, ὁ n.m. a pillar
Strong's Definition
properly akin to the base of G2476 (ἵστημι)); a post ("style"), i.e. (figuratively) support
Derivation: from (to stiffen;
KJV Usage: pillar
UBS Dictionary of the Greek New Testament
noun, m. | -ου
7.45 · Constructions · Parts and Areas of Buildings
pillar, column an upright shaft or structure used as a building support στῦλος is also used in speaking of the leaders of the Jerusalem church (GAL 2:9; see 36.7). In GAL 2:9 the focus is upon the important role of such persons in supporting and maintaining the church. In a number of languages such a figurative meaning may be expressed as ‘very important persons in the church.’
In a number of languages pillars may be described as ‘those poles which support the house’ or ‘those logs which hold up the roof.’ Usually, however, there are rather specific terms to designate these important parts in the construction of houses or halls.
UBS Dictionary of the Greek New Testament © United Bible Societies, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Thayer's Greek Lexicon
στύλος [RG WH (Trin 1 Tim. iii. 15; Rev. x. 1)], more correctly στῦλος [so L T (Tr in Gal. ii. 9; Rev. iii. 12)]; see Passow [or L. and S.] s. v. fin. [ef. Chandler | Pass. reflexGt | §§ 274, 275; Lipsius, Gram. Untersuch. p. 43], -ov, 6, [fr. Aeschyl. and Hdt. down], Sept. often for 13D, a piliar, column: στῦλοι πυρός, pillars of fire, i.e. flames rising like columns, Rev. x. 1; ποιήσω αὐτὸν στῦλον ἐν τῷ ναῷ τοῦ θεοῦ pov, i. 6. (dropping the fig.) I will assign him a firm and abiding place in the everlasting kingdom of God, Rev. iii. 12; used of persons to whose eminence and strength the stability and authority of any institution or organization are due, Gal. ii. 9 [where cf. Bp. Lghtft.]; Clem. Rom. 1 Cor. 5, 2 and the note in Gebhardt and Harnack, (στῦλοι οἴκων εἰσὶ παῖδες ἄρσενες, Eur. Iph. T. 57; exx. fr. [Jewish writ. are given by Schoettgen (on Gal. |. c.) and fr.] eccles. writ. by Suicer, Thes. ii. p. 1045 sq.; columen reipublicae, Cic. pro Sest. 8, 19, and often elsewh. in Lat. auth.); @ prop or support: τῆς ἀληθείας, 1 Tim. iii. 15.
Mounce Concise Greek Dictionary
στῦλος stylos 4x
a pillar, column, Rev. 10:1; used of persons of authority, influence, etc., a support or pillar of the Church, Gal. 2:9; Rev. 3:12; a support of true doctrine, 1 Tim. 3:15*
Abbott-Smith Greek Lexicon
στύλος (T, στῦλος, as in cl.), -ου, ὁ
[in LXX chiefly for עַמּוּד, also for קֶרֶשׁ, etc. ;]
a pillar, regarded especially as a support: σ. πυρός, Re 10:1; σ. ἐν τ. ναῷ, fig., Re 3:12, Metaph., Ga 2:9; τ. ἀληθείας, I Ti 3:15.†
Moulton & Milligan — Vocabulary of the Greek NT
στύλος, “pillar’?: BGU VII. 1713! (ii/iii A.D.) στύλων povoλίθων, P Giss I. 6913 (A.D. 118-19) διὰ τὴν τοῦ πεντηκοντάποδος στύλου καταγωγὴν πλεῖστα κτήνη ἔχομεν, and BGU IV. τοχϑι8 (ii/a.p.) πρὸς χρείαν τῶν τοὺς στύλ[ους ἐΠργαϊ[οἹμένων. See also the diminutives in P Iand 11% (iii/A.D.) κόμισον δὲ ἕν στυλάριν and OG/S 3328 (B.c. 138132) ἐπὶ στυλίδος pappaplyys. A new adv. στυλοειδῶς, “fin the form of a pillar,” is found in Epicurus Z/. II. 104 (ed. Bailey). The metaph. usage of στύλος, as in Gal 2%, is common to classical, Jewish, and Christian writers: see Suicer Thes. 5.
Liddell-Scott-Jones — Greek-English Lexicon
στῦλος (stulos) — pillar. στῦλος, ὁ (feminine at Epidaurus, [Refs 4th c.BC+], pillar (={κίων} accusative to [Refs 2nd c.AD+], especially as a support or bearing, [Refs 5th c.BC+]: metaphorically, σ... οἴκων εἰσὶ παῖδες ἄρσενες [NT+5th c.BC+]
2. σ. πυρός [LXX+NT]
3. wooden pole, [Refs 5th c.BC+]; [σκηνῆς] tent-poles, uprights, opposed to διατόναια, [Refs 3rd c.BC+]; plank, [Refs 5th c.BC+]
4. stile for writing on waxed tablets; wrongly used in this sense by Greek speakers at Alexandria and in the East accusative to [Refs 3rd c.BC+]; compare στυλοειδής.