sacrifice
thusia denotes offerings made to God or an altar, including Christ’s self-offering and figurative offerings of praise, service, and giving.
The term most often denotes offerings presented in priestly, legal, or altar-related settings; it also names Christ’s self-offering and is applied to praise, doing good, sharing, bodily dedication, and faith-related service. Several verses set such offerings beside mercy or wholehearted love, rather than treating them as the highest good.
Senses in use
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Ritual or altar offerings · dominant
In 1 Corinthians 10:18, the plural accusative form occurs with those who eat and participate in the altar. Hebrews 10:1 and Hebrews 10:11 describe repeated offerings under the law, while Acts 7:41 places a singular offering before an idol.
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Christ's self-offering · common
Ephesians 5:2 places the singular form in the clause where Christ gave himself up to God. Hebrews 10:12 describes a single offering for sins, and Hebrews 9:26 speaks of dealing with sin through the offering of himself.
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Figurative offerings to God · common
Romans 12:1 applies the singular form to presenting bodies as living and pleasing to God. Hebrews 13:15 identifies an offering of praise with lips that acknowledge God's name, and Hebrews 13:16 calls doing good and sharing offerings pleasing to God.
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Offerings contrasted with mercy or love · occasional
Matthew 9:13 and Matthew 12:7 place the singular form in the saying, “I desire mercy and not sacrifice.” Mark 12:33 compares love for God and neighbor with burnt offerings and sacrifices.
In the Anselm Project Bible: The APB commonly uses “sacrifice” or “sacrifices” in altar, priestly, and offering contexts; it also renders phrases such as “living sacrifice” and “sacrifice of praise.” These renderings confirm the verses' overall presentation rather than isolating every contribution of the Greek term.