An IDOL — but the Greek word first means a PHANTOM, an appearance, a shape with no substance: Homer uses it of the shades in the underworld and of the ghostly likeness sent to deceive. The Greek Old Testament chose it for the images of the nations, and the choice was itself an argument — calling the god a semblance. ⚠ At 1 Thessalonians 1:9 the direction matters: the Thessalonians 'turned to God FROM the idols', which does not describe irreligious people acquiring a religion but people with gods already withdrawing from them. In a Greek city that meant withdrawing from the festivals, trade associations and civic sacrifices that made up ordinary social life — the concrete reason for the 'much affliction' of verse 6. English 'idol' comes straight through the Latin idolum. → first discussed at 1 Thessalonians 1:9