What are dulia, hyperdulia, and latria?

Answer

Dulia is a Greek term roughly equivalent to “service.” The term latria (or, in its ancient Greek form, latreia) is the Latin term for “worship.” According to Roman Catholic doctrine, latria is given to God, while the saints receive dulia (veneration), and Mary is deserving of hyperdulia (“beyond service” or “super-veneration”).

Catholicism distinguishes between dulia and latria, asserting that they are separate concepts. However, in the Scriptures, the terms worship and service are frequently used interchangeably or in conjunction when referring to God or pagan deities:

• Joshua 24:14, “Now fear the Lord and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord.” (Although the English translation uses “served” (once) and “serve” (twice), the Hebrew word in all three instances is the same for “serve.” This is how it is rendered in the Greek Septuagint translation of the Old Testament, which was utilized in the first century.)

• 2 Kings 17:33, “They served the Lord, but they also worshiped their own gods in accordance with the customs of the nations from which they had come.” (In this verse, the term translated as “served” is the one for “fear.” Nevertheless, the two concepts appear to be roughly equivalent.)

• 2 Kings 17:35, “When the Lord made a covenant with the Israelites, he commanded them: ‘Do not worship any other gods or bow down to them, serve them or sacrifice to them.’” (In this case, the term for “fear” is interpreted as “worship.”)

• Jeremiah 16:11, “[They] followed other gods and served and worshiped them. They abandoned me and did not keep my law.” (Here, the term translated as “worshiped” is the one for “bowing down.”)

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• Luke 4:8, “Jesus answered, ‘It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.’” This verse employs identical English language as Jeremiah 16:11: