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Veneration of Images and Statues

— A Biblical Examination

Explanation​

Veneration means showing great respect, honor, or reverence toward someone or something—often in a religious context.

In the Catholic Church, veneration specifically refers to:

  • Honoring saints, relics, or images (like statues or icons of Mary or Jesus) without worshiping them as God.

  • The Catholic distinction is that veneration is not adoration (which is reserved for God alone). They say:

    • Adoration (latria) = for God only.
    • Veneration (dulia) = for saints.
    • Highest veneration (hyperdulia) = for Mary alone, above all other saints.

However, many Protestants argue that in practice, Catholic veneration closely resembles worship, especially when people kneel, pray, or light candles before statues.

Example​

If someone kneels before a statue of Mary and prays a “Hail Mary,” Catholics say this is veneration, not worship. But others (especially those using the Bible alone as their guide) often see it as a form of idolatry based on Scriptures like:

Exodus 20:4–5 (KJV)

“Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God…”

The command is direct and unambiguous. God forbids the making of images for religious use and the act of bowing to them. This prohibition applies to all forms of likeness used in worship or religious reverence.

No Distinction Between Worship and Veneration in Scripture​

Although religious tradition may attempt to distinguish between “worship” and “veneration,” Scripture makes no such separation. Bowing before an image, burning incense, or praying in its presence is condemned regardless of intent.

Leviticus 26:1 (KJV)

“Ye shall make you no idols nor graven image, neither rear you up a standing image… to bow down unto it: for I am the LORD your God.”

God requires worship to be directed to Him alone, without visual representation.

God Is Not to Be Represented by Any Image​

Deuteronomy 4:15–16 (KJV)

“Take ye therefore good heed unto yourselves… Lest ye corrupt yourselves, and make you a graven image, the similitude of any figure…”

When God revealed Himself to Israel at Sinai, no form was shown. This omission was intentional. God is spirit and not to be represented physically.

Idolatry Is Repeatedly Condemned​

Throughout Scripture, the use of images in religious contexts leads to spiritual corruption.

2 Kings 17:12 (KJV)

“For they served idols, whereof the LORD had said unto them, Ye shall not do this thing.”

Psalm 115:4–8 (KJV)

“Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men's hands… They that make them are like unto them; so is every one that trusteth in them.”

The making and use of religious images is connected to idolatry and spiritual blindness.

New Testament Confirms the Prohibition​

1 John 5:21 (KJV)

“Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.”

The New Testament continues to uphold the command against idolatry. No images or statues are associated with Christian worship in the early church.

Summary of Key Passages​

TopicScripture ReferenceBiblical Teaching
Commandment against imagesExodus 20:4–5No graven images or bowing before them
No veneration of imagesLeviticus 26:1All forms of image-based worship are forbidden
God revealed without formDeuteronomy 4:15–16God is not to be represented by any likeness
Idolatry condemned repeatedly2 Kings 17:12; Psalm 115:4–8Idols are made by men and dishonor God
New Testament warning against idols1 John 5:21Believers must avoid all forms of idolatry

Conclusion​

Scripture forbids the making, bowing to, or using of images in any religious context. There is no biblical allowance for the veneration of statues or icons. Worship is to be directed to God alone, without physical representations. The Word of God consistently warns against idolatry in both the Old and New Testaments.