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I'm having a hard time with this word Pharmakeia (Strongs Greek 5331) The definition is medication, magic, sorcery, witchcraft. Or also A drug, an enchantment, magic, potion, charm.

I'm confused on how medication and a drug is related to magic, sorcery, and witchcraft. I mean we get the name Pharmacy from the same word and sell medications from them and those are not considered magical. How does this word refer to Magic?

G5331
φαρμακεία
pharmakeia
Thayer Definition:
1) the use or the administering of drugs
2) poisoning
3) sorcery, magical arts, often found in connection with idolatry and fostered by it
4) metaphorically the deceptions and seductions of idolatry
Part of Speech: noun feminine
A Related Word by Thayer's/Strong's Number: from G5332

G5332
φαρμακεύς
pharmakeus
Thayer Definition:
1) one who prepares or uses magical remedies
2) sorcerer
Part of Speech: noun masculine
A Related Word by Thayer's/Strong's Number: from pharmakon (a drug, i.e. spell-giving potion)


You might check out this article as I think it will answer you concerns.  The writer believes that "use or administering of drugs" is an Americanized meaning.   

http://evidenceforchristianity.org/galatians-519-has-the-word-pharmakeia-which-means-the-use-and-administration-of-drugs-why-does-the-niv-translate-it-as-witchcraftr/

Ive been doing some research and this is what I found.. In ancient greece there was a practice where the would drink a hallucinatory drink. This is what Pharmakeia is referring to.

I heard a preacher on tv last year say that the number one spiritual sin and stronghold in america is a pharmacia spirit or drug spirit....
Americans take way too many legal drugs....
We have 4-5 pharmacies in our small town where we only had 2 just a few years ago....
They are addicted to legal pharmacqical drugs in many cases......
Then we have legalized marijuana......
Ilegal drugs. Heroin...are an epedemic.....
I believe this preacher was right....
I believe drugs and even legal drugs can be a false substitue for the Holy Spirit
My daughter took medication for migrains and it took her 6-12 months to get off of them after she didnt need them anymore
I used to be a public school elementary counselor......
I got so tired of the proffessionals coming in and having all these names and labels for kids....
Add.  Adhd.  Opositional defiant........we didnt have thes deseases when i was a kid?
As soon as they label these kids they put them on drugs.......
Then it was ridilen...now rhey are sqying ridelen is bad for you and have pulled it....
They used to say smoking was ok just 50 years ago.....
1 corinthians 3:19
The wisdom of men is foolishness to God
We must pray and here God before we take some of these drugs......

Ur all correct,1 word,diff. language,diff. inflection,diff. meaning. Teenage kid says,"O sure;like even;ya' think;or'2 die 4. 4 phazses,multiple poss. meanings.   DIG IT,dudes ?