LAITY is a term that has emerged in the Western religious and theological traditions to refer to those members of a religious community who, as a group, do not have the responsibilities of fulfilling the priestly functions appropriate to the offices of the clergy or ordained ministers.

Etymology and Origins of Concept

The adjective lay is derived from the Greek word laikos (Lat., laicus) meaning "of or from the people." In early Christianity the term came to connote "the chosen people of God," a meaning derived from the Greek laos ("people of unknown origin"). In the New Testament a distinction is made between the Jewish "people" (laos) and their priests and officials (as in, for example, Acts 5:26, Matthew 26:23, Hebrews 7:5, 7:27).

Before the end of the first century CE the term laos took on a more ecclesiastical connotation. The term laikos is used by Clement of Alexandria (c. 200 CE) to...