Lexical Summary Antiocheia: Antioch Original Word: Ἀντιόχεια Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Antioch. From Antiochus (a Syrian king); Antiochia, a place in Syria -- Antioch. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom Antiochos (Antiochus, the name of a number of Syrian kings) Definition Antioch, the name of two cities NASB Translation Antioch (18). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 490: ἈντιόχειαἈντιόχεια, Ἀντιοχείας, ἡ, Antioch, the name (derived from various monarchs) of several Asiatic cities, two of which are mentioned in the N. T.; 1. The most celebrated of all, and the capital of Syria, was situated on the river Orontes, founded by Seleucus I (sometimes (cf. Suidas under the word Σέλευκος, col. 3277 b., Gaisf. edition) called) Nicanor (elsewhere (cf. id. col. 2137 b. under the word Κολασσαεύς) son of Nicanor; but commonly Nicator (cf. Appian de rebus Syr., § 57; Spanh. de numis. diss. vii., § 3, vol. i., p. 413)), and named in honor of his father Antiochus. Many ἑλληνισται, Greek-Jews, lived in it; and there those who professed the name of Christ were first called Christians: Acts 11:19ff; 2. A city of Phrygia, but called in Acts 13:14 Antioch of Pisidia (or according to the critical texts the Pisidian Antioch (see Πισίδιος)) because it was on the confines of Pisidia (more exactly ἡ πρός Πισιδία, Strabo 12, p. 577, 8): Acts 14:19, 21; 2 Timothy 3:11. This was founded also by Seleucus Nicator (cf. BB. DD. under the word; Conyb. and Howson, St. Paul, i., 168ff). Topical Lexicon Geographical Setting Antioch (Greek Antiocheia) appears in the New Testament as two distinct cities: Both cities lay on major trade routes, possessed sizable Jewish populations, and enjoyed the status of free cities, factors that explain their readiness to receive apostolic preaching. Antioch of Syria in Apostolic Mission Acts 11 introduces Antioch of Syria as the first large-scale Gentile mission field. Persecuted believers from Jerusalem “traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch” (Acts 11:19). In this cosmopolitan center the gospel leaped the ethnic barrier: “Men from Cyprus and Cyrene… began speaking to the Greeks also, proclaiming the good news about the Lord Jesus” (Acts 11:20). Barnabas, sent by Jerusalem, quickly enlisted Saul, and “for a whole year they met with the church and taught great numbers” (Acts 11:26). The Name Christian and Identity of the Church Acts 11:26 records a pivotal moment: “The disciples were first called Christians at Antioch”. The label, probably coined by local Gentiles, identified followers of Jesus as a distinct community, neither merely Jewish nor a civic association. Antioch thus shaped early Christian self-understanding and public perception. Ministry Leadership and Prophetic Activity The congregation’s leadership blended cultural diversity and varied gifts (Acts 13:1 lists Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen, and Saul). Prophets from Jerusalem twice interacted with the church: Agabus foretold famine (Acts 11:27-28), prompting generous relief for Judea (Acts 11:29-30); later Judas Barsabbas and Silas delivered the Jerusalem Council’s decree (Acts 15:22-35). Such traffic underscores Antioch’s recognized authority and its partnership with Jerusalem. Launching Point for Paul’s Journeys From Antioch of Syria the Holy Spirit commissioned the first intentional missionary team: “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them” (Acts 13:2). Each of Paul’s three missionary journeys either began (Acts 13:3; 15:35-41; 18:22-23) or ended (Acts 14:26-28; 18:22) in Antioch, confirming the church as Paul’s home base and logistical hub. The Antioch Incident and the Gospel of Grace Galatians 2:11-14 recalls Peter’s withdrawal from Gentile table fellowship in Antioch, prompting Paul’s public rebuke. The event highlighted the theological conviction that justification is by faith apart from works of the Law and safeguarded Gentile liberty. Antioch therefore served as the proving ground for gospel inclusivity. Antioch in Pisidia: A Strategic City in Paul’s First Journey Acts 13:14 situates Paul and Barnabas in the synagogue of Pisidian Antioch, where Paul preached the resurrection and forgiveness of sins (Acts 13:16-41). The initial response was enthusiastic, but jealousy led to persecution and expulsion (Acts 13:45-50). On the return leg they revisited the city, “strengthening the disciples” (Acts 14:21-23). Pisidian Antioch demonstrated Paul’s synagogue-first strategy, the pattern of Jewish rejection and Gentile acceptance, and the establishment of organized local leadership. Persecution and Providence Opponents from Pisidian Antioch later incited violence in Lystra (Acts 14:19), showing how resistance traveled alongside the gospel. Yet the hostility only propelled the mission forward, fulfilling Jesus’ promise that persecution would serve as a platform for witness. Connection with the Jerusalem Council Believers from Antioch triggered the council by disputing circumcision (Acts 15:1-2). After deliberation, Jerusalem’s leaders sent an official letter back to Antioch (Acts 15:23), where its public reading “brought rejoicing by its encouragement” (Acts 15:31). The episode cemented doctrinal unity across the early Church. Later New Testament Echoes Paul’s summary to Timothy includes “what happened to me in Antioch” (2 Timothy 3:11), a reminder that godly ministry entails perseverance amid adversity. Though Luke does not narrate a final visit, Acts 18:22 hints that Paul “went up and greeted the church, and then went down to Antioch,” marking the close of his second journey and perhaps his last recorded stay. Theological Importance 1. Missionary Model: Antioch exemplifies a Spirit-directed, culturally diverse, teaching-oriented church that sends and supports missionaries. Applications for Contemporary Ministry • Cultivate multicultural leadership teams that mirror Antioch’s breadth. Antioch’s eighteen New Testament references collectively portray a vibrant, outward-looking congregation whose faithful witness shaped the trajectory of Christian history and offers an enduring template for gospel ministry today. Forms and Transliterations Αντιοχεια Ἀντιοχείᾳ Αντιοχειαν Ἀντιόχειαν Αντιοχειας Ἀντιοχείας Antiocheia Antiocheíāi Antiocheian Antiócheian Antiocheias AntiocheíasLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Acts 11:19 N-GFSGRK: Κύπρου καὶ Ἀντιοχείας μηδενὶ λαλοῦντες NAS: and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking KJV: and Antioch, preaching INT: Cyprus and Antioch to no one speaking Acts 11:20 N-AFS Acts 11:22 N-GFS Acts 11:26 N-AFS Acts 11:26 N-DFS Acts 11:27 N-AFS Acts 13:1 N-DFS Acts 13:14 N-AFS Acts 14:19 N-GFS Acts 14:21 N-AFS Acts 14:26 N-AFS Acts 15:22 N-AFS Acts 15:23 N-AFS Acts 15:30 N-AFS Acts 15:35 N-DFS Acts 18:22 N-AFS Galatians 2:11 N-AFS 2 Timothy 3:11 N-DFS Strong's Greek 490 |