Brief Overview of κολωνία (Strong’s G2862: kolonía)

Unveiling the Word

Understanding the Greek words used in the New Testament provides valuable insight into the historical, cultural, and theological contexts of biblical texts. The Greek word κολωνία (kolonía), found in Acts 16:12, is particularly significant as it describes a Roman colony, a term loaded with both political and cultural meaning. This word’s usage in the New Testament opens a window into understanding the Roman influence on early Christian communities and how believers navigated the complexities of living under Roman governance while spreading the message of Christ.

Necessary Information

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Greek Word: κολωνία, transliterated as kolonía [ko-lo-NEE-ah].

Etymology: The word κολωνία (kolonía) is derived from Latin colonia, which means “a settlement” or “a colony.” It was used to refer to Roman colonies established throughout the empire as military outposts or centers of Roman culture.

Part of Speech: Noun. Kolonía is a feminine noun and typically appears in the nominative singular form in the New Testament, often describing a city or settlement designated as a Roman colony. As a noun, it does not have declension details relevant to verbs or adjectives.

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Defining Meanings

1. Roman Colony: The primary meaning of κολωνία in the New Testament context is “a Roman colony,” referring to a city or territory settled by Roman citizens, usually veterans, to extend Roman culture and influence. These colonies often held special privileges, including exemption from certain taxes and self-governance under Roman law.
2. Settlement or Outpost: Beyond the technical term for a Roman colony, κολωνία can also broadly signify any settlement or outpost established for strategic or administrative purposes, reflecting the Roman practice of extending its influence across the Mediterranean world.

Exploring Similar Words

1. Πόλις (polis) [POH-lis]: Refers to a “city” or “town.” Unlike kolonía, which specifically denotes a Roman colony, polis can refer to any city-state in the Greek world, whether under Roman rule or not.
2. Κατοικία (katoikia) [ka-toy-KEE-ah]: Means “dwelling place” or “settlement.” This word is more general than kolonía, lacking the specific Roman cultural and political connotations associated with a colony.
3. Χωρίον (chorion) [kho-REE-on]: Refers to a “village” or “small settlement.” This word denotes a smaller and less politically significant settlement compared to kolonía.

Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

Case, Number, Gender: Kolonía is a feminine noun and appears in different cases depending on its grammatical function within a sentence. It is usually used in the singular form to denote a specific Roman colony, like Philippi, mentioned in Acts 16:12.

Declension: Kolonía follows the first declension pattern in Greek. Below is a declension table for reference:

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Studying Lexicon Insights

The word κολωνία is primarily understood in the New Testament as a Roman colony, which had distinct privileges and responsibilities under Roman law. In Acts 16:12, Philippi is described as a κολωνία, emphasizing its status and strategic importance in Macedonia. Colonies like Philippi served as bastions of Roman culture and authority, where Roman law and customs were actively promoted. The theological implications of κολωνία involve understanding how early Christians interacted with Roman structures, both adopting and subverting them to spread the gospel. This overview synthesizes insights from BDAG, Thayer’s, LSJ, Vine’s, Strong’s, LEH, and Moulton and Milligan.

Tracing Related Scriptures

1. Acts 16:12: “And from there to Philippi, which is the leading city of that district of Macedonia and a Roman colony [kolonía]; we remained in this city for some days.”

Analyzing Classical Usage

Noteworthy Summary

The Greek word κολωνία (kolonía) provides insight into the Roman political and cultural context of the New Testament. It highlights the interplay between Roman governance and early Christian communities, particularly in cities like Philippi, a Roman colony. Understanding this term enhances our comprehension of the socio-political environment in which early Christians lived and preached.

Did You Know?

1. Philippi, described as a kolonía in Acts 16:12, was founded as a Roman colony by Augustus after the Battle of Philippi in 42 BC.
2. Roman colonies like Philippi were often settled by retired soldiers, which helped Romanize the region and maintain loyalty to the empire.
3. The status of a Roman colony came with privileges such as tax exemptions and legal rights that aligned closely with those of Roman citizens.