Understanding Δέρβη (Derbē) Strong’s G1191: The Ancient City that Witnessed Paul’s Ministry and the Early Church’s Growth

Pronunciation Guide: dehr-BAY

Basic Definition

Strong’s G1191: Δέρβη (Derbē) refers to an ancient city located in the district of Lycaonia in Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey). It was one of the cities visited by Paul and Barnabas during their first missionary journey. Derbē served as a place of refuge for the apostles after they fled from persecution in nearby Lystra and became an important outpost for early Christianity in the region.

Etymology and Morphology

• Noun, Proper Name (feminine)
• Origin: Likely of native Lycaonian origin
• Primary usage: Historical narrative in Acts
• Appears in the New Testament exclusively in Acts
• Functioning as a geographical proper noun

Δέρβη Morphology:

• Δέρβη (nominative singular) – Derbē
• Δέρβης (genitive singular) – of Derbē
• Δέρβῃ (dative singular) – in/at/to Derbē
• Δέρβην (accusative singular) – to Derbē

Origin & History

The etymology of Δέρβη is somewhat obscure, as it likely derives from the local Lycaonian language rather than Greek. Historically, Derbē was a frontier city situated on the southeastern borders of the Roman province of Galatia, near the border with the province of Cappadocia. According to the ancient geographer Strabo (Geography, 12.6.3), Derbē was considered one of the “fourteen cities of Galatia” and was at one point the residence of the local ruler Antipater Derbetes.

Archaeological evidence suggests Derbē was a modest provincial town rather than a major metropolis. Its strategic location along trade routes between the Anatolian plateau and Syrian regions likely contributed to its significance during the Roman period. The city gained Roman citizenship rights under Emperor Claudius (41-54 CE), around the time of Paul’s visit, and was later renamed “Claudio-Derbē” in his honor.

Expanded Definitions & Translation Options

• An ancient city in Lycaonia, southeastern Asia Minor
• A location of early Christian missionary activity
• A place of refuge for Paul and Barnabas
• A city where the early church was established

Δέρβη Translation Options:

• “Derbē” – Direct transliteration, maintaining the proper name as used in most English translations
• “City of Derbē” – Expanded translation clarifying its status as an urban center
• “Derbē of Lycaonia” – Contextual translation identifying its regional location
• “Claudio-Derbē” – Historical translation reflecting its later Roman designation

Biblical Usage

Δέρβη appears in the New Testament exclusively in the book of Acts, specifically in contexts describing Paul’s missionary journeys. In Acts 14:6, Paul and Barnabas fled to Derbē and Lystra to escape persecution in Iconium. After experiencing severe persecution in Lystra (where Paul was stoned and left for dead), they proceeded to Derbē where they preached the gospel successfully and made many disciples.

The city is significant in early Christian history as it represents the easternmost point of Paul’s first missionary journey before he turned back westward. The absence of any mention of persecution in Derbē, unlike the other cities Paul visited in the region, suggests the apostles found a relatively receptive audience there.

• “But they found out about it and fled to Derbē [Δέρβην] and Lystra, cities of Lycaonia, and to the surrounding region.” Acts 14:6
• “They preached the gospel in that city and made many disciples. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch.” Acts 14:21 (Following their time in Derbē [Δέρβην])
• “He came to Derbē [Δέρβην] and to Lystra. And behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a believing Jewish woman, but his father was Greek.” Acts 16:1
• “And he was traveling through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches. Paul came also to Derbē [Δέρβην] and to Lystra.” Acts 20:4 (Context for Gaius of Derbē)

Cultural Insights

Derbē’s location in Lycaonia placed it in a culturally diverse region characterized by the blending of Hellenistic, Roman, and indigenous Anatolian influences. The local population likely spoke the Lycaonian language (mentioned in Acts 14:11 regarding nearby Lystra) alongside Greek, which was the lingua franca of the eastern Mediterranean world. This multicultural environment would have presented both opportunities and challenges for Paul’s mission work.

The Roman imperial cult was almost certainly present in Derbē, as it was throughout cities in Asia Minor during this period. The town’s later designation as “Claudio-Derbē” indicates its incorporation into the Roman administrative system and likely reflected the presence of imperial cult worship. Paul’s message about Yeshua the Messiah as Lord would have directly challenged these pagan religious practices and Roman imperial ideology, offering a radical alternative to the spiritual landscape of Derbē.

Interestingly, while persecution is explicitly mentioned in the other cities of this region (Iconium, Lystra, and Antioch), there is no record of opposition in Derbē. This may indicate either a more tolerant religious atmosphere or perhaps strategic wisdom on Paul’s part in how he presented the gospel message to this particular community.

Theological Significance

The inclusion of Δέρβη in the biblical narrative highlights Yahweh’s sovereignty in directing the spread of the gospel even through persecution. When Paul and Barnabas were driven out of other cities, the persecution actually served to advance the gospel to new regions, fulfilling the Messiah’s commission to be witnesses “to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8). This demonstrates how God’s plans cannot be thwarted by human opposition—what was intended for harm, He used for good.

Derbē also represents the transformative power of the gospel in establishing communities of faith in unlikely places. We learn from Acts 14:21 that Paul and Barnabas “made many disciples” in Derbē, indicating a successful church planting effort. Later, in Acts 20:4, we meet Gaius of Derbē, who had become a traveling companion of Paul, suggesting the ongoing fruit of the apostolic work there. This small provincial town became a beacon of light in a region dominated by paganism, demonstrating that Yahweh often works powerfully through seemingly insignificant places and people.

The story of Derbē reminds us that God’s kingdom advances not primarily through political power or cultural influence but through faithful proclamation of the gospel that transforms individual lives and establishes communities of believers who live as citizens of heaven while residing in earthly cities.

Personal Application

The story of Derbē invites us to consider how God might use unexpected detours and difficulties in our own lives to accomplish His purposes. Paul and Barnabas did not originally plan to visit Derbē—they arrived there fleeing persecution. Yet in this unplanned destination, they established a thriving community of disciples. When our carefully laid plans are disrupted, we might be exactly where Yahweh wants us to be, reaching people we would not otherwise encounter.

Furthermore, Derbē’s location as a frontier city challenges us to consider the “border regions” of our own society—those places and people groups that might be overlooked or considered insignificant. The gospel flourished in this provincial town far from the centers of power and influence. This should encourage us to look beyond prominent and prestigious mission fields to the Derbēs of our world—places where the transforming message of the Messiah’s love might find particularly receptive soil.

Related Words

• Λύστρα (Lystra, pronounced LOOSE-trah) – Another Lycaonian city frequently mentioned alongside Derbē, where Paul was stoned but later returned. The paired mention of these cities highlights the apostolic circuit established in this region. See G3082
• Ἰκόνιον (Iconium, pronounced ee-KOH-nee-on) – A principal city of Lycaonia that Paul visited before fleeing to Derbē and Lystra, demonstrating the apostolic pathway through southern Galatia. See G2430
• Λυκαονία (Lycaonia, pronounced ly-kah-OH-nee-ah) – The region containing Derbē, characterized by its distinct cultural and linguistic identity within Asia Minor. See G3071
• Γαλατικός (Galatikos, pronounced gah-lah-tee-KOSS) – Pertaining to Galatia, the Roman province that administratively included Derbē and surrounding areas during Paul’s time. See G1054
• Ἀντιόχεια (Antioch, pronounced an-tee-OH-khee-ah) – Referring to Pisidian Antioch, another city on Paul’s missionary circuit in the region, showing the interconnected nature of early Christian communities. See G490

Did You Know?

• Did you know that Gaius of Derbē, mentioned in Acts 20:4, became one of Paul’s traveling companions during his later journeys? This shows how a convert from this small frontier town ultimately played a role in the wider mission of the early church, accompanying Paul to Jerusalem with the collection for the poor. It demonstrates how Yahweh can use believers from seemingly insignificant places in His grand redemptive plan.
• Did you know that the exact location of ancient Derbē remained uncertain until relatively recently? Archaeologists debated its precise location for many years, with some placing it at Kerti Hüyük and others at Devri Şehri. Recent archaeological work has more confidently identified it with the site of Devri Şehri near the modern Turkish town of Ekinözü. This reminds us that even places significant in biblical history can be “lost” to human memory, yet their spiritual legacy continues through the text of Scripture.
• Did you know that Derbē was located on an important Roman road system connecting Ephesus on the Mediterranean coast with the Euphrates River? This positioning on a major trade route likely contributed to the spread of the gospel from this location to surrounding regions, as merchants and travelers who encountered the newly formed Christian community there would carry news of this faith to other areas. Yahweh strategically positioned the early church along communication networks that facilitated the spread of His message.

Remember This

Δέρβη stands as a testimony that God’s kingdom advances not through force or fanfare but through faithful proclamation in places both prominent and obscure, transforming lives and establishing communities of disciples who continue His mission to the ends of the earth.