Brief Overview of πάροικος (Strong’s G3941: paroikos)

Strong’s G3941: A compound noun combining παρά (beside) with οἶκος (house), meaning “resident alien, sojourner, temporary dweller.” Used to describe both Israel’s historical experience as aliens and the Christian’s spiritual status as temporary residents on earth. Emphasizes non-citizen status and temporary nature of earthly dwelling.

U- Unveiling the Word

πάροικος represents someone who dwells in a place without citizenship rights or permanent status. In Acts, it describes Israel’s historical experience in Egypt, while Peter applies it to Christians’ spiritual status. The compound structure emphasizes dwelling alongside but not belonging. Early church fathers extensively used this term to develop theology of Christian identity as heavenly citizens temporarily residing on earth. Today, it informs Christian understanding of cultural engagement and spiritual citizenship.

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N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: πάροικος, paroikos, /PAR-oy-kos/
• Detailed pronunciation: PAR (stressed) + oy (as in ‘boy’) + kos (as in ‘cost’)
• Part of Speech: Noun/Adjective

Etymology:

• παρα- (para-): beside
• οἶκος (oikos): house
• -ος (-os): noun/adjective ending

D – Defining Meanings

• Resident alien
• Sojourner
• Temporary dweller

For compound words:
παρα- combines with οἶκος to describe someone who dwells beside or among others without full belonging

Translation Options:

• “Resident alien” – emphasizes legal status
• “Sojourner” – captures temporary nature
• “Stranger” – emphasizes outsider status

E – Exploring Similar Words

• ξένος (xenos) /KSEN-os/ – stranger, more general term
• μέτοικος (metoikos) /MET-oy-kos/ – immigrant
• παρεπίδημος (parepidēmos) /par-ep-ID-ay-mos/ – temporary resident

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

As a noun/adjective, πάροικος exhibits:

• Case: Nominative, Genitive, Dative, Accusative
• Number: Singular, Plural
• Gender: Masculine, Feminine
• Declension: 2nd

Examples:
πάροικος (nom. sing.)
παροίκου (gen. sing.)
πάροικοι (nom. pl.)

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

BDAG emphasizes both literal and metaphorical displacement. Thayer’s notes its social-legal implications. LSJ documents extensive secular usage. Vine’s highlights its spiritual applications. Moulton and Milligan note frequent usage in legal documents.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First appearance:
“And God spoke to this effect—that his offspring would be [πάροικος] sojourners in a land belonging to others” (Acts 7:6)

Additional References:
Acts 7:29, Ephesians 2:19, 1 Peter 2:11

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

πάροικος encompasses both historical experiences of displacement and theological understanding of Christian identity as temporary residents awaiting heavenly citizenship.

D – Did You Know?

• The term had specific legal meaning in ancient Greek cities
• It influenced early Christian self-understanding as “aliens and strangers”
• The word appears frequently in the Septuagint describing Israel’s sojourns

[Lexicon Summary]
A compound noun combining παρά (beside) with οἶκος (house), meaning “resident alien, sojourner, temporary dweller.” Used to describe both Israel’s historical experience as aliens and the Christian’s spiritual status as temporary residents on earth. Emphasizes non-citizen status and temporary nature of earthly dwelling.

Part of speech: Noun/Adjective

Tags: #noun #adjective #sojourner #alien #citizenship #israel #christian_identity #compound_word #biblical_greek #new_testament​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​