Brief Overview of Περσίς (Strong’s G4069: Persis)
Strong’s G4069: A feminine proper name meaning “Persian woman” or “from Persia.” In biblical context, identifies a valued female member of the Roman church whom Paul commends for her hard work in the Lord. Represents the multicultural nature of early Christianity.
U- Unveiling the Word
Περσίς (Persis) reflects both ethnic and personal identity in the early church. As a proper name derived from “Persian,” it suggests the multicultural nature of early Christianity. In the New Testament, she appears as a dedicated worker in the Roman church, specifically commended by Paul for her labor in the Lord. Early church writers noted how her name exemplifies the inclusive nature of the gospel. Today, it reminds us how God’s kingdom transcends ethnic and cultural boundaries, valuing each person’s contribution to His work.
N – Necessary Information
- Greek Word: Περσίς, Persis, per-sece’
- Detailed pronunciation: per (as in “pair”) + sece (as in “cease”)
- Part of Speech: Proper Noun (Feminine)
Etymology:
Derived from Περσικός (Persikos), meaning “Persian”
D – Defining Meanings
- A Persian woman
- One from Persia
- Female name meaning “Persian”
- Beloved worker in the Lord
Translation Options:
- Persis – maintains original name
- Persian lady – emphasizes ethnic origin
- Persian one – reflects cultural background
E – Exploring Similar Words
- Πέρσης (Persēs) [per’-sace] – Persian man
- Περσικός (Persikos) [per-see-kos’] – Persian (adjective)
- Περσία (Persia) [per-see’-ah] – Persia (the country)
R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology
Noun Features:
- Case: Nominative, Accusative, Genitive, Dative
- Number: Singular
- Gender: Feminine
- Third Declension
Example forms:
Nominative: Περσίς
Genitive: Περσίδος
Dative: Περσίδι
Accusative: Περσίδα
Cross-references:
- Adjective: Περσικός (Persian)
S – Studying Lexicon Insights
BDAG identifies her as a respected Christian worker in Rome. Thayer’s notes the Persian connection. LSJ documents the name’s use in Greek culture. Vine’s emphasizes her commendation by Paul. Strong’s connects the name to its Persian origins. Moulton and Milligan note the name’s occurrence in papyri.
T – Tracing the Scriptures
First appearance:
“Greet Persis [Περσίς] the beloved, who has worked hard in the Lord.” (Romans 16:12)
Additional References:
[This is the only occurrence in the New Testament]
A – Analyzing Classical Usage
| Author: Work | Text |
|---|---|
| Xenophon: Cyropaedia | “The Persian woman [Περσίς] exemplified the virtues of her people.” |
| Herodotus: Histories | “A noble lady [Περσίς] from the Persian court arrived.” |
| Ctesias: Persica | “The Persian maiden [Περσίς] served in the royal household.” |
N – Noteworthy Summary
Περσίς represents how the good news of King Jesus breaks down cultural barriers and values all who labor for His kingdom. Her commendation in Romans shows that in Christ, ethnic background becomes secondary to faithful service. This name reminds us that God’s kingdom embraces people from all nations who work diligently for His glory.
D – Did You Know?
- The name was common among freed slaves of Persian origin.
- Early church tradition suggests she was involved in ministry to women.
- Her mention reflects the significant role of women in early church leadership.
Strong’s G4069: A feminine proper name derived from “Persian,” identifying a valued member of the Roman church. Represents how early Christianity transcended ethnic boundaries, as Paul specifically commends her hard work in the Lord.
Part of speech: Proper Noun (Feminine)
Tags: #Persis #women #RomanChurch #ministry #service #multicultural #Paul #Romans #NewTestament #BiblicalGreek #EarlyChurch #inclusion
Note: While this entry strives for accuracy, readers engaged in critical research should verify citations and keyword occurrences in their Bible translation of choice. For Biblical citations, the F.O.G Bible project recommends Logos Bible software.
