Sacred Assembly: τρίστεγον (Strong’s G5152: tristegon) Reveals Early Church

Strong’s G5152: A neuter noun meaning “third story” or “third floor,” tristegon appears in Acts describing the location of an early church gathering. The architectural detail provides insight into early Christian meeting places and community life.

U- Unveiling the Word

The Greek word τρίστεγον (tristegon) specifically refers to the third floor or story of a building. In the New Testament, it appears uniquely in Acts during Paul’s extended teaching at Troas, where a young man named Eutychus fell from this height. The word provides valuable historical insight into early Christian gathering places and the urban context of early church meetings. The early church fathers often referenced τρίστεγον when discussing church architecture and community gatherings. Today, this word continues to remind believers about the importance of Christian community and the historical reality of early church meetings in urban domestic settings.

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N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: τρίστεγον, tristegon, TREE-steh-gon
• Detailed pronunciation: τρί (TREE) + στε (steh) + γον (gon)
• Part of Speech: Noun

Etymology:

• Root: τρεῖς (treis) meaning “three”
• Root: στέγη (stege) meaning “roof/story”
• Combined meaning: “third story”

D – Defining Meanings

• Primary meaning: “third floor”
• Third story
• Upper level
• Highest floor

For compound words: The word combines tri- (three) with stegon (roof/story) to indicate the third level of a building

Translation Options:

1. “third story” – Most precise architectural meaning
2. “third floor” – Modern equivalent
3. “upper room” – Contextual translation

E – Exploring Similar Words

ὑπερῷον (hyperoon) [hoo-per-OH-on] – upper room – See G5253
δῶμα (doma) [DOH-mah] – housetop – See G1430
στέγη (stege) [STEH-gay] – roof – See G4721

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

• Case: Varies by usage
• Number: Singular
• Gender: Neuter
• Declension: Second

Greek nouns change form based on their function:

• Nominative: τρίστεγον (subject)
• Genitive: τριστέγου (possession)
• Dative: τριστέγῳ (indirect object)
• Accusative: τρίστεγον (direct object)

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

Major lexicons provide insight into τρίστεγον’s significance. BDAG emphasizes its architectural precision and urban context. Thayer’s lexicon traces its compound formation and specific application to multi-story buildings. LSJ documents its use in classical Greek architecture and urban planning. Vine’s expands on its significance in Acts, particularly regarding early Christian meeting places. Strong’s confirms its basic meaning while LEH adds context from Septuagint usage. Moulton and Milligan’s papyrological evidence shows its use in property documents and architectural descriptions.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First appearance:

“Seated in a window was a young man named Eutychus, who was sinking into a deep sleep as Paul talked on and on. When he was sound asleep, he fell to the ground from the third story [τριστέγου] and was picked up dead.” Acts 20:9

Additional References:
This is the only occurrence of τρίστεγον in the New Testament.

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

The word τρίστεγον provides a vivid glimpse into early Christian community life and worship. Its appearance in Acts reveals how the early church adapted urban spaces for fellowship and teaching. Through this architectural detail, we see the gospel’s power to transform ordinary places into sacred spaces of worship and miraculous intervention. The word reminds us that God’s work often happens in everyday settings, and that authentic community can flourish wherever believers gather in the Messiah’s name.

D – Did You Know?

1. Three-story buildings were considered substantial structures in ancient cities
2. Upper floors were often used for private gatherings in Roman times
3. Early church archaeological sites confirm the use of upper stories for meetings

Strong’s G5152: A neuter noun meaning “third story” or “third floor,” tristegon appears in Acts describing the location of an early church gathering. The architectural detail provides insight into early Christian meeting places and community life.

Part of speech: Noun

Tags: third story, architecture, early church, urban life, gathering places, Acts, biblical Greek, New Testament Greek, Koine Greek, church history, community, worship​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​