Brief Overview of πόλις (Strong’s G4172: polis)

Strong’s G4172: A noun meaning “city,” referring to a walled urban center with its own governance structure. In the New Testament, it represents both literal cities and metaphorically, the heavenly city. The term connotes civilization, community, and organized society under established authority.

U- Unveiling the Word

Πόλις represents more than just a physical city; it embodies the concept of organized human community with political, social, and religious structures. In the New Testament, it appears in both literal descriptions of cities where the gospel spread and metaphorically as the heavenly Jerusalem. The early church understood this term as representing both their earthly mission field and their ultimate heavenly dwelling. Today, it helps us understand both our role in urban ministry and our citizenship in God’s eternal city.

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N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: πόλις, polis, /pol’-is/
• Detailed Pronunciation: p (plosive) + ol (syllable) + is (final syllable)
• Part of Speech: Noun

Etymology:

• Root: πολ- (pol-) primitive root indicating gathering
• Suffix: -ις (-is) nominal ending
• Function: Forms a noun indicating an organized community center

D – Defining Meanings

• City
• Town
• Urban center
• Municipality
• Community with governance

Translation Options:

• City – Best captures the urban aspect
• Municipality – Emphasizes governance aspect
• Town – Highlights community aspect

E – Exploring Similar Words

• κώμη (kōmē) /ko’-may/ – refers to a village – See G2968
• ἄστυ (asty) /as’-too/ – refers to a city center – See G824
• πολίτευμα (politeuma) /pol-it’-yoo-mah/ – refers to citizenship – See G4175

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

• Case: Nominative, Genitive, Dative, Accusative
• Number: Singular, Plural
• Gender: Feminine
• Declension: 3rd declension

Examples:
Singular:

• Nominative: πόλις
• Genitive: πόλεως
• Dative: πόλει
• Accusative: πόλιν

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

BDAG emphasizes both physical and metaphorical meanings. Thayer’s notes its political implications. LSJ traces its development in Greek civilization. Vine’s highlights its spiritual applications. Strong’s connects it to organized society. LEH discusses its Septuagint usage. Moulton and Milligan document its administrative usage.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First Appearance:
Matthew 2:23: “And he went and lived in a city [πόλιν] called Nazareth, so that what was spoken by the prophets might be fulfilled, that he would be called a Nazarene.”

Additional References:
Matthew 5:14, Luke 2:4, Hebrews 11:10, Hebrews 11:16, Revelation 21:2

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

Πόλις reminds us that while we live in earthly cities, we are ultimately citizens of God’s heavenly city. It proclaims the good news that through Christ, we belong to an eternal city whose builder and maker is God.

D – Did You Know?

1. Πόλις appears 163 times in the New Testament
2. It gives us many English words including “politics” and “police”
3. The concept heavily influenced early Christian urban ministry

Strong’s G4172: A noun meaning “city,” referring to a walled urban center with its own governance structure. In the New Testament, it represents both literal cities and metaphorically, the heavenly city. The term connotes civilization, community, and organized society under established authority.

Part of speech: Noun

Tags: city, urban, community, governance, heavenly Jerusalem, civilization, municipality, Biblical Greek, New Testament terminology, urban ministry, eternal city, civic life​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​