Jump to: Hitchcock's • Smith's • ATS • ISBE • Easton's • Concordance • Thesaurus • Greek • Library • Subtopics • Terms Topical Encyclopedia Achaia is a significant region mentioned in the New Testament, known for its role in the early spread of Christianity. It was a Roman province located in the southern part of Greece, encompassing the Peloponnesian Peninsula and parts of central Greece. The capital of Achaia was Corinth, a major city known for its commerce and strategic location.Historical and Geographical Context In the Roman Empire, Achaia was an important province, established in 27 BC when Emperor Augustus reorganized the territories. It included notable cities such as Corinth, Athens, and Cenchreae. The region was known for its cultural and intellectual heritage, particularly Athens, which was a center of philosophy and learning. Biblical References Achaia is mentioned several times in the New Testament, primarily in the context of Paul's missionary journeys and the early Christian communities. 1. Acts 18:12 · "While Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews rose up together against Paul and brought him before the judgment seat." This passage highlights the political structure of Achaia, with Gallio serving as the proconsul. It also underscores the challenges faced by Paul in spreading the Gospel. 2. Romans 15:26 · "For Macedonia and Achaia were pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the saints in Jerusalem." Here, Achaia is noted for its generosity and support of the Jerusalem church, reflecting the interconnectedness of early Christian communities. 3. 1 Corinthians 16:15 · "You know that the household of Stephanas were the first converts in Achaia, and they have devoted themselves to the service of the saints." This verse indicates the early establishment of the church in Achaia and the dedication of its members to Christian service. 4. 2 Corinthians 1:1 · "Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, To the church of God in Corinth, together with all the saints throughout Achaia." This greeting from Paul emphasizes the presence of a broader Christian community in Achaia beyond Corinth. 5. 2 Corinthians 9:2 · "For I know your eagerness to help, and I have been boasting about it to the Macedonians, telling them that since last year you in Achaia were ready to give; and your zeal has stirred most of them to action." This passage again highlights the generosity and zeal of the Achaian believers. Theological Significance Achaia's mention in the New Testament underscores the spread of Christianity beyond the Jewish context into the Gentile world. The region's churches, particularly in Corinth, played a crucial role in the early church's development. The letters to the Corinthians address various theological and practical issues, providing insight into the life and challenges of the early Christian communities in Achaia. Cultural Influence The cultural backdrop of Achaia, with its Greek philosophical traditions, influenced the intellectual engagement of early Christians. Paul's interactions in cities like Athens, as recorded in Acts 17, demonstrate the encounter between the Gospel and Greek thought. Conclusion Achaia's role in the New Testament narrative highlights the dynamic spread of Christianity in the Roman world and the diverse challenges and contributions of its early believers. The region's churches, marked by their generosity and commitment, serve as a testament to the transformative power of the Gospel in diverse cultural settings. Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary AchaiaSmith's Bible Dictionary Achaia(trouble) signifies in the New Testament a Roman province which included the whole of the Peloponnesus and the greater part of Hellas proper, with the adjacent islands. This province, with that of Macedonia, comprehended the while of Greece; hence Achaia and Macedonia are frequently mentioned together in the New Testament to indicate all Greece. (Acts 18:12; 19:21; Romans 15:26; 16:5; 1 Corinthians 16:15; 2 Corinthians 7:5; 9:2; 11:10; 1 Thessalonians 1:7,8) In the time of the emperor Claudius it was governed by a proconsul, translated in the Authorized Version "deputy," of Achaia. (Acts 18:12) ATS Bible Dictionary AchaiaIs used in the New Testament for the whole region of Greece south of Macedonia, including the Peloponnesus, or Morea, and some territory north of the gulf of Corinth, Acts 18:12; 19:21; 1 1 Corinthians 11:10. Achaia Proper, however, was a province of Greece, of which Corinth was the capital, and embraced the northwestern part of the Pelopennesus. See GREECE. Easton's Bible Dictionary The name originally of a narrow strip of territory in Greece, on the north-west of the Peloponnesus. Subsequently it was applied by the Romans to the whole Peloponnesus, now called the Morea, and the south of Greece. It was then one of the two provinces (Macedonia being the other) into which they divided the country when it fell under their dominion. It is in this latter enlarged meaning that the name is always used in the New Testament (Acts 18:12, 27; 19:21; Romans 15:26; 16:5, etc.). It was at the time when Luke wrote the Acts of the Apostles under the proconsular form of government; hence the appropriate title given to Gallio as the "deputy," i.e., proconsul, of Achaia (Acts 18:12). International Standard Bible Encyclopedia ACHAIAa-ka'-ya (Achaia): The smallest country in the Peloponnesus lying along the southern shore of the Corinthian Gulf, north of Arcadia and east of Elis. The original inhabitants were Ionians, but these were crowded out later by the Acheans, who came from the East. According to Herodotus, the former founded twelve cities, many of which retain their original names to this day. These cities were on the coast and formed a confederation of smaller communities, which in the last century of the independent history of Greece attained to great importance (Achaean League). In Roman times the term Achaia was used to include the whole of Greece, exclusive of Thessaly. Today Achaia forms with Elis one district, and contains a population of nearly a quarter of a million. The old Achean League was renewed in 280 B.C., but became more important in 251, when Aratus of Sicyon was chosen commander-in-chief. This great man increased the power of the League and gave it an excellent constitution, which our own great practical politicians, Hamilton and Madison, consulted, adopting many of its prominent devices, when they set about framing the Constitution of the United States. In 146 B.C. Corinth was destroyed and the League broken up (see 1 Maccabees 15:23); and the whole of Greece, under the name of Achaia, was transformed into a Roman province, which was divided into two separate provinces, Macedonia and Achaia, in 27 B.C. Greek 882. Achaia -- Achaia, a Roman province incl. most of Greece ... 881, 882. Achaia. 883 . Achaia, a Roman province incl. most of Greece. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: Achaia Phonetic ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/882.htm - 6k 3533. Nikopolis -- "victorious city," Nicopolis, a city in Achaia 883. Achaikos -- "an Achaian," Achaicus, a Christian at Corinth 3109. Makedonia -- Macedonia, a region of Greece 2882. Korinthos -- Corinth, a city of Greece 1058. Gallion -- Gallio, proconsul of Asia Library On Bk. vi. Chap. 23, 4 (Note 6). Origen's visit to Achaia. Additional Note on Apol. C. Arianos, 50. 1 Thessalonians i. 10-Aug Rom. xvi. 5 The Epistles of Paul 2 Cor. I. 1, 4 Acts xviii. 18 The Spiced Wine of My Pomegranate; The Thessalonian Letters Rom. xv. 25-27 Thesaurus Achaia (11 Occurrences)... Acts of the Apostles under the proconsular form of government; hence the appropriate title given to Gallio as the "deputy," ie, proconsul, of Achaia (Acts 18:12 ... /a/achaia.htm - 13k Acha'ia (10 Occurrences) Gallio (3 Occurrences) Macedo'nia (20 Occurrences) Apollos (11 Occurrences) Epaenetus (1 Occurrence) Galatia (6 Occurrences) Corinth (13 Occurrences) Saints (117 Occurrences) Fruits (109 Occurrences) Resources What happened on Paul's third missionary journey? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the history and significance of the church in Corinth? | GotQuestions.org Who was Apollos? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Achaia (11 Occurrences)Acts 18:12 Acts 18:27 Acts 19:21 Romans 15:26 Romans 16:5 1 Corinthians 16:15 2 Corinthians 1:1 2 Corinthians 9:2 2 Corinthians 11:10 1 Thessalonians 1:7 1 Thessalonians 1:8 Subtopics Achaia: Benevolence of the Christians In Related Terms |
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