The term "chiliarch" is derived from the Greek word "χιλίαρχος" (chiliarchos), which translates to "commander of a thousand." In the context of the Bible, a chiliarch was a military officer in charge of a thousand soldiers, akin to a modern-day colonel or a high-ranking officer. This term is primarily used in the New Testament to describe Roman military officials.

Biblical References:

1. Acts 21:31-33 : The role of a chiliarch is prominently featured in the account of the Apostle Paul's arrest in Jerusalem. As the city was in an uproar due to accusations against Paul, the Roman commander, or chiliarch, intervened to prevent a riot. "While they were trying to kill him, the commander of the Roman regiment received a report that all Jerusalem was in turmoil. Immediately he took some officers and soldiers and ran down to the crowd. When the rioters saw the commander and his soldiers, they stopped beating Paul. The commander came up and arrested him and ordered that he be bound with two chains. Then he asked who he was and what he had done."

2. Acts 22:24 : The chiliarch's authority is further demonstrated when he orders Paul to be brought into the barracks for questioning. "The commander ordered that Paul be brought into the barracks. He directed that he be flogged and interrogated in order to determine the reason for this outcry against him."

3. Acts 23:10 : The chiliarch's responsibility for maintaining order and protecting Roman citizens is evident when he rescues Paul from a violent dispute. "The dispute became so violent that the commander was afraid Paul would be torn to pieces by them. He ordered the troops to go down and take him away from them by force and bring him into the barracks."

4. Acts 24:7 : The chiliarch is mentioned in the context of the legal proceedings against Paul, highlighting the Roman legal system's involvement. "But Lysias the commander came with great force and took him out of our hands."

Historical Context:

In the Roman military hierarchy, a chiliarch was a significant figure, often responsible for the administration and discipline of the troops under his command. The presence of chiliarchs in the New Testament narrative underscores the Roman Empire's pervasive influence and the complex political environment in which early Christians operated. The chiliarchs played a crucial role in maintaining order and executing Roman law, which sometimes intersected with the spread of the Gospel and the activities of the early Church.

Theological Implications:

The interactions between chiliarchs and early Christians, particularly the Apostle Paul, illustrate the tension between the nascent Christian movement and the established Roman authority. These encounters highlight the providence of God in using even Roman officials to protect His servants and further His purposes. The chiliarchs, while representatives of a pagan empire, inadvertently contributed to the spread of Christianity by ensuring the safety and legal rights of its proponents, as seen in Paul's missionary journeys and eventual appeal to Caesar.

Conclusion:

The role of chiliarchs in the New Testament serves as a reminder of the complex interplay between divine sovereignty and human authority. Their presence in the biblical narrative provides insight into the historical and political backdrop of the early Church, demonstrating how God can use secular powers to accomplish His divine will.

Enterprise of Gainas, the Gothic Barbarian. Evils which He ...
... in view, he sent for his countrymen, the Goths, from their own homes to come to
the Roman territories, and appointed his relatives to be tribunes and chiliarchs ...
/.../the ecclesiastical history of sozomenus/chapter iv enterprise of gainas the.htm

Maximinus C??sar Having Come at that Time into the Government...
... by command of the governor, the heralds were summoning men, women, and children
to the temples of the idols, and besides this, the chiliarchs were calling out ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter iv maximinus caesar having.htm

Acts XXV
... 23-27. (23) "On the next day, therefore, Agrippa and Bernice having come with much
pomp, and entered into the audience-chamber, with the chiliarchs and the ...
/.../mcgarvey/a commentary on acts of the apostles/acts xxv.htm

Matt. xxvi. 6, 7
... [2910] Luke 22:4. [The explanation is untenable. The "captains" (stratego) were
not "chiliarchs," but the officers of the temple guard; comp. ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily lxxx matt xxvi 6.htm

Chiliarchs (4 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Chiliarchs (4 Occurrences). Mark 6:21 And a holiday
being come, when Herod, on his birthday, made a supper ...
/c/chiliarchs.htm - 7k

Chiliarch (17 Occurrences)

/c/chiliarch.htm - 11k

Chilion (3 Occurrences)

/c/chilion.htm - 8k

Jeconias
... jek-o-ni-as (Iechonias): (1) One of the chiliarchs who made great gifts of sheep
and calves at the Passover of Josiah (1 Esdras 1:9); called "Conaniah" in 2 ...
/j/jeconias.htm - 6k

Grandees (1 Occurrence)
... Mark 6:21 And a holiday being come, when Herod, on his birthday, made a supper to
his grandees, and to the chiliarchs, and the chief men of Galilee; (DBY). ...
/g/grandees.htm - 6k

Distinction (14 Occurrences)
... Acts 25:23 On the morrow therefore, Agrippa being come, and Bernice, with great
pomp, and having entered into the hall of audience, with the chiliarchs and the ...
/d/distinction.htm - 11k

Audience (17 Occurrences)
... Acts 25:23 On the morrow therefore, Agrippa being come, and Bernice, with great
pomp, and having entered into the hall of audience, with the chiliarchs and the ...
/a/audience.htm - 13k

Holiday (5 Occurrences)
... Mark 6:21 And a holiday being come, when Herod, on his birthday, made a supper to
his grandees, and to the chiliarchs, and the chief men of Galilee; (DBY). ...
/h/holiday.htm - 8k

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