Cilicia is a region of significant historical and biblical importance, located in the southeastern part of Asia Minor, which is modern-day Turkey. It is bordered by the Taurus Mountains to the north and the Mediterranean Sea to the south. The region is known for its fertile plains and strategic coastal position, which made it a vital area for trade and military endeavors throughout ancient history.

Biblical References and Significance

Cilicia is mentioned several times in the New Testament, primarily in connection with the Apostle Paul. Paul, originally named Saul, was born in Tarsus, a prominent city in Cilicia. This is noted in Acts 21:39, where Paul states, "I am a Jew, from Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no ordinary city." Tarsus was a center of learning and culture, which likely influenced Paul's education and ability to engage with diverse audiences during his missionary journeys.

The region of Cilicia is also referenced in Acts 6:9, where it is mentioned in the context of the Synagogue of the Freedmen, which included Jews from Cilicia who disputed with Stephen, the first Christian martyr. This indicates the presence of a significant Jewish community in Cilicia during the first century.

In Acts 15:23, Cilicia is mentioned in the letter sent by the apostles and elders in Jerusalem to the Gentile believers, addressing the issue of circumcision and the observance of the Mosaic Law. The letter was addressed to the churches in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia, highlighting the early spread of Christianity in the region.

Historical Context

Cilicia's history is marked by its interactions with various empires and peoples. It was part of the Hittite Empire and later came under the control of the Assyrians, Persians, and Greeks. During the Roman period, Cilicia became a Roman province, which facilitated the spread of Christianity. The Roman road system and the region's ports enabled the movement of people and ideas, contributing to the dissemination of the Gospel.

The region's strategic importance is further underscored by its role in the Roman military and administrative systems. Cilicia was known for its production of cilicium, a type of goat's hair cloth used for making tents, which is notably connected to Paul's trade as a tentmaker (Acts 18:3).

Cultural and Religious Influence

Cilicia's diverse population included Greeks, Romans, Jews, and indigenous peoples, creating a melting pot of cultural and religious influences. This diversity is reflected in the early Christian church's efforts to address the challenges of integrating Gentile believers, as seen in the Jerusalem Council's letter to the churches in Cilicia.

The region's intellectual and cultural environment, particularly in Tarsus, provided a backdrop for Paul's theological development and his ability to articulate the Christian faith to both Jewish and Gentile audiences. His background in Cilicia equipped him with the skills necessary to navigate the complex cultural and religious landscape of the Roman Empire.

In summary, Cilicia holds a notable place in biblical history as the birthplace of the Apostle Paul and as a region where early Christianity took root and flourished. Its strategic location and cultural diversity played a crucial role in the spread of the Gospel during the formative years of the Christian church.Cilicia

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Cilicia

(the land of Celix), a maritime province int he southeast of Asia Minor, bordering on Pamphylia in the west, Lycaonia and Cappadocia in the north, and Syria in the east. (Acts 6:9) Cilicia was from its geographical position the high road between Syria and the west; it was also the native country of St. Paul, hence it was visited by him, firstly, soon after his conversion, (Acts 9:30; Galatians 1:21) and again in his second apostolical journey. (Acts 15:41)

Cilicia

The south-eastern province of Asia Minor, bounded north by the Taurus range, separating it from Cappadocia, Lycaonia, and Isauria, south by the Mediterranean, east by Syria, and west by Pamphylia. The western part had the appellation of Aspera, or rough; while the eastern was called Campestris, or level. This country was the province of Cicero when proconsul; and its chief town, Tarsus, was the birthplace of the apostle Paul, Acts 6:9. Many Jews dwelt in Cilicia, and maintained frequent intercourse with Jerusalem, where they joined the other Jews in opposing the progress of Christianity. Paul himself may have taken part in the public discussion with Stephen, Acts 6:9 7:58. After his conversion he visited his native province, Acts 9:30 Galatians 1:21, and established churches, which were addressed in the letter of the council at Jerusalem, Acts 15:23. The apostle once afterwards made a missionary tour among these churches, his heart yearning to behold and to increase their prosperity, Acts 15:36,41.

A maritime province in the south-east of Asia Minor. Tarsus, the birth-place of Paul, was one of its chief towns, and the seat of a celebrated school of philosophy. Its luxurious climate attracted to it many Greek residents after its incorporation with the Macedonian empire. It was formed into a Roman province, B.C. 67. The Jews of Cilicia had a synagogue at Jerusalem (Acts 6:9). Paul visited it soon after his conversion (Galatians 1:21; Acts 9:30), and again, on his second missionary journey (15:41), "he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches." It was famous for its goat's-hair cloth, called cilicium. Paul learned in his youth the trade of making tents of this cloth. CILICIA

si-lish'-i-a (he Kilikia): An important province at the Southeast angle of Asia Minor, corresponding nearly with the modern Turkish vilayet of Adana; enfolded between the Taurus mountains and the Mediterranean Sea, with the Amanus range on the East and Pamphylia on the West; chief rivers, the Pyramus, Sarus, Cydnus and Calycadnus. The character of Cilician history has been largely determined by the physical features of the province. It is divided by nature into a mountainous part to the West, called Tracheia, and a broad, alluvial plain, hot and fertile, toward the East, termed Campestris or Pedias. Cilicia has always been isolated from its neighbors by land by its encircling mountains, save for its two famous mountain passes, the "Syrian Gates," which offer an easy road to Antioch and the South, and the wonderful "Cilician Gates," which open a road to central and western Asia Minor. Through these passes the armies and the pilgrims, the trade and the travel of the centuries have made their way. Alexander was one of the most renowned leaders of such expeditions, and at Issus he met and shattered the power of the Persian empire.

The early settlers of Cilicia are held to have been Semitic Syrians and Phoenicians, but in the still earlier days the inhabitants must have been Hittites. While few Hittite remains have been brought to light in Cilicia proper, the province was so surrounded by Hittites, and such important works of Hittite art and industry remain on the outskirts of the province, as at Ivriz, Marash, Sinjirli and Sakche Geuzi, that the intervening territory could hardly fail to be overspread with the same civilization and imperial power. See Professor John Garstang's The Land of the Hittites.

Cilicia appears as independent under Syennesis, a contemporary of Alyattes of Lydia, 610 B.C. Later it passed under the Persian sway, but retained its separate line of kings. After Alexander the Seleucid rulers governed Cilicia from Antioch. The disturbances of the times enabled the pirates so to multiply and establish themselves in their home base, in Cilicia, Tracheia, that they became the scourge of the Mediterranean until their power was broken by Pompey (67-66 B.C.). Cilicia was by degrees incorporated in the Roman administration, and Cicero, the orator, was governor (51-50 B.C.).

The foremost citizen of the province was Saul of Tarsus (Acts 21:39; Acts 22:3; Acts 23:34). Students or pilgrims from Cilicia like himself disputed with Stephen (Acts 6:9). Some of the earliest labors of the great apostle were near his home, in Syria and Cilicia (Galatians 1:21 Acts 15:23, 11). On his voyage to Rome he sailed across the sea which is off Cilicia (Acts 27:5). Constantinople and Antioch may be regarded as the front and back door of Asia Minor, and as the former was not founded till the 4th century, Asia Minor may be regarded as fronting during apostolic days on Antioch. Cilicia was intimately connected with its neighbor province on the South. The first Christian apostles and evangelists followed the great highways, through the famous mountain passes, and carried the religion of Jesus to Asia Minor from Antioch as a base.

Armenians migrating from the North founded kingdom in Cilicia under Roupen which was terminated by the overthrow of King Levon, or Leo, by the conquering Turks in 1393. A remnant of this kingdom survives in the separate Armenian catholicate of Sis, which has jurisdiction over few bishoprics, and Armenians are among the most virile of the present inhabitants of the province.

G. E. White

2791. Kilikia -- Cilicia, a province of Asia Minor
... Cilicia, a province of Asia Minor. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration:
Kilikia Phonetic Spelling: (kil-ik-ee'-ah) Short Definition: Cilicia ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2791.htm - 6k

5019. Tarsos -- Tarsus, a city of Cilicia
... Tarsus, a city of Cilicia. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: Tarsos
Phonetic Spelling: (tar-sos') Short Definition: Tarsus Definition: Tarsus, the ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5019.htm - 6k

3794. ochuroma -- a stronghold, fortress
... In its use here there may lie a reminiscence of the rock-forts on the coast of Paul's
native Cilicia, which were pulled down by the Romans in their attacks on ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3794.htm - 7k

5018. Tarseus -- of Tarsus
... 5018 -- , the leading city in ancient Cilicia (a province between Syria and Asia
Minor), located about 10 miles inland from the coast of present-day Turkey. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5018.htm - 7k

4947. Suria -- Syria, a region N. and East of Pal.
... Feminine Transliteration: Suria Phonetic Spelling: (soo-ree'-ah) Short Definition:
Syria Definition: Syria, a great Roman imperial province, united with Cilicia ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4947.htm - 6k

6961b. Qoveh -- an area in Cilicia
Qoveh or Qove. 6961a, 6961b. Qoveh or Qove. 6962 . an area in Cilicia.
Transliteration: Qoveh or Qove Short Definition: Kue. Word ...
/hebrew/6961b.htm - 5k

To the Bishops of Cilicia.
... Letters of the Blessed Theodoret, LXXXIV. To the Bishops of Cilicia. Your
piety has heard of the calumnies directed against me. ...
/.../theodoret/the ecclesiastical history of theodoret/lxxxiv to the bishops of.htm

Concerning Martyrius of Cilicia. Translation of the Remains of St. ...
... Book VII. Chapter X."Concerning Martyrius of Cilicia. Translation of the Remains
of St. Paul the Confessor, and of Meletius, Bishop of Antioch. ...
/.../chapter x concerning martyrius of cilicia.htm

Councils of Sicily and of Tyana. The Synod which was Expected to ...
... Chapter XII."Councils of Sicily and of Tyana. The Synod which was expected to be
held in Cilicia is dissolved by Valens. The Persecution at that Time. ...
/.../the ecclesiastical history of sozomenus/chapter xii councils of sicily and.htm

Cli. Letter or Address of Theodoret to the Monks of the ...
... Letters of the Blessed Theodoret, CLI. Letter or Address of Theodoret to the Monks
of the Euphratensian, the Osrhoene, Syria, Phoenicia, and Cilicia. ...
/.../theodoret/the ecclesiastical history of theodoret/cli letter or address of.htm

Acts xxi. 39, 40
... "But Paul said, I am a man which am a Jew of Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, a citizen
of no mean city: and I beseech thee, suffer me to speak unto the people. ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xlvii acts xxi 39.htm

General Council of Nic??a.
... of Ephesus, Patrophilus, bishop of Scythopolis, Theognis, bishop of Nic??a, and
Narcissus, bishop of Neronias, which is a town of the second Cilicia, and is ...
/.../chapter vi general council of nicaea.htm

The Power of Assyria at Its Zenith; Esarhaddon and Assur-Bani-Pal
... of Sennacherib and accession of Esarhaddon: defeat of Sharezer (681 BC)"Campaigns
against the Kaldd, the Cimmerians, the tribes of Cilicia, and against Sidon ...
/.../chapter iithe power of assyria.htm

Early Life the Place of Paul +The Man
... He says, in making a speech to the Jews, "I am verily a man which am a Jew, born
in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia" (Acts 22:3). This city was the capital of ...
/.../sell/bible studies in the life of paul/study i early life the.htm

Second Missionary Journey
... The first journey was through Cyprus, where Barnabas was well acquainted, and through
that section of Asia Minor roundabout the province of Cilicia, where Paul ...
/.../sell/bible studies in the life of paul/study iv second missionary journey.htm

The Essential Unity of the Kingdom.
... this manner: "The Apostles and Elders and Brethren send greeting unto the Brethren
which are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia." Then after ...
/.../burbidge/the kingdom of heaven what is it/chapter viii the essential unity.htm

Cilicia (8 Occurrences)
... The Jews of Cilicia had a synagogue at Jerusalem (Acts 6:9). Paul visited it soon
after his conversion (Galatians 1:21; Acts 9:30), and again, on his second ...
/c/cilicia.htm - 13k

Cili'cia (8 Occurrences)
Cili'cia. Cilicia, Cili'cia. Cilicians . Multi-Version Concordance ... Acts 15:41
and he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the assemblies. (See RSV). ...
/c/cili'cia.htm - 8k

Derbe (4 Occurrences)
... Paul passed through Derbe on his route from Cilicia to Iconium, on his second
missionary journey (Acts 16:1), and probably also on his third journey (18:23; 19 ...
/d/derbe.htm - 15k

Libertines (1 Occurrence)
... of them that were of the synagogue called (the synagogue) of the Libertines, and
of the Cyrenians, and of the Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and Asia ...
/l/libertines.htm - 11k

Caphtor (4 Occurrences)
... this theory. 3. Third Theory: Cilicia: A third theory would identify Caphtor
with the Kafto of the Egyptian inscriptions. As early ...
/c/caphtor.htm - 11k

Caphtorim (3 Occurrences)
... this theory. 3. Third Theory: Cilicia: A third theory would identify Caphtor
with the Kafto of the Egyptian inscriptions. As early ...
/c/caphtorim.htm - 10k

Tarsus (5 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary The chief city of Cilicia. It was distinguished
for its wealth and for its schools of learning, in which ...
/t/tarsus.htm - 30k

Cyprus (12 Occurrences)
... CYPRUS. si'-prus (Kupros): 1. Name: An island situated near the Northeast corner
of the Levant, in an angle formed by the coasts of Cilicia and Syria. ...
/c/cyprus.htm - 27k

Letter (112 Occurrences)
... by them after this manner; The apostles and elders and brethren send greeting unto
the brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia. ...
/l/letter.htm - 40k

Mediterranean
... Similarly, the King James Version "the sea of Cilicia and Pamphylia" (Acts 27:5)
is better rendered "the sea which is off Cilicia and Pamphylia" (Revised ...
/m/mediterranean.htm - 11k

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