The term "Phrygian" refers to the people, culture, and region of Phrygia, an ancient district in the west-central part of Anatolia, modern-day Turkey. Phrygia is mentioned in the New Testament, particularly in the context of the early Christian church and the missionary journeys of the Apostle Paul.

Geographical Context

Phrygia was a significant region in Asia Minor, bordered by Bithynia to the north, Galatia to the east, Lycia and Pisidia to the south, and Lydia to the west. The region was known for its varied terrain, including fertile plains and mountainous areas. The Phrygians were an Indo-European people who settled in the area around the 12th century BC.

Cultural and Historical Background

Phrygia was renowned for its rich cultural heritage, including its contributions to music, mythology, and art. The Phrygians were known for their distinctive style of music, which was considered exotic and emotional by the Greeks. The legendary King Midas, famous for his "golden touch," is one of the most well-known figures associated with Phrygia.

In the Hellenistic period, Phrygia came under the influence of various empires, including the Persian, Macedonian, and Roman Empires. The region was eventually incorporated into the Roman province of Asia.

Biblical References

Phrygia is mentioned in the New Testament in the context of the spread of Christianity. In Acts 2:10, Phrygians are listed among the diverse groups present in Jerusalem during the Feast of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit descended upon the apostles: "Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome" . This indicates that there were Jewish inhabitants or proselytes from Phrygia who witnessed the miraculous events of Pentecost and heard the apostles speaking in their own languages.

The Apostle Paul traveled through Phrygia during his missionary journeys. In Acts 16:6, it is recorded that Paul and his companions were "kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia," which included Phrygia. Later, in Acts 18:23, Paul is described as traveling "from place to place throughout the region of Galatia and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples" . This highlights the presence of early Christian communities in Phrygia and Paul's role in nurturing their faith.

Religious Significance

Phrygia played a role in the early spread of Christianity, as evidenced by the presence of believers and the apostolic efforts to strengthen the church in the region. The mention of Phrygians at Pentecost suggests that the message of the Gospel reached this area early on, contributing to the diverse and multicultural nature of the early Christian church.

The region's inclusion in the biblical narrative underscores the universality of the Gospel message and the fulfillment of the Great Commission, as the apostles and early Christians spread the teachings of Jesus Christ to all corners of the known world, including Phrygia.1. (a.) Of or pertaining to Phrygia, or to its inhabitants.

2. (n.) A native or inhabitant of Phrygia.

3. (n.) A Montanist.

2430. Ikonion -- Iconium, a city of Galatia
... Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration: Ikonion Phonetic Spelling:
(ee-kon'-ee-on) Short Definition: Iconium Definition: Iconium, a Phrygian city of ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2430.htm - 6k

5435. Phrugia -- Phrygia, a region of Asia Minor
... Word Origin probably of foreign origin Definition Phrygia, a region of Asia
Minor NASB Word Usage Phrygia (2), Phrygian (1). Phrygia. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5435.htm - 6k

That the Inventors of Other Arts were Mostly Barbarians.
... It is said that the crooked pipe was invented by Satyrus the Phrygian; likewise
also diatonic harmony by Hyagnis, a Phrygian too; and notes by Olympus, a ...
/.../clement/the stromata or miscellanies/chapter xvi that the inventors of.htm

The Design and Unity of Luke's History
... central Asia Minor plunged the reader into the heart of the conflict between
Graeco-Roman forms of life and the amorphous barbarism of a Phrygian and Lycaonian ...
/.../ramsay/was christ born in bethlehem/chapter 2 the design and.htm

Introduction
... One of these volunteers, named Quintus, is described as a "Phrygian." It has been
suggested that he was possibly known to the church in Philomelium, and that ...
//christianbookshelf.org/richardson/early christian fathers/introduction 4.htm

Naasseni Ascribe their System, through Mariamne, to James the ...
... to Thomas;" Assyrian Theory of the Soul; The Systems of the Naasseni and the Assyrians
Compared; Support Drawn by the Naasseni from the Phrygian and Egyptian ...
/.../the refutation of all heresies/chapter ii naasseni ascribe their system.htm

Exhortation to the Heathen
... [7]. As Eusebius informs us, the charismata were not extinct in the churches
when the Phrygian imitations began to puzzle the faithful. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/clement/exhortation to the heathen/title page.htm

The Instructor. (P??dagogus.)
... [7]. As Eusebius informs us, the charismata were not extinct in the churches
when the Phrygian imitations began to puzzle the faithful. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/clement/the instructor paedagogus/title page.htm

A Plea for the Christians
... [7]. As Eusebius informs us, the charismata were not extinct in the churches
when the Phrygian imitations began to puzzle the faithful. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/athenagoras/a plea for the christians/title page.htm

Tatian's Address to the Greeks
... [7]. As Eusebius informs us, the charismata were not extinct in the churches
when the Phrygian imitations began to puzzle the faithful. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tatian/tatians address to the greeks/title page.htm

Theophilus to Autolycus
... [7]. As Eusebius informs us, the charismata were not extinct in the churches
when the Phrygian imitations began to puzzle the faithful. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/theophilus/theophilus to autolycus/title page.htm

The Pastor: Books First, Second, Third
... [7]. As Eusebius informs us, the charismata were not extinct in the churches
when the Phrygian imitations began to puzzle the faithful. ...
/.../pastor/the pastor books first second third/title page.htm

Phrygian (1 Occurrence)
... inhabitants. 2. (n.) A native or inhabitant of Phrygia. 3. (n.) A Montanist.
Multi-Version Concordance Phrygian (1 Occurrence). Acts ...
/p/phrygian.htm - 6k

Iconium (6 Occurrences)
... Other ancient authorities who knew the local conditions well speak of Iconium
as Phrygian until far into the Roman imperial period. ...
/i/iconium.htm - 12k

Pisidia (2 Occurrences)
... But there must have been a Phrygian fortress at or near Antioch when the Phrygian
kings were at the height of their power. The natural ...
/p/pisidia.htm - 21k

Antioch (21 Occurrences)
... But there must have been a Phrygian fortress at or near Antioch when the Phrygian
kings were at the height of their power. The natural ...
/a/antioch.htm - 27k

Galatia (6 Occurrences)
... Again (in Acts 16:1-6) Paul revisited the two regiones: (1) Derbe and Lystra, ie
regio Lycaonia Galatica, (2) the Phrygian and Galatic region, ie the region ...
/g/galatia.htm - 23k

Minor (2 Occurrences)
... HISTORY 1. The Hittites 2. Phrygian and Bithynian Immigrations 3. Lydians, Greeks
and Persians 4. Alexander and his Successors 5. The Galatians 6. The Romans ...
/m/minor.htm - 62k

Asia (22 Occurrences)
... HISTORY 1. The Hittites 2. Phrygian and Bithynian Immigrations 3. Lydians, Greeks
and Persians 4. Alexander and his Successors 5. The Galatians 6. The Romans ...
/a/asia.htm - 71k

Lystra (6 Occurrences)
... But the Anatolian element in the population of those cities continued for a long
time to use the native language (eg Phrygian was in use at Iconium till the ...
/l/lystra.htm - 14k

Laodicea (6 Occurrences)
... in 190 BC It then suddenly became a great and wealthy center of industry, famous
specially for the fine black wool of its sheep and for the Phrygian powder for ...
/l/laodicea.htm - 11k

Eyesalve (1 Occurrence)
... i'-sav (kollourion; collyrium; Revelation 3:18): A Phrygian powder mentioned by
Galen, for which the medical school of Laodicea seems to have been famous (see ...
/e/eyesalve.htm - 7k

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