Lexical Summary Derbaios: Derbean Original Word: Δερβαῖος Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of Derbe. From Derbe; a Derb?An or inhabitant of Derbe -- of Derbe. see GREEK Derbe Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 1190: ΔερβαῖοςΔερβαῖος, Δερβαιου, ὁ, of Derbe, a native of Derbe: Acts 20:4. Topical Lexicon Geographic and Historical Context of DerbeDerbe was a city of Lycaonia in the south-central plateau of Asia Minor, situated near the border of Galatia and Cappadocia. Lying on the eastern end of the Roman road that connected the Cilician Gates with Lystra and Iconium, it functioned as a frontier market town and military waypoint. Classical writers (e.g., Strabo, Acts inscriptional evidence) describe Derbe as the last city of the province toward the Cilician plain, an observation that aligns with Luke’s travel narrative (Acts 14:6, 21). Its mixed population—Lycaonian, Greek, and Roman—made it receptive soil for the gospel’s cosmopolitan message. Derbe in the Apostolic Mission Paul and Barnabas arrived in Derbe after fleeing persecution in Lystra (Acts 14:6). Luke records, “After preaching the gospel to that city and making many disciples, they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch” (Acts 14:21). Derbe thus became: • A strategic terminus of the first missionary circuit. • A testimony to gospel advance beyond violent opposition (cf. Acts 14:19-20). On the second journey Paul and Silas revisited the city (Acts 16:1), and Timothy—whose mother was a Jewish believer—either hailed from Lystra or Derbe, underscoring the area’s role in supplying co-workers for the wider mission. Gaius of Derbe (Δερβαῖος): Profile of a Devoted Companion The single New Testament use of the adjective Δερβαῖος (Derbaios) occurs in Acts 20:4: “He was accompanied by Sopater son of Pyrrhus from Berea, Aristarchus and Secundus from Thessalonica, Gaius of Derbe, Timothy also, and Tychicus and Trophimus from the province of Asia”. 1. Identity Gaius was a common Roman name; the modifier “of Derbe” distinguishes him from other believers named Gaius (e.g., Macedonia, Corinth, or the recipient of 3 John). Significance of Local Converts in Gospel Expansion Derbe illustrates how freshly evangelized communities quickly produced leaders: • Rapid discipleship—“having made many disciples” (Acts 14:21) indicates intentional grounding in doctrine and practice. Unity and Diversity in the Early Church Acts 20:4 lists representatives from Macedonia, Galatia-Lycaonia, and Asia. Their cooperative travel demonstrates: • Ethnic diversity—Berea (Greek), Thessalonica (Macedonian), Derbe (Lycaonian), and Ephesus’ hinterland (Asian). Lessons for Contemporary Ministry 1. Peripheral places can become pivotal; Derbe, though marginal in Roman eyes, produced leaders of continental significance. Summary Strong’s Greek 1190 (Δερβαῖος) surfaces only once yet opens a window onto the vibrancy of Derbe’s church, the character of Gaius, and the Spirit-led strategy that united diverse believers for the advance of God’s kingdom. Forms and Transliterations Δερβαιος Δερβαῖος Derbaios DerbaîosLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
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