Lexical Summary eparchia: Province Original Word: ἐπαρχία Strong's Exhaustive Concordance province. From a compound of epi and archo (meaning a governor of a district, "eparch"); a special region of government, i.e. A Roman pr?Fecture -- province. see GREEK epi see GREEK archo Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 1885: ἐπάρχειοςἐπάρχειος, ἐπαρχειον, "belonging to an ἔπαρχος or prefect"; ἐπάρχειος namely, ἐξουσία, equivalent to ἡ ἐπαρχίᾳ (see the following word), a perfecture, province: Acts 25:1 T WH marginal reading So ἡ ἐπαρχιος, Eusebius, h. e. 2, 10, 3 (with the variant ἐπαρχειον); 2, 26, 2; 3, 33, 3; de mart. Pal. 8, 1; 13, 11. STRONGS NT 1885: ἐπαρχίᾳἐπαρχίᾳ ἐπαρχεία T WH (see εἰ, ἰ)), ἐπαρχίας, ἡ (from ἔπαρχος i. e. ὁ ἐπ' ἀρχή ὤν the one in command, prefect, governor), prefecture; i. e. 1. the office of ἔπαρχος or prefect. 2. the region subject to a prefect; a province of the Roman empire, either a larger province, or an appendage to a larger province, as Palestine was to that of Syria (cf. Schürer, Zeitgesch., p. 144ff): Acts 23:34; Acts 25:1 (see the preceding word); (Polybius, Diodorus, Plutarch, Dio Cass.). Cf. Krebs, Observations, etc., p. 256ff; Fischer, De vitiis Lexicons of the N. T., p. 432ff; (BB. DD. (especially Kitto) under the word The term translated “province” appears twice in the New Testament, both in Luke’s record of Paul’s trials before Roman officials. In Acts 23:34 the governor asks, “What province is he from?” discovering Paul’s origin in Cilicia. Acts 25:1 notes, “Three days after arriving in the province, Festus went up from Caesarea to Jerusalem.” In each case the word marks a territorial unit of Roman administration that shaped the legal setting in which the gospel advanced. Historical Background By the first century, the Roman Empire divided conquered lands into provinces overseen by governors (procurators, proconsuls, or legates) accountable to the Senate or the Emperor. Judea, absorbed into the provincial system after the removal of Archelaus (A.D. 6), was attached to Syria yet often entrusted to its own procurator residing in Caesarea. Cilicia, Paul’s birthplace, had earlier been united with Cyprus and later joined to Syria. These structures ensured military security, tax collection, and the spread of Roman law and roads—conditions that, under God’s providence, enabled swift missionary travel and legal protections for believers. Role in the Narrative of Acts 1. Verification of Citizenship (Acts 23:34). When Lysias transferred Paul to Felix, the letter clarified Paul’s provincial origin. Identifying Cilicia was crucial: governors avoided judging cases outside their jurisdiction. God used this administrative formality to steer Paul toward audiences in Caesarea and, ultimately, Rome. Theological Reflections • Divine Sovereignty and Human Institutions: Roman provinces were political constructs, yet Scripture portrays them as instruments in God’s redemptive plan (compare Daniel 2:21). Provincial boundaries determined jurisdictions, court venues, and travel corridors that protected and positioned missionaries. Ministry Implications 1. Strategic Awareness: Understanding political geography can aid mission planning, as Paul’s journeys often aligned with provincial capitals (Pisidian Antioch, Corinth, Ephesus). Modern workers likewise assess visa regulations, regional authorities, and cultural centers. Related Scriptures and Concepts • Appeals to Roman authority: Acts 16:37–39; 22:25–29; 25:11–12 Summary Though appearing only twice, the term rendered “province” anchors pivotal moments in Acts. It reflects the intricate governance of the Roman world—a world God ordered to convey His servants, safeguard His message, and spread the name of Jesus Christ from Jerusalem to the heart of the Empire. Englishman's Concordance Acts 23:34 N-GFSGRK: ἐκ ποίας ἐπαρχείας ἐστὶν καὶ NAS: from what province he was, and when he learned KJV: of what province he was. And INT: of what province he is and Acts 25:1 N-DFS Strong's Greek 1885 |
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