Lexical Summary Italia: Italy Original Word: Ἰταλία Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Italy. Probably of foreign origin; Italia, a region of Europe -- Italy. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof Latin origin Definition Italy, a region of western Europe NASB Translation Italy (4). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 2482: ἸταλίαἸταλία, Ἰταλίας, ἡ, Italy: Acts 18:2; Acts 27:1, 6; Hebrews 13:24. Topical Lexicon Geographical Setting Italy, the peninsula projecting into the Mediterranean at the heart of the Roman Empire, functioned as the political, military, and commercial hub of the first-century world. Rome dictated imperial policy from its western coast, while major seaports such as Puteoli and Ostia connected the region to every maritime trade route. To New Testament believers, “Italy” therefore evoked both the might of Caesar and the promise that the risen Christ would be proclaimed even in the empire’s corridors of power. Occurrences and Narrative Function The word appears four times in the Greek New Testament. Historical and Political Importance in the First Century Italy’s provinces supplied troops, taxes, and administrative oversight to the empire; its roads radiated from Rome like spokes on a wheel. Claudius’s expulsion decree (circa AD 49) forced many Jews—and with them Jewish Christians—out of Rome, scattering gospel witnesses across the Mediterranean. A little more than a decade later, Paul’s legal appeal to Caesar leveraged imperial infrastructure to carry him to Rome at state expense (Acts 27–28). Thus, Italy serves as a reminder that the sovereign God can redirect political edicts and judicial systems to accomplish His redemptive purposes. Italy and the Advancement of the Gospel 1. Strategic Relocation: Aquila and Priscilla’s move from Rome to Corinth (Acts 18:2–3) provided Paul with co-laborers skilled in both tentmaking and Scripture, underscoring how displacement can further kingdom work. Christian Fellowship Across Imperial Boundaries Hebrews 13:24 reveals bonds that transcended geography. Believers “from Italy” may have been visiting Palestine or Asia Minor, yet their greeting linked distant congregations as one body in Christ. This mutual recognition models the unity Christ prayed for in John 17 and demonstrates how early Christians viewed themselves first as citizens of heaven, even while residing under Roman rule. Doctrinal and Pastoral Insights • Divine Sovereignty: Italy’s dominance did not hinder the gospel; it provided roads, common language (Koine Greek and Latin), and relative security for missionary travel. Legacy for Subsequent Church History Rome soon became a principal center of Christian theology and mission. The martyrs Peter and Paul would seal their witness there, and the Epistle to the Romans—addressed to believers already resident in Italy—remains foundational for Christian doctrine. Italy thus stands in Scripture and history as both showcase and conduit of the gospel’s power to penetrate imperial structures and transform hearts. Contemporary Application Modern believers may draw courage from the New Testament’s portrayal of Italy: political capitals, academic centers, and cultural trendsetters are not impenetrable strongholds but providential platforms. Whether through displacement, legal proceedings, or collaborative networks, God still positions His people so that “the word of the Lord may run swiftly and be glorified” (2 Thessalonians 3:1). Forms and Transliterations Ιταλιαν Ἰταλίαν Ιταλιας Ἰταλίας Italian Italían Italias ItalíasLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Acts 18:2 N-GFSGRK: ἀπὸ τῆς Ἰταλίας καὶ Πρίσκιλλαν NAS: come from Italy with his wife KJV: come from Italy, with his INT: from Italy and Priscilla Acts 27:1 N-AFS Acts 27:6 N-AFS Hebrews 13:24 N-GFS Strong's Greek 2482 |
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