Lexical Summary Pisidia: Pisidia Original Word: Πισιδία Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Pisidia. Probably of foreign origin; Pisidia, a region of Asia Minor -- Pisidia. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof uncertain origin Definition Pisidia, a region of Asia Minor NASB Translation Pisidia (1), Pisidian (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4099: ΠισιδίαΠισιδία, Πισιδίας, ἡ, Pisidia, a region of Asia Minor, bounded by Pamphylia and the Pamphylian Sea, Phrygia, and Lycaonia: Acts 13:14 R G; STRONGS NT 4099: ΠισίδιοςΠισίδιος, Πισιδία, Πισιδιον, equivalent to Πισιδικος, "belonging to Pisidia: Ἀντιχεια ἡ Πισιδία, i. e. taking its name from Pisidia (see Ἀντιόχεια, 2): Acts 13:14 L T Tr WH. Pisidia was a rugged, mountainous district in the southern interior of Asia Minor, lying on the northern slopes of the Taurus range. Bordered by Pamphylia to the south, Phrygia to the north-west, Lycaonia to the east, and Caria to the west, it occupied a strategic plateau that controlled the principal passes between the Mediterranean coast and the Anatolian heartland. Its chief city in New Testament interest was Antioch in Pisidia, situated on the great east-west Roman highway (the Via Sebaste) that linked Ephesus with the Cilician Gates. Historical Background Under successive empires—Phrygian, Lydian, Persian, Hellenistic, and finally Roman—Pisidia was known for fierce tribal independence. Rome pacified the region by founding veteran colonies, including Antioch (founded by Augustus about 25 BC). By the first century AD, Pisidia was absorbed into the province of Galatia, giving it Latinized administration yet preserving local Hellenistic and Anatolian cultures. A mixture of Jews, “God-fearers,” and Gentile pagans populated its cities, creating fertile soil for synagogue-based gospel proclamation. Pisidia in the New Testament Narrative The name appears twice in Acts and always in connection with Paul’s first missionary journey: • Acts 13:14: “From Perga, Paul and his companions went on to Pisidian Antioch. On the Sabbath they entered the synagogue and sat down.” Luke’s wording highlights both the region (Πισιδίαν) and its principal colony, Antioch. The sequence Perga → Pisidian Antioch → Iconium → Lystra → Derbe set a pattern of moving from coastal lowland to highland interior, penetrating successive cultural zones with the gospel. Ministry Impact of Paul and Barnabas 1. Launch of synagogue preaching to mixed audiences In Antioch, Paul delivered the first full missionary sermon recorded in Acts (Acts 13:16-41). Grounded in Old Testament promise and culminating in the resurrection, it drew both Jewish and Gentile response, prefiguring the church’s multi-ethnic expansion. 2. Turning-point toward the Gentiles When local Jewish leaders opposed the message, Paul and Barnabas declared, “We now turn to the Gentiles” (Acts 13:46). That decisive statement echoed Isaiah 49:6 and clarified apostolic strategy for the remainder of Acts. 3. Cultural resilience amid persecution Expulsion from Pisidian Antioch (Acts 13:50-51) did not quench gospel advance; instead, “the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit” (Acts 13:52). Pisidia thus illustrates how opposition confirms rather than cancels divine purpose. Possible Link to the Epistle to the Galatians Since Pisidia fell inside the Roman province of Galatia, congregations birthed in Antioch, Iconium, Lystra, and Derbe likely received Paul’s Letter to the Galatians. References to his bodily infirmity when he first evangelized them (Galatians 4:13-15) fit a plausible scenario: illness in malarial Pamphylia forced a trek to the healthier uplands of Pisidia, turning providential sickness into gospel opportunity. Theological Significance 1. Fulfillment of the Abrahamic promise: Gentiles in Pisidia hearing the gospel demonstrate Genesis 12:3 coming to fruition. Later Church History By the second and third centuries, Pisidian Antioch gained a bishopric and contributed delegates to early councils. Ruins of churches discovered on the site include a basilica traditionally associated with Paul, attesting to the enduring memory of his visit. Practical Reflections for Modern Readers • God uses difficult terrain—literal or metaphorical—to advance His kingdom. Pisidia, though mentioned only twice, stands as a witness to the unstoppable progress of the gospel from Jerusalem “to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8), reminding believers that every region, however remote or rugged, lies within God’s redemptive map. Englishman's Concordance Acts 13:14 N-AFSGRK: Ἀντιόχειαν τὴν Πισιδίαν καὶ εἰσελθόντες NAS: they arrived at Pisidian Antioch, KJV: to Antioch in Pisidia, and went INT: Antioch of Pisidia and having gone Acts 14:24 N-AFS |
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