Lexicon politeuma: Citizenship, commonwealth Original Word: πολίτευμα Strong's Exhaustive Concordance citizenship, community, conversation. From politeuomai; a community, i.e. (abstractly) citizenship (figuratively) -- conversation. see GREEK politeuomai NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom politeuomai Definition a form of government, citizenship NASB Translation citizenship (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4175: πολίτευμαπολίτευμα, πολιτευματος, τό (πολιτεύω), in Greek writings from Plato down; 1. the administration of civil affairs or of a commonwealth (R. V. text (Phil. as below) citizenship). 2. the constitution of a commonwealth, form of government and the laws by which it is administered. 3. a state, commonwealth (so R. V. marginal reading): ἡμῶν, the commonwealth whose citizens we are (see πόλις, b.), Philippians 3:20, cf. Meyer and Wiesinger at the passage; of Christians it is said ἐπί γῆς διατριβουσιν, ἀλλ' ἐν οὐρανῷ πολιτευονται, Epist. ad Diogn. c. 5 [ET]; (τῶν σοφῶν ψυχαί) πατρίδα μέν τόν οὐράνιον χῶρον, ἐν ᾧ πολιτευονται, ξένον τόν περιγειον ἐν ᾧ παρῴκησαν νομιζουσαι, Philo de confus. ling. § 17; (γυναῖκες ... τῷ τῆς ἀρετῆς ἐγγεγραμμεναι πολιτευματι, de agricult. § 17 at the end. Cf. especially Lightfoot on Philippians, the passage cited). Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: While there is no direct Hebrew equivalent for "políteuma," the concept of citizenship and belonging to a community can be related to terms like תּוֹשָׁב (toshav, Strong's 8453), meaning "sojourner" or "resident alien," and עֵדָה (edah, Strong's 5712), meaning "congregation" or "assembly." These terms reflect the communal and covenantal aspects of belonging to God's people in the Old Testament. Usage: The word "políteuma" is used in the New Testament to describe the concept of citizenship, particularly in a spiritual or heavenly sense. It appears in contexts where the focus is on the believer's identity and conduct as a member of God's kingdom. Context: The term "políteuma" is found in Philippians 3:20, where the Apostle Paul writes, "But our citizenship is in heaven, and we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ" (BSB). In this passage, Paul contrasts the earthly focus of some with the heavenly citizenship of believers. The use of "políteuma" emphasizes the believer's identity as part of a divine commonwealth, highlighting the privileges and responsibilities that come with being a citizen of heaven. This concept would have resonated with the Philippians, who were proud of their Roman citizenship. Paul uses this imagery to remind them that their ultimate allegiance is to God's kingdom, which transcends earthly political affiliations. The term underscores the transformative nature of the Christian life, where one's conduct and values are aligned with the principles of God's kingdom. |
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