Lexical Summary 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). Politeuma denotes a commonwealth, state, or citizenship. In classical usage it could describe either a political body or the rights that belong to members of such a body. In the New Testament Paul employs it once, in Philippians 3:20, to describe believers’ heavenly citizenship. Historical and Cultural Background Philippi was a prominent Roman colony whose inhabitants enjoyed the prized status of Roman citizenship. Civic pride permeated local life—legal privileges, dress codes, architecture and festivals all reinforced the colony’s Roman identity. Paul draws on that setting to remind the church that their truest civic identity lies not in Rome but in heaven. The contrast is heightened by the preceding description of those “whose minds are set on earthly things” (Philippians 3:19). Context in Philippians Philippians 3 warns against Judaizers who prized earthly credentials. Against that backdrop Paul recounts his own relinquished achievements (Philippians 3:4-9) and redirects the believers’ aspirations toward the upward call in Christ (Philippians 3:14). Verse 20 anchors this reorientation: “But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we eagerly await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ” (Philippians 3:20). Here politeuma: 1. Locates believers’ true homeland—“in heaven.” Old Testament Parallels Though politeuma itself is absent from the Septuagint, the paradigm of sojourners awaiting a homeland is pervasive. Abraham lived “like a stranger in a foreign country” (Hebrews 11:9 citing Genesis 23). The Exodus, the wilderness journey, and the exile narratives all form biblical prototypes of a people whose ultimate allegiance is to God’s kingdom rather than to territorial nations. Theological Significance 1. Identity: Union with Christ relocates believers’ primary civic identity to heaven (Ephesians 2:19). Eschatological Outlook Politeuma is intrinsically forward-looking. The heavenly commonwealth presently exists, yet its fullness awaits the parousia. Believers “await a Savior” who will “transform our lowly bodies to be like His glorious body” (Philippians 3:21). Thus politeuma fosters perseverance amid persecution and resistance to worldly assimilation. Relationship to the Church The local church is an embassy of the heavenly commonwealth. Corporate worship rehearses the values and language of the homeland. Church discipline mirrors kingdom standards (Matthew 18:15-20). Spiritual gifts enable the polity to function (1 Corinthians 12). The Lord’s Supper proclaims “the Lord’s death until He comes” (1 Corinthians 11:26), reinforcing the interim status of pilgrims. Practical Ministry Implications • Discipleship: Teach converts to derive identity from Christ rather than ethnicity, politics or social status. Christological Dimensions The heavenly commonwealth is inaugurated by Christ’s exaltation (Philippians 2:9-11) and awaits His return as Savior-Transforming King. Citizenship is granted through His blood (Revelation 5:9-10), secured by His intercession (Hebrews 7:25) and sealed by the Spirit (Ephesians 1:13-14). Personal Application Believers cultivate the mindset of expatriates: The lone New Testament appearance of politeuma thus opens a rich vista: a people anchored in heaven, active on earth, and oriented toward the glorious unveiling of their King. |
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