Berean Strong's Lexicon politeuma: Citizenship, commonwealth Original Word: πολίτευμα Word Origin: Derived from the verb πολιτεύομαι (politeuomai), meaning "to live as a citizen" or "to conduct oneself as a citizen." Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: While there is no direct Hebrew equivalent to "politeuma," the concept of belonging to God's people and kingdom can be related to terms like מַלְכוּת (malkut, "kingdom") and עַם (am, "people" or "nation"). Usage: The term "politeuma" refers to the status or condition of being a citizen, particularly in the context of a community or state. In the New Testament, it is used metaphorically to describe the spiritual citizenship of believers in the kingdom of heaven, contrasting with earthly citizenship. Cultural and Historical Background: In the Greco-Roman world, citizenship was a highly valued status, conferring rights, privileges, and responsibilities within a city-state or the Roman Empire. Citizens were expected to participate in civic duties and uphold the laws and values of their community. For early Christians, the concept of heavenly citizenship provided a powerful metaphor for their identity and allegiance to God's kingdom, often in contrast to the surrounding pagan society. 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). From politeuomai; a community, i.e. (abstractly) citizenship (figuratively) -- conversation. see GREEK politeuomai |
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