Lexical Summary rhabdizó: To beat with a rod, to scourge Original Word: ῥαβδίζω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance beat with rods. From rhabdos; to strike with a stick, i.e. Bastinado -- beat (with rods). see GREEK rhabdos NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom rhabdos Definition to beat with a rod NASB Translation beaten with rods (2). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4463: ῤαβδίζωῤαβδίζω; 1 aorist passive ἐρραβδίσθην, and (so L T Tr WH) ἐραβδίσθην (see Rho); (ῤάβδος); to beat with rods: Acts 16:22; 2 Corinthians 11:25. (Judges 6:11; Ruth 2:17; Aristophanes, Diodorus, others.) Topical Lexicon Term Overview Strong’s Greek 4463 designates the act of striking with a rod―an officially sanctioned form of corporal punishment in the Greco-Roman world. Though it appears only twice in the Greek New Testament, its occurrences frame a vivid portrait of apostolic hardship and divine purpose. Usage in the New Testament • Acts 16:22 records the punishment inflicted on Paul and Silas at Philippi: “The crowd joined in the attack against them, and the magistrates ordered that they be stripped and beaten with rods”. In both places the verb underscores unlawful treatment of Gospel messengers, highlighting Paul’s willingness to endure civil abuse for Christ and to expose injustice when it threatened the fledgling church (Acts 16:37-39). Historical and Cultural Background Rods (Latin: virgae) were bundled in the fasces carried by Roman lictors. Local magistrates could order a summary beating for disturbing the peace, especially in colonies such as Philippi that prized Roman order. Jewish law limited lashings (Deuteronomy 25:2-3), but Roman rod-beatings had no fixed count and could be severe. Citizens were technically exempt unless first condemned; Paul’s mistreatment therefore breached Roman law, adding legal weight to his later protest. Apostolic Suffering and Gospel Advance Rod-beatings belong to Paul’s larger catalogue of afflictions (2 Corinthians 6:4-5). These sufferings served at least three ministry purposes: 1. Authentication of apostleship—proof that Paul followed the suffering Servant (2 Corinthians 4:10-11). Old Testament Foundations and Prophetic Echoes The rod in Scripture symbolizes both discipline and authority (Proverbs 13:24; Isaiah 11:4). While Strong’s 4463 does not appear in the Septuagint, the concept reflects prophetic warnings that God may employ human authorities as instruments of chastening (Psalm 89:32). Paul’s experience thus stands in continuity with earlier servants of God who endured blows yet advanced the divine plan. Legal Rights and Christian Ethics By invoking his citizenship after the beating (Acts 16:37), Paul balanced submission to governing authorities with legitimate appeal to justice (compare Acts 22:25). His example teaches believers to honor civil structures while using legal means to protect the gospel and others from wrongful harm. Practical Lessons for the Faith Community • Expect opposition: “Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (2 Timothy 3:12). Related Vocabulary and Symbolism The cognate noun rhabdos (rod, staff) appears in contexts of shepherding (Revelation 2:27) and authority (Hebrews 9:4), illustrating how an object of nurture or judgment can also become an implement of persecution when wielded by fallen authorities. Summary Strong’s 4463 marks more than an historical detail; it encapsulates the clash between earthly power and gospel proclamation. Through rod-beatings Paul modeled Christlike endurance, transformed personal injustice into missionary breakthrough, and furnished the church with a timeless paradigm for suffering well under God’s sovereign hand. Forms and Transliterations εράβδιζε εραβδισθην ἐραβδίσθην ερράβδισεν ερραβδίσθην ραβδιζειν ραβδίζειν ῥαβδίζειν erabdisthen erabdisthēn erabdísthen erabdísthēn rabdizein rhabdizein rhabdízeinLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Acts 16:22 V-PNAGRK: ἱμάτια ἐκέλευον ῥαβδίζειν NAS: them and proceeded to order [them] to be beaten with rods. KJV: clothes, and commanded to beat [them]. INT: garments commanded to beat [them] with rods 2 Corinthians 11:25 V-AIP-1S Strong's Greek 4463 |
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