Lexical Summary stasis: Rebellion, insurrection, dissension, standing Original Word: στάσις Strong's Exhaustive Concordance insurrection, uproar. From the base of histemi; a standing (properly, the act), i.e. (by analogy) position (existence); by implication, a popular uprising; figuratively, controversy -- dissension, insurrection, X standing, uproar. see GREEK histemi Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4714: στάσιςστάσις, στάσεως, ἡ (ἵστημι); 1. a standing, station, state: ἔχειν στάσιν, to stand, exist, have stability, Latinlocum habere (R. V. is get standing), Hebrews 9:8 (Polybius 5, 5, 3). 2. from Aeschylus and Herodotus down, an insurrection (cf. German Aufstand): Mark 15:7; Luke 23:19, 25; Acts 19:40 (see σήμερον, under the end); κινεῖν στάσιν (L T Tr WH στάσεις) τίνι (a mover of insurrections among i. e.) against (cf. Winer's Grammar, 208 (196)) one, Acts 24:5. 3. strife, dissension (Aeschylus Pers. 738; (Diogenes Laërtius 3, 51): Acts 15:2; Acts 23:7, 10. The word conveys two intertwined ideas: (1) an act of “standing” or being in a fixed position, and (2) the turmoil that arises when people “take a stand” against existing authority—dissension, uprising, riot. Both senses appear in the New Testament and illuminate how Scripture views unlawful rebellion on the one hand and legitimate, God-ordained order on the other. Occurrences in the Gospels Mark 15:7; Luke 23:19, 25 identify Barabbas as jailed “for an insurrection”. Rome viewed such staseis as treason. The evangelists contrast Barabbas’ violent revolt with Jesus’ peaceful kingdom, underscoring that the crowd chose a worldly rebel over the true Messiah. The irony heightens the substitution motif: the innocent Christ is crucified while the guilty insurrectionist goes free—foreshadowing substitutionary atonement. Occurrences in Acts 1. Acts 15:2 records “no small dissension” in Antioch over circumcision. The dispute is vigorous yet internal to the church; it is resolved at the Jerusalem Council, demonstrating that doctrinal conflict should be answered by seeking apostolic teaching, not factional revolt. The Epistle to the Hebrews Hebrews 9:8 uses the word in its more literal sense: “as long as the first tabernacle was still standing.” Here stasis refers to the continued function of the outer sanctuary under the old covenant. The verse states that while that earthly arrangement remained, “the way into the Most Holy Place had not yet been disclosed.” The author argues that the sacrificial system, though divinely instituted, was provisional and has now given way to the finished work of Christ. Theological Significance 1. Authority and Rebellion. Every occurrence tied to civil unrest casts revolt in a negative light; Scripture consistently endorses submission to rightful authority (Romans 13:1-7) unless obedience to God requires otherwise (Acts 5:29). Historical Insights Roman law punished seditious assembly severely; the term stasis would have signaled high crimes to first-century hearers. Luke’s repeated use shows him carefully distancing Christianity from political rebellion, a necessary apologetic in the imperial milieu. Simultaneously, the record demonstrates that persecution often arises from false accusations of sedition—a pattern that has recurred throughout church history. Pastoral and Ministerial Applications • Disputes within the church (like that of Acts 15) must be addressed through Spirit-led dialogue grounded in Scripture, not factionalism. Summary Stasis in the New Testament warns against unlawful rebellion while acknowledging that allegiance to Christ may unintentionally provoke civic disturbances. It also marks the passing of the old covenant order before the establishment of the new. The word therefore both cautions believers to pursue peace and emboldens them to stand firm in gospel truth, trusting God to vindicate His people when they are falsely charged with insurrection. Englishman's Concordance Mark 15:7 N-DFSGRK: ἐν τῇ στάσει φόνον πεποιήκεισαν NAS: imprisoned with the insurrectionists who KJV: murder in the insurrection. INT: in the insurrection murder had committed Luke 23:19 N-AFS Luke 23:25 N-AFS Acts 15:2 N-GFS Acts 19:40 N-GFS Acts 23:7 N-NFS Acts 23:10 N-GFS Acts 24:5 N-AFP Hebrews 9:8 N-AFS Strong's Greek 4714 |
    |