Lexical Summary stemma: Crown, wreath, garland Original Word: στέμμα Strong's Exhaustive Concordance garland. From the base of stephanos; a wreath for show -- garland. see GREEK stephanos NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom the same as stephanos Definition a wreath NASB Translation garlands (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4725: στέμμαστέμμα, στεμματος, τό (στέφω, perfect passive ἔστεμμαι, to crown, to bind round), a fillet, a garland, put upon victims: Acts 14:13 (cf. Winers Grammar, 630 (585); B. D. American edition under the word Topical Lexicon Overview Strong’s Greek 4725 (στέμμα – stemma) denotes a wreath or garland woven of leaves, flowers, or foliage. Though the term appears only once in the New Testament, its cultural and theological associations enrich our understanding of early Christian engagement with both Jewish roots and Greco-Roman society. Historical Background in Greco-Roman Culture 1. Public Festivals and Temples – In Hellenistic and Roman civic life, wreaths crowned sacrificial animals, victorious athletes, military heroes, and honored citizens. Their presence signified celebration, dedication, and the homage due to a deity or dignitary. Biblical Context: Acts 14:13 Acts 14 narrates Paul’s first missionary journey in Lystra. After the healing of the lame man, the crowd assumes Paul and Barnabas are incarnations of Hermes and Zeus. Acts 14:13: “The priest of Zeus, whose temple was just outside the city, brought bulls and wreaths to the gates, hoping with the crowd to offer a sacrifice.” Relationship to Broader Biblical Imagery of Crowns 1. στέμμα and στέφανος – While στέμμα embodies a garland tied to pagan festivity, στέφανος (crown) is the more common New Testament term, often depicting reward for faithful endurance (James 1:12; 2 Timothy 4:8; Revelation 2:10). The contrast underscores two kinds of honor: the transient acclaim of idols versus the enduring crown of righteousness granted by Christ. Theological Insights • Ephemeral Glory vs. Eternal Life – στέμματα remind believers that human praise and ritual without truth pass away, but eternal life is granted through faith in the risen Lord. Application for Ministry Today 1. Guard against Syncretism – Modern missions likewise face the temptation to accommodate local religious symbols. Scripture calls ministries to proclaim Christ alone while respectfully engaging culture. Summary Though στέμμα appears only in Acts 14:13, it serves as a vivid emblem of the fleeting nature of earthly glory, the perils of idolatry, and the apostolic imperative to uphold the exclusive worship of the living God. Forms and Transliterations στεμματα στέμματα στεμφύλων stemmata stémmataLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |