Lexical Summary Turannos: Tyrant, ruler Original Word: τύραννος Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Tyrannus. A provincial form of the derivative of the base of kurios; a "tyrant"; Tyrannus, an Ephesian -- Tyrannus. see GREEK kurios NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof foreign origin Definition "absolute ruler," Tyrannus, an Ephesian NASB Translation Tyrannus (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 5181: ΤύραννοςΤύραννος, Τυράννου, ὁ, Tyrannus, an Ephesian in whose school Paul taught the gospel, but of whom we have no further knowledge (cf. B. D., under the word): Acts 19:9. Topical Lexicon Identity and Name Tyrannus (Strong’s Greek 5181) appears once in the New Testament, in Acts 19:9, where he is identified as the owner or principal of a “lecture hall” (Greek: σχολή). His name, common in the Greco-Roman world, suggests Hellenistic background. Scripture does not explicitly describe his conversion, social standing, or later life, yet his property became a pivotal venue for apostolic ministry. Historical Context Ephesus in the mid-first century was a thriving commercial and religious center in the Roman province of Asia, renowned for the Temple of Artemis and an intellectual climate that welcomed traveling teachers. Public lecture halls were often rented to philosophers, rhetoricians, orators, and educators. By making his facility available, Tyrannus enabled the proclamation of the gospel in a setting familiar to both Jews and Greeks who sought learning and debate. Paul’s Ministry in the Lecture Hall After opposition in the synagogue, “Paul left them and took the disciples with him, and he began holding discussions daily in the lecture hall of Tyrannus” (Acts 19:9). According to Acts 19:10, this continued for two years, “so that all the residents of Asia, Jews and Greeks alike, heard the word of the Lord.” The passage highlights: Churches later addressed in Revelation 2–3 likely trace their origins to this period. Paul’s comments from elsewhere corroborate the intensity of that season (1 Corinthians 15:32; 1 Corinthians 16:8-9). Theological Significance 1. Providence and Human Agency: God used a secular venue and a presumably secular proprietor to advance the gospel, illustrating that sacred purpose is not confined to explicitly religious spaces. Lessons for Contemporary Ministry • Leveraging Cultural Institutions: Modern churches can wisely employ schools, community centers, and digital platforms as strategic “halls of Tyrannus.” Related Biblical Themes Acts 17:17 – Paul reasoning in marketplaces. Acts 18:19 – Dialogue in Ephesus synagogue prior to extended ministry. 2 Timothy 2:2 – Entrusting truth to faithful men able to teach others. Revelation 2–3 – Fruit of the Ephesian and Asian ministry. Suggested Further Study • Background on first-century Ephesus (Acts 19; Ephesians 1:1). Forms and Transliterations τύραννοι τύραννοί τύραννος Τυραννου Τυράννου τυράννους Turannou Tyrannou TyránnouLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
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