Lexical Summary Chios: Chios Original Word: Χίος Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Chios. Of uncertain derivation; Chios, an island in the Mediterranean -- Chios. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof uncertain origin Definition Chios, an island in the Aegean Sea NASB Translation Chios (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 5508: ΧίοςΧίος, Χίου, ἡ, Chios, an island in the Aegean Sea, between Samos and Lesbos, not far from the shore of Lydia: Acts 20:15. Topical Lexicon Geographical Setting and Strategic Location Chios is a sizeable Aegean island situated less than seven miles off the western coastline of Asia Minor, opposite the region of Ionia. In the first century, it was celebrated for its fertile valleys, abundant mastic trees, fine wines, and a harbor that served as a natural waypoint for vessels hugging the coast between the Hellespont and the southern Aegean. Because prevailing winds often required ancient sailors to tack along the shore rather than venture into the open sea, Chios offered a convenient anchorage and market stop for ships traveling between Macedonia, Troas, Ephesus, and the islands of the Dodecanese. Biblical Occurrence Acts 20:15 records the lone New Testament mention: “Sailing from there, we arrived the next day opposite Chios. The following day we crossed over to Samos, and the day after that we came to Miletus”. Luke notes Chios in a simple travel log, yet its inclusion underlines the accuracy of his nautical details, reinforcing the historical reliability of the narrative. Historical Background of Chios In classical times, Chios was part of the Delian League and later aligned with Rome. By the first century AD it enjoyed a measure of autonomy under Roman oversight, minting its own coinage and hosting a thriving mercantile economy. Its population was mainly Greek, with Jewish presence attested by inscriptions from nearby Smyrna and Ephesus, suggesting occasional synagogue ties across the strait. Pagan worship of local deities and the imperial cult dominated religious life, creating a typical Hellenistic environment into which the gospel would later penetrate. Paul’s Third Missionary Journey Context Luke’s itinerary in Acts 20:13–16 traces Paul’s movements after the Ephesian riot and his collection for the saints in Jerusalem. Having already revisited Macedonia and Greece (Acts 20:1–3), Paul set sail from Philippi, met his companions in Troas, and then boarded a coastal vessel bound for Syria. Bypassing Ephesus to hasten to Jerusalem “if possible, on the day of Pentecost” (Acts 20:16), Paul selected a route that skirted the eastern Aegean shoreline: Assos, Mitylene, Chios, Samos, and Miletus. Chios thus marks one in a string of ports that demonstrate strategic stewardship of time and resources. The apostle balanced his pastoral burden for the Ephesian elders (whom he summoned to Miletus) with his determination to deliver the relief offering to Jerusalem before the feast. Every harbor stop—Chios included—reflects deliberate planning toward gospel advance and church unity. Christian Ministry Implications 1. Attention to Detail: Luke’s mention of Chios shows that the Spirit’s inspiration encompasses even seemingly minor travel notes, underscoring the trustworthiness of Scripture (Luke 1:3; 2 Timothy 3:16). Lessons for Contemporary Believers • Trust the small details of Scripture; geographical precision assures doctrinal confidence. Forms and Transliterations Χιου Χίου Chiou ChíouLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
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