5546. Christianos

Lexicon

Christianos: Christian

Original Word: Χριστιανός
Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine
Transliteration: Christianos
Pronunciation: khris-tee-an-os'
Phonetic Spelling: (khris-tee-an-os')
Definition: Christian
Meaning: a Christian.

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

Christian.

From Christos; a Christian, i.e. Follower of Christ -- Christian.

see GREEK Christos

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from Christos
Definition
a Christian
NASB Translation
Christian (2), Christians (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 5546: Χριστιανός

Χριστιανός (cf. Lightfoot on Philip., p. 16 note), Χριστιανου, ὁ (Χριστός), a Christian, a follower of Christ: Acts 11:26; Acts 26:28; 1 Peter 4:16. The name was first given to the worshippers of Jesus by the Gentiles, but from the second century (Justin Martyr (e. g. Apology 1, 4, p. 55 a.; dialog contra Trypho, § 35; cf. 'Teaching etc. 12, 4 [ET])) onward accepted by them as a title of honor. CL Lipsius, Ueber Ursprung u. ältesten Gebrauch des Christennamens. 4to, pp. 20, Jen. 1873. (CL Sophocles' Lexicon, under the word, 2; Farrar in Alex.'s Kitto, under the word; on the 'Titles of Believers in the N. T.' see Westcott, Epistles of St. John, p. 125f; cf. Dict. of Chris. Antiqq., under the word 'Faithful'.)

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: Derived from Χριστός (Christos, Strong's 5547), meaning "Christ" or "Anointed One," combined with the suffix -ιανός (-ianos), which denotes belonging to or following.

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: There is no direct Hebrew equivalent for "Χριστιανός" as it is a term that emerged in the context of the Greek-speaking early Christian community. However, related concepts can be found in Hebrew terms for "Messiah" (מָשִׁיחַ, Mashiach, Strong's 4899), which corresponds to the Greek "Χριστός" (Christos).

Usage: The term "Χριστιανός" is used in the New Testament to refer to the disciples of Jesus Christ, indicating those who adhere to His teachings and acknowledge Him as the Messiah.

Context: The term "Χριστιανός" appears three times in the New Testament. It is used to describe the early followers of Jesus Christ, who were first called Christians in Antioch (Acts 11:26). This designation was likely given by outsiders and may have initially been intended as a term of derision. However, the early believers embraced the name as a badge of honor, signifying their allegiance to Christ.

In Acts 26:28, King Agrippa uses the term when he says to Paul, "In such a short time, would you persuade me to become a Christian?" This indicates that by this time, the term was widely recognized and understood to describe those who followed the teachings of Jesus.

The Apostle Peter also uses the term in 1 Peter 4:16, encouraging believers not to be ashamed if they suffer as Christians, but to glorify God in that name. This reflects the growing identity and community of believers who were distinguished by their faith in Jesus Christ.

The term "Χριστιανός" thus encapsulates the identity of those who are committed to living according to the teachings of Jesus, acknowledging Him as the Savior and Lord. It signifies a transformation of life and allegiance, marking a distinct community within the broader society of the time.

Forms and Transliterations

Χριστιανον Χριστιανὸν Χριστιανος Χριστιανός Χριστιανους Χριστιανούς Christianon Christianòn Christianos Christianós Christianous Christianoús

Englishman's Concordance

Acts 11:26 N-AMP
GRK: τοὺς μαθητὰς Χριστιανούς
NAS: called Christians in Antioch.
KJV: were called Christians first
INT: the disciples Christians

Acts 26:28 N-AMS
GRK: με πείθεις Χριστιανὸν ποιῆσαι
NAS: me to become a Christian.
KJV: me to be a Christian.
INT: me you persuade a Christian to become

1 Peter 4:16 N-NMS
GRK: δὲ ὡς Χριστιανός μὴ αἰσχυνέσθω
NAS: but if [anyone suffers] as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed,
KJV: [any man suffer] as a Christian, let him
INT: however as a Christian not let him be ashamed

Strong's Greek 5546
3 Occurrences

Χριστιανὸν — 1 Occ.
Χριστιανός — 1 Occ.
Χριστιανούς — 1 Occ.