Lexical Summary Apollónia: Apollonia Original Word: Ἀπολλωνία Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Apollonia. From the pagan deity Apollon (i.e. The sun; from apollumi); Apollonia, a place in Macedonia -- Apollonia. see GREEK apollumi NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom Apollón (name of the Gr. god Apollo) Definition Apollonia, a city in Macedonia NASB Translation Apollonia (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 624: ἈπολλωνίαἈπολλωνία, Ἀπολλωνιας, ἡ, Apollonia, a maritime city of Macedonia, about a day's journey (according to the Antonine Itinerary 32 Roman miles) from Amphipolis, through which Paul passed on his way to Thessalonica (36 miles further): Acts 17:1. (See B. D. under the word.) Topical Lexicon OverviewApollonia, referenced only once in the New Testament (Acts 17:1), was a Macedonian city situated on the celebrated Roman military highway, the Via Egnatia. Though its biblical mention is brief, its position on Paul’s second missionary route sheds light on how the gospel advanced through strategic urban centers of the first-century Mediterranean world. Name and Dedication The city’s Greek designation reflects devotion to the sun-god Apollo, a reminder that Paul’s journeys regularly intersected with places steeped in pagan worship. Into such settings he brought the proclamation that “in past generations He allowed all nations to go their own way, yet He has not left Himself without testimony” (Acts 14:16-17). Geographical Setting Apollonia lay roughly midway between Amphipolis and Thessalonica—about thirty Roman miles west of Amphipolis and another thirty-five or so east of Thessalonica. Modern scholarship identifies the site with the vicinity of Nea Apollonia or the nearby village of Polina beside Lake Volvi in northern Greece. Positioned on the Via Egnatia, the city enjoyed commercial vitality and regular traffic of soldiers, merchants, and travelers, making it a logical waypoint for itinerant preachers. Historical Background 1. Classical and Hellenistic periods: Founded by Greek colonists, Apollonia thrived under Macedonian kings and later under Alexander the Great’s successors. Its name appears in the writings of Strabo, Pliny, and Ptolemy, and its coins—bearing Apollo’s likeness—have been unearthed by archaeologists. Apollonia in Acts “When they had traveled through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews.” (Acts 17:1) Luke’s summary suggests: • Rapid movement: Paul, Silas, and likely Timothy covered about one hundred Roman miles from Philippi to Thessalonica, stopping overnight at Amphipolis and Apollonia—each spaced a day’s journey apart. Implications for Pauline Strategy 1. Urban penetration: Paul favored key cities that could radiate the gospel to surrounding regions (1 Thessalonians 1:8). Apollonia’s omission from Luke’s narrative underscores a missional principle: not every settlement received extended ministry, yet each waypoint enabled progress toward strategic centers. Related Biblical Themes • The sovereignty of God over geography and history (Acts 17:26). Legacy in Church History While Apollonia never became a Pauline mission hub, later ecclesiastical records list bishops from an Apollonia in Macedonia, suggesting eventual Christian presence. The scant canonical reference reminds readers that some gospel seeds sprout quietly yet contribute to the larger harvest foretold in Matthew 24:14. Lessons for Christian Ministry 1. Strategic planning honors God. Paul’s chosen route maximized impact without neglecting divine guidance. In sum, Apollonia exemplifies a waystation where history, culture, and Divine mission intersect, illustrating how the risen Christ directs His servants “to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8). Forms and Transliterations Απολλωνιαν Ἀπολλωνίαν Apollonian Apollonían Apollōnian ApollōníanLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
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