Lexical Summary Areios Pagos: Areopagus Original Word: Ἄρειος Πάγος Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Areopagus, Mars' Hill. From Ares (the name of the Greek deity of war) and a derivative of pegnumi; rock of Ares, a place in Athens -- Areopagus, Mars' Hill. see GREEK pegnumi NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom Arés (Ares, the Gr. god of war) and pagos (a rocky hill) Definition "the Hill of Ares," Areopagus, a hill in Athens NASB Translation Areopagus (2). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 697: ἌρειοςἌρειος (Tdf. Ἀριος) Πάγος, Πάγου, ὁ, Areopagus (a rocky height in the city of Athens not far from the Acropolis toward the west; πάγος a hill, Ἄρειος belonging to (Ares) Mars, Mars' Hill; so called, because, as the story went, Mars, having slain Halirrhothius, son of Neptune, for the attempted violation of his daughter Alcippe, was tried for the murder here before the twelve gods as judges; Pausan. Attic. 1, 28, 5), the place where the judges convened who, by appointment of Solon, had jurisdiction of capital offences (as willful murder, arson, poisoning, malicious wounding, and breach of the established religious usages). The court itself was called Areopagus from the place where it sat, alsoAreumjudicium (Tacitus, ann. 2, 55), andcuriaMartis (Juvenal, sat. 9, 101). To that hill the apostle Paul was led, not to defend himself before the judges, but that he might set forth his opinions on divine subjects to a greater multitude of people, flocking together there and eager to hear something new: Acts 17:19-22; cf. Acts 17:32. Cf. J. H. Krause in Pauly's Real-Encycl. 2te Aufi. i. 2, p. 1497ff under the word Areopag; (Grote, Hist. of Greece, index under the word; Dicts. of Geogr. and Antiq.; BB. DD. under the word Topical Lexicon Geographical and Civic Setting The term refers to a rocky limestone hill rising some fifty meters northwest of the Athenian Acropolis, known in English as the Areopagus. In classical times it served both as a gathering place and as the seat of the city’s aristocratic council, which adjudicated homicide cases, supervised morals, and acted as a guardian of traditional religion. By the first century it functioned less as a judicial body and more as an esteemed forum for philosophical and religious discussion. The hill’s prominence made it a natural venue for evaluating new ideas presented to the populace of Athens. Historical Background Athens of the Roman era cherished its heritage as the cradle of philosophy. Stoic and Epicurean schools thrived, temples and idols abounded, and public curiosity about novel teachings remained high. Even under Roman oversight, the Areopagus retained enough prestige that visiting teachers could be summoned there for examination. Thus, when Paul arrived during his second missionary journey, the hill stood as a symbolic crossroads between the ancient pagan worldview and the revelation of the gospel. Biblical Context and Usage The noun occurs four times in the Greek New Testament, all within Acts 17. Twice it designates the place itself (Acts 17:19, “Ἄρειον Πάγον”) and twice the body or court associated with it (Acts 17:22, “Ἀρείου Πάγου”). Luke thereby roots Paul’s speech in an actual historical setting recognizable to his readers, demonstrating the concrete intersection of apostolic witness with the intellectual centers of the Greco-Roman world. Paul’s Witness before the Areopagus “So they took Paul and brought him to the Areopagus, saying, ‘May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting?’” (Acts 17:19, Berean Standard Bible). Luke’s narrative climaxes when “Paul stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said: ‘Men of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious’” (Acts 17:22). The apostle proceeds to: • Affirm general revelation: “The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth” (Acts 17:24). Theological Emphases 1. Universality of God’s rule: Paul identifies one Creator for all nations, undermining the polytheistic assumptions of his hearers (compare Isaiah 45:22). Legacy in Early Christian Mission The Areopagus address became a model for evangelism within pluralistic societies. Early apologists such as Justin Martyr and Athenagoras similarly appealed to reason and creation while confronting idolatry. The episode also testifies that the gospel is not anti-intellectual; rather, it engages the highest forums of human thought, calling every worldview to submit to Christ. Practical Applications for the Church • Engage culture thoughtfully: Like Paul, believers today should study the beliefs, literature, and values of their context to speak persuasively. Related Passages and Themes John 1:9 – Christ as the light enlightening every person. Romans 1:18-23 – Natural revelation and human accountability. 1 Corinthians 1:22-24 – The gospel as power and wisdom to those called. 1 Peter 3:15 – Readiness to give an answer with gentleness and respect. Summary Strong’s Greek 697 transports the reader to a real hill in ancient Athens where the apostolic gospel first confronted the philosophers of the age. The brief references encapsulate a strategic moment in redemptive history: the risen Lord proclaimed in the heart of pagan learning, calling all people everywhere to repent. The Areopagus thus stands as a perpetual reminder that the Church is sent into every marketplace of ideas to declare “the word of the Lord” with clarity, courage, and compassion. Forms and Transliterations Αρειον Ἄρειον Αρειου Ἀρείου Παγον Πάγον Παγου Πάγου Areion Áreion Areiou Areíou Pagon Págon Pagou PágouLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Acts 17:19 N-AMSGRK: ἐπὶ τὸν Ἄρειον Πάγον ἤγαγον NAS: him and brought him to the Areopagus, saying, KJV: unto Areopagus, saying, INT: to the Ares Hill they brought [him] Acts 17:19 N-AMS Acts 17:22 N-GMS Acts 17:22 N-GMS Strong's Greek 697 |
    |