698. Areopagités

Lexical Summary

Areopagités: Areopagite

Original Word: Ἀρεοπαγίτης
Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine
Transliteration: Areopagités
Pronunciation: ar-eh-op-ag-ee'-tace
Phonetic Spelling: (ar-eh-op-ag-ee'-tace)
KJV: Areopagite
NASB: Areopagite
Word Origin: [from G697 (Ἄρειος Πάγος - Areopagus)]

1. an Areopagite or member of the court held on Mars' Hill

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

Areopagite.

From Areios Pagos; an Areopagite or member of the court held on Mars' Hill -- Areopagite.

see GREEK Areios Pagos

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from Areios
Definition
a judge of the court of Areopagus
NASB Translation
Areopagite (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 698: Ἀρεοπαγίτης

Ἀρεοπαγίτης, Tdf. Ἀρεοπαγειτης (see under the word εἰ, ἰ), Ἀρεοπαγιτου, ὁ (from the preceding (cf. Lob. ad Phryn. 697f)), a member of the court of Areopagus, an Areopagite: Acts 17:34.

Topical Lexicon

Historical Background

The Areopagus, literally “Hill of Ares,” was both a rocky outcrop northwest of the Athenian Acropolis and the name of the ancient council that convened there. By the first century the body had evolved from its early judicial authority over homicide cases into a respected senate of elders that supervised matters of religion, morality, and public order in Athens. Membership was drawn from the city’s most distinguished citizens, giving the title “Areopagite” considerable social weight.

Scriptural Occurrence

The term appears once in the Greek New Testament:

“ But some joined him and believed, including Dionysius the Areopagite, a woman named Damaris, and others with them.” (Acts 17:34)

Luke places Dionysius in direct contrast to the majority who “sneered” at Paul’s proclamation of the resurrection (Acts 17:32). His response embodies the Spirit-wrought fruit that can emerge even in skeptical, highly cultured settings.

The Areopagus and First-Century Athens

1. Intellectual hub: Acts 17:21 notes that “all the Athenians and foreigners who lived there spent their time doing nothing more than hearing and discussing new ideas.” The council personified that climate, making it a strategic venue for the gospel’s first public engagement with Hellenistic philosophy.
2. Guardian of cultic life: The Areopagus traditionally licensed new deities and evaluated religious innovations. Paul’s summons before it (Acts 17:19) underscores how the resurrection message was perceived as introducing a “new teaching.”
3. Moral authority: Although Rome held ultimate civil power, local moral regulation remained under the council’s influence. A convert from its ranks signaled that Christian ethics could satisfy even the stringent standards of classical virtue.

Dionysius the Areopagite: Conversion and Legacy

• Social significance: As a member of an elite body, Dionysius’ conversion demonstrated the gospel’s reach “from slaves to senators.” His example would encourage believers in every age to present Christ confidently to societal leaders (compare Acts 26:28-29).
• Early church tradition: Later writers record Dionysius as Athens’ first bishop and a martyr. While the fifth-century corpus attributed to “Pseudo-Dionysius” cannot be the biblical figure, its very existence testifies to the high regard early Christians felt for the original Areopagite’s faith and intellect.
• Missional ripple effect: Luke mentions Dionysius and Damaris to show that Paul’s sermon did not return void (Isaiah 55:11). From this small nucleus, a Christian community was planted in one of antiquity’s most sophisticated cities.

Theological and Ministerial Insights

1. Common ground and confrontation: Paul begins with cultural observation (Acts 17:22-23) yet swiftly moves to proclamation of the risen Judge (Acts 17:31). Dionysius’ response validates an approach that respects an audience’s background without diluting truth.
2. Resurrection as watershed: The council’s mixed reaction pivots on the bodily resurrection. Dionysius’ belief underscores that accepting the historical resurrection is decisive for entering the kingdom (Romans 10:9).
3. The gospel’s universality: From Philippian jailers to Athenian philosophers, Acts showcases how the same message addresses every stratum. The single occurrence of “Areopagite” encapsulates this inclusivity.

Application for Contemporary Ministry

• Engaging thought leaders: Modern equivalents of the Areopagus—universities, think tanks, legislative chambers—remain vital mission fields. Acts 17 provides a model: reason from creation, quote familiar sources when helpful, and climax with Christ crucified and risen.
• Encouraging converts in high places: Churches should nurture believers who occupy influential roles, recognizing their potential to shape public conscience as Dionysius once did in Athens.
• Expecting a remnant: The gospel often yields varied responses—mockery, delay, and faith (Acts 17:32-34). Faithful proclamation leaves the results to God, who still calls His Dionysiuses out of every culture.

Summary

Strong’s Greek 698 refers to a member of the esteemed Athenian council. Though the word surfaces only once, its solitary appearance highlights the power of the gospel to penetrate intellectual strongholds, convert influential individuals, and establish Christ’s lordship in every sphere of human life.

Forms and Transliterations

Αρεοπαγιτης Ἀρεοπαγίτης Areopagites Areopagitēs Areopagítes Areopagítēs

Englishman's Concordance

Acts 17:34 N-NMS
GRK: Διονύσιος ὁ Ἀρεοπαγίτης καὶ γυνὴ
NAS: were Dionysius the Areopagite and a woman
KJV: [was] Dionysius the Areopagite, and
INT: [was] Dionysius the Areopagite and a woman

Strong's Greek 698
1 Occurrence

Ἀρεοπαγίτης — 1 Occ.