Lexical Summary Asianos: Asian Original Word: Ἀσιανός Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of Asia. From Asia; an Asian (i.e. Asiatic) or an inhabitant of Asia -- of Asia. see GREEK Asia NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom Asia Definition Asian, of Asia NASB Translation Asia (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 774: ἈσιανόςἈσιανός, Ἀσιανου, ὁ, a native of Asia, Asian, Asiatic: Acts 20:4. ((Thucydides, others.)) Topical Lexicon Historical and Geographic Background The term identifies believers hailing from the Roman province of Asia, an administrative district occupying the western coastline of Asia Minor with Ephesus as its chief city. Famous urban centers such as Smyrna, Pergamum, and Laodicea lay within its borders, making the region an early hotbed of commerce, culture, and, by the mid-first century, Christian witness. Because the province served as a major crossroads between east and west, its converts played a strategic role in carrying the gospel along well-traveled land and sea routes. Appearance in the New Testament Narrative The word surfaces once, in Acts 20:4, where Luke lists the men who escorted Paul as he transported the Gentile offering to Jerusalem: “Tychicus and Trophimus from the province of Asia” (Acts 20:4). Luke’s casual reference assumes his audience knew the importance of these Asian believers, indicating they had become prominent, trusted coworkers. Profiles of Tychicus and Trophimus • Tychicus receives five additional mentions (Ephesians 6:21; Colossians 4:7; 2 Timothy 4:12; Titus 3:12), each portraying him as a beloved brother, faithful minister, and capable delegate. His Asian origin underscores the maturity of the churches in the province, able to supply gifted personnel for far-flung needs. The Roman Province of Asia and the Spread of the Gospel Luke previously summarized Paul’s three-year ministry in Ephesus by stating, “all who lived in the province of Asia, both Jews and Greeks, heard the word of the Lord” (Acts 19:10). From that base, the message radiated throughout the province, so that by the early sixties Paul could say, “the churches of Asia send you greetings” (1 Corinthians 16:19). The presence of Asian companions in Acts 20 demonstrates the fruit of that earlier labor: a self-propagating network of congregations capable of resourcing mission beyond their borders. Interchurch Fellowship and the Offering for Jerusalem The Asian delegates joined representatives from Macedonia, Achaia, and Galatia in conveying relief funds to Jerusalem (Romans 15:25-27; 2 Corinthians 8–9). Their participation showcased tangible unity across ethnic and geographic lines, fulfilling the apostolic vision that Gentile believers should share material blessings with Jewish believers who had shared spiritual blessings with them. Testimony to the Unity of Jew and Gentile Because the temple uproar was triggered by the mere assumption that Paul had brought Trophimus past the dividing wall, the incident highlights how volatile Jew-Gentile relations remained. Yet the very fact that Paul traveled openly with Asian Gentiles while observing Jewish customs when appropriate (Acts 21:26) illustrates the gospel’s power to form one new humanity (Ephesians 2:14-16). Legacy for Subsequent Christian Witness By the close of the New Testament era, the churches of Asia not only supplied leaders like Tychicus but also served as recipients of Christ’s seven letters in Revelation 2–3. The seed that produced “Asians” in Paul’s company continued bearing fruit for generations. Their example urges today’s believers to: Forms and Transliterations Ασιανοι Ἀσιανοὶ Asianoi AsianoìLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
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