Lexical Summary bia: Force, violence Original Word: βία Strong's Exhaustive Concordance violence. Probably akin to bia (through the idea of vital activity); force -- violence. see GREEK bia NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. word Definition strength, force NASB Translation force (1), violence (3). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 970: βίαβία, βίας, ἡ; 1. strength, whether of body or of mind: Homer and subsequent writers. 2. strength in violent action, force: μετά βίας by the use of force, with violence, Acts 5:26; Acts 24:7 (Rec.); shock τῶν κυμάτων, Acts 27:41 (R G, but Tr text brackets; others omit τῶν κυμάτων); διά τήν βίαν τοῦ ὄχλου, the crowd pressing on so violently, Acts 21:35. (Synonym: see δύναμις, at the end.) The noun βία denotes the exertion of external force—whether physical, social, or natural—applied to achieve a particular end. It carries the idea of compulsion that overrides normal restraint, and in Scripture it can describe human aggression, coercive authority, mob action, or even the pounding power of creation itself. Occurrences in Acts • Acts 5:26: “At that time the commander went with the officers and brought the apostles—but not with force, for they feared that the people would stone them.” Thematic Significance: Violence Versus Divine Sovereignty 1. Human authority restrained: In Acts 5:26 the temple guard refrains from βία, revealing that earthly powers are ultimately limited by divine purpose. God protects His witnesses until their testimony is complete. Historical Context and Background Luke’s narrative unfolds under Roman law, where βία was both feared and regulated. Soldiers possessed ius gladii (the right of the sword), yet mob uprisings in Jerusalem frequently erupted around the Temple. Nautical disasters such as the one described in Acts 27 were common in the grain trade routes between Alexandria and Rome, and sailors personified the sea’s βία as an unpredictable deity. By recording these details, Luke anchors the Gospel in verifiable history and underscores God’s providence within first-century power structures. Ministerial and Pastoral Applications • Courage under pressure: Believers should expect opposition but trust the Lord to set boundaries on violence, just as He did for the apostles (Acts 5) and for Paul (Acts 21). The Word in the Broader Canon While βία occurs only in Acts, related Hebrew concepts such as ḥāmās (“violence,” Genesis 6:11) and parits (“ruthless one,” Isaiah 35:9) broaden the biblical theology of violence. Scripture consistently condemns unjust force yet affirms God’s omnipotence over violent men and chaotic seas (Psalm 46:6; Nahum 1:3-4). Doctrinal and Ethical Reflections 1. Total depravity is evident in humanity’s resort to violence against God’s messengers. Christological and Eschatological Dimensions Jesus endured systemic and mob βία in His passion, yet triumphed through resurrection, providing the ultimate answer to violence. At His return, He will establish perfect justice, eliminating all illegitimate force (Revelation 19:11-16). Until that day, the church embodies Christ’s meekness while trusting His righteous judgment. Key Questions for Study and Reflection • How does Luke’s precise recording of βία affirm the reliability of his historiography? βία, therefore, becomes a lens through which Luke magnifies God’s sovereign hand over human aggression and natural calamity, encouraging believers to persevere faithfully in every hostile context. Englishman's Concordance Acts 5:26 N-GFSGRK: οὐ μετὰ βίας ἐφοβοῦντο γὰρ NAS: them [back] without violence (for they were afraid KJV: them without violence: for they feared INT: not with force they feared indeed Acts 21:35 N-AFS Acts 24:7 Noun-GFS Acts 27:41 N-GFS |
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