Lexical Summary Bithunia: Bithynia Original Word: Βιθυνία Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Bithynia. Of uncertain derivation; Bithynia, a region of Asia -- Bithynia. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof uncertain origin Definition Bithynia, a province in Asia Minor NASB Translation Bithynia (2). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 978: ΒιθυνίαΒιθυνία, Βιθυνίας, ἡ, Bithynia, a province of Asia Minor, bounded by the Euxine Sea, the Propontis, Mysia, Phrygia, Galatia, Paphlagonia: Acts 16:7; 1 Peter 1:1. (Cf. B. D. under the word; Dict. of Greek and Rom. Geog. under the word; Conybeare and Howson, St. Paul, etc., chapter viii.) Topical Lexicon Geographical and Historical Background Bithynia occupied the north-western corner of Asia Minor, bounded on the north by the Black Sea, on the west by the Propontis (Sea of Marmara) and Bosporus, on the east by Paphlagonia, and on the south by Phrygia and Galatia. Mountainous ridges, fertile valleys, and strategic coastal harbors made the province both commercially attractive and militarily significant. After a succession of Hellenistic rulers, Bithynia willed itself to Rome (74 B.C.) and was eventually merged with neighboring Pontus to form the imperial province “Bithynia-Pontus,” governed by a procurator responsible directly to the emperor. Biblical References 1. Acts 16:7 records Paul’s second missionary journey: “When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not permit them”. Missionary Significance in Acts The prohibition in Acts 16:7 highlights divine sovereignty in the direction of evangelism. Paul’s team—Paul, Silas, and, by this point, Timothy—were poised to head north-east toward the busy trade centers of Nicomedia and Nicaea. The Spirit redirected them westward to Troas, opening the door to Macedonia and the European mainland. Bithynia thus stands as a silent witness that God sometimes advances His purposes by shutting good doors in order to open better ones. Recipients of Peter’s First Epistle Peter names Bithynia last in a sweep of five provinces across northern Asia Minor (1 Peter 1:1). The order follows a likely postal circuit beginning in Pontus and ending in Bithynia. The believers there were part of the “Dispersion,” a term that included both Jewish Christians scattered from earlier persecutions and Gentile converts now estranged from their pagan surroundings (1 Peter 2:11–12). Peter’s instructions on submission to authorities (1 Peter 2:13–17) and standing firm under trials (1 Peter 4:12–19) would resonate in a province known for its close imperial oversight. Early Church Expansion in Bithynia By the early second century the gospel had spread widely. Pliny the Younger, governor of Bithynia-Pontus (A.D. 111-113), wrote to Emperor Trajan complaining that “the contagion of this superstition has spread not only in the cities but in the villages and rural districts.” His letter confirms the presence of organized worship services, ethical rigor, and baptismal vows—echoing the very themes Peter addressed decades earlier. Key Cities and Routes • Nicomedia – Provincial capital and frequent imperial residence; later the eastern capital of Diocletian. Archaeological and Historical Insights Inscriptions and coins attest to thriving synagogues, imperial cult temples, and trade guilds. Underground cisterns, basilicas, and martyr shrines from the fourth century reveal a strong and enduring Christian presence. The monumental walls of Nicaea, still visible today, enclose remains of early churches whose foundations align with the period shortly after Peter’s epistle. Theological and Practical Lessons • Divine Guidance: Acts 16:7 illustrates that the Spirit not only opens doors but also restrains; obedience to either direction is essential. Modern Relevance Present-day northwest Turkey contains the ruins of these ancient centers. While overt Christian activity is limited, archaeological projects and digital gospel resources are re-introducing Scripture where the early church once flourished. The memory of Bithynia reminds believers that God’s Word took root in challenging soil, and that His purposes—though sometimes hidden—never fail. Forms and Transliterations Βιθυνιαν Βιθυνίαν Βιθυνιας Βιθυνίας βικόν Bithunian Bithunias Bithynian Bithynían Bithynias BithyníasLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Acts 16:7 N-AFSGRK: εἰς τὴν Βιθυνίαν πορευθῆναι καὶ NAS: to go into Bithynia, and the Spirit KJV: to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit INT: into Bithynia to go and 1 Peter 1:1 N-GFS Strong's Greek 978 |
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