Jump to: Hitchcock's • Smith's • ATS • ISBE • Easton's • Concordance • Thesaurus • Greek • Library • Subtopics • Terms Topical Encyclopedia Phrygia was an ancient region located in the west-central part of what is now modern-day Turkey. It played a significant role in the early Christian church and is mentioned several times in the New Testament. The region was known for its distinct culture and language, and it was a melting pot of various ethnic groups and religious practices.Geographical and Historical Context Phrygia was bordered by several other regions, including Galatia to the east, Lydia to the west, and Pisidia to the south. The terrain was largely mountainous, with fertile valleys that supported agriculture. Historically, Phrygia was known for its skilled artisans, particularly in metalwork and textiles. The Phrygians were also known for their religious practices, which included the worship of the mother goddess Cybele. Biblical References Phrygia is mentioned in the New Testament in the context of the spread of the early Christian church. In Acts 2:10, Phrygians are listed among those present in Jerusalem during the Day of Pentecost: "Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome." This indicates that Jews from Phrygia were among those who heard the apostles speaking in tongues, suggesting an early exposure to the Gospel message. The Apostle Paul traveled through Phrygia during his missionary journeys. Acts 16:6 states, "Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia." This passage highlights the strategic importance of Phrygia in Paul's mission to spread Christianity throughout Asia Minor. In Acts 18:23, Paul again visits the region: "After spending some time in Antioch, Paul set out from there and traveled from place to place throughout the region of Galatia and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples." This indicates that there were established Christian communities in Phrygia that required encouragement and teaching. Cultural and Religious Influence Phrygia was a region of diverse religious practices, which included the worship of various deities. The Phrygian religion was characterized by its ecstatic rituals and mystery cults, which were often in stark contrast to the teachings of Christianity. The presence of these religious practices posed challenges to the early Christians, who were called to remain steadfast in their faith amidst a pluralistic society. The influence of Phrygian culture and religion is also seen in the syncretistic tendencies that the early church had to address. The Apostle Paul, in his letters, often warned against the blending of Christian doctrine with pagan practices, a challenge that would have been particularly relevant in regions like Phrygia. Significance in Early Christianity Phrygia's significance in early Christianity lies in its role as a crossroads for the spread of the Gospel. The presence of Jewish communities, as well as the diverse population, provided fertile ground for the message of Christ to take root and spread. The region's mention in the context of Paul's missionary journeys underscores its importance in the establishment and growth of the early church. The challenges faced by the early Christians in Phrygia, including opposition from local religious practices and the need for doctrinal purity, reflect broader themes in the New Testament regarding the perseverance of faith and the transformative power of the Gospel. Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary PhrygiaSmith's Bible Dictionary Phrygia(dry, barren). Perhaps there is no geographical term in the New Testament which is less capable of an exact definition. In fact there was no Roman province of Phrygia till considerably after the first establishment of Christianity in the peninsula of Asia Minor. The word was rather ethnological than political, and denoted in a vague manner the western part of the central region of that peninsula. Accordingly, in two of the three places where it is used it is mentioned in a manner not intended to he precise. (Acts 16:6; 18:23) By Phrygia we must understand an extensive district in Asia Minor which contributed portions to several Roman provinces, and varying portions at different times. (All over this district the Jews were probably numerous. The Phrygians were a very ancient people, and were supposed to be among the aborigines of Asia Minor. Several bishops from Phrygia were present at the Councils of Nice, A.D. 325, and of Constantinople, A.D. 381, showing the prevalence of Christianity at that time --ED.) ATS Bible Dictionary PhrygiaAn inland province of Asia Minor bounded north by Bithynia and Galatia, east by Cappadocia, south by Lycia, Pisidai, and Isauria, and west by Mysia, Lydia, and Caria. It was called Phrygia Pacatiana, and also Phrygia Major, in distinction from Phrygia Minor, which was a small district of Mysia near the Hellespont, occupied by some Phrygians after the Trojan War. The eastern part of Phrygia Major was also called Lycaonia. This region was a high table land, fruitful in corn and wine, and celebrated for its fine breed of cattle and of sheep. Of the cities belonging to Phrygia, Laodicea, Hierapolis, Colosse, and Antioch of Pisdia, are mentioned in the New Testament. St. Paul twice traveled over it, preaching the gospel, Acts 2:10; 16:6; 18:23. Easton's Bible Dictionary Dry, an irregular and ill-defined district in Asia Minor. It was divided into two parts, the Greater Phrygia on the south, and the Lesser Phrygia on the west. It is the Greater Phrygia that is spoken of in the New Testament. The towns of Antioch in Pisidia (Acts 13:14), Colosse, Hierapolis, Iconium, and Laodicea were situated in it. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia PHRYGIAfrij'-i-a (Phrugia): A large ancient country of Central Asia Minor, very mountainous and with table-lands reaching 4,000 ft. in height. Its name is derived from Phryges, a tribe from Thrace, which in early times invaded the country and drove out or absorbed the earlier Asiatic inhabitants, among whom were the Hittites. Thus, the Phrygians borrowed much of oriental civilization, especially of art and mythology which they transferred to Europe. To define the boundaries of Phrygia would be exceedingly difficult, for as in the case of other Asia Minor countries, they were always vague and they shifted with nearly every age. The entire country abounds with ruins of former cities and with almost countless rock-hewn tombs, some of which are of very great antiquity. Among the most interesting of the rock sculptures are the beautiful tombs of the kings bearing the names Midas and Gordius, with which classical tradition has made us familiar. It seems that at one period the country may have extended to the Hellespont, even including Troy, but later the Phrygians were driven toward the interior. In Roman times, however, when Paul journeyed there, the country was divided into two parts, one of which was known as Galatian Phrygia, and the other as Asian Phrygia, because it was a part of the Roman province of Asia, but the line between them was never sharply drawn. The Asian Phrygia was the larger of the two divisions, including the greater part of the older country; Galatian Phrygia was small, extending along the Pisidian Mountains, but among its important cities were Antioch, Iconium and Apollonia. About 295 A.D., when the province of Asia was no longer kept together, its different parts were known as Phrygia Prima and Phrygia Secunda. That part of Asia Minor is now ruled by a Turkish wall or governor whose residence is in Konia, the ancient Iconium. The population consists not only of Turks, but of Greeks, Armenians, Jews, Kurds and many small tribes of uncertain ancestry, and of peculiar customs and religious practices. The people live mostly in small villages which are scattered throughout the picturesque country. Sheep and goat raising are the leading industries; brigandage is common. According to Acts 2:10, Jews from Phrygia went to Jerusalem, and in Acts 18:23 we learn that many of them were influential and perhaps fanatical. According to Acts 16:6, Paul traversed the country while on his way from Lystra to Iconium and Antioch in Galatian Phrygia. Twice he entered Phrygia in Asia, but on his 2nd journey he was forbidden to preach there. Christianity was introduced into Phrygia by Paul and Barnabas, as we learn from Acts 13:4; Acts 16:1-6; 18:23, yet it did not spread there rapidly. Churches were later founded, perhaps by Timothy or by John, at Colosse, Laodicea and Hierapolis. Greek 5435. Phrugia -- Phrygia, a region of Asia Minor ... Phrygia, a region of Asia Minor. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: Phrugia Phonetic Spelling: (froog-ee'-ah) Short Definition: Phrygia Definition ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5435.htm - 6k 2857. Kolossai -- Colossae, a city in Phrygia 2993. Laodikeia -- Laodicea, a city in Phrygia 3818 -- Pacatiana. 1053. Galatia -- Galatia, a district in Asia Minor or a larger ... 2404. Hierapolis -- Hierapolis, a city in Asia Library Those in Phrygia. Martyrs at Merum in Phrygia, under Julian. Concerning St. Ambrose and his Elevation to the High Priesthood ... Of Novatus and his Followers. The Novatians of Phrygia Alter the ... Engagement Between Valens and Procopius Near Nacolia in Phrygia ... Certain Presbyters Burnt in a Ship by Order of Valens. Famine in ... Proceedings of John in Asia and Phrygia. Heraclides, Bishop of ... It was Our Purpose to Leave Unnoticed those Mysteries Also into ... The Canons of the Synod Held in the City of Laodicea, in Phrygia ... The Epistle to the Colossians. Thesaurus Phrygia (4 Occurrences)... It was divided into two parts, the Greater Phrygia on the south, and the Lesser Phrygia on the west. ... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. PHRYGIA. ... /p/phrygia.htm - 11k Laodicea (6 Occurrences) Iconium (6 Occurrences) Galatia (6 Occurrences) Lycaonia (2 Occurrences) Lydia (5 Occurrences) Phrygian (1 Occurrence) Pisidia (2 Occurrences) Philip (37 Occurrences) Pacatiana Resources What happened on Paul's third missionary journey? | GotQuestions.orgWhat was Jesus' message to the church in Laodicea in Revelation? | GotQuestions.org Who was Philip in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Phrygia (4 Occurrences)Acts 2:9 Acts 2:10 Acts 16:6 Acts 18:23 Subtopics Phrygia: People From, in Jerusalem Related Terms |
    |