Tyrannus
Jump to: Hitchcock'sSmith'sATSISBEEaston'sConcordanceThesaurusGreekLibrarySubtopicsTerms
Topical Encyclopedia
Tyrannus is a figure mentioned in the New Testament, specifically in the Book of Acts. He is associated with the city of Ephesus, where the Apostle Paul conducted a significant portion of his missionary work. The reference to Tyrannus is found in Acts 19:9-10, which provides insight into the early Christian church's expansion and the methods employed by Paul in spreading the Gospel.

Biblical Reference:

Acts 19:9-10 : "But when some of them became obstinate and refused to believe, maligning the Way before the congregation, Paul withdrew from them and took the disciples with him, holding daily discussions in the lecture hall of Tyrannus. This continued for two years, so that all the residents of Asia, both Jews and Greeks, heard the word of the Lord."

Context and Significance:

The mention of Tyrannus occurs during Paul's third missionary journey, a period marked by extensive evangelistic activity and the establishment of Christian communities across Asia Minor. Ephesus, a major city in the Roman province of Asia, served as a strategic location for Paul's ministry due to its cultural and commercial significance.

The "lecture hall of Tyrannus" is believed to have been a public or private space used for teaching and philosophical discussions. The name "Tyrannus" itself suggests a Greek origin, possibly indicating a local philosopher or teacher who owned or operated the hall. The use of such a venue highlights the early Christian movement's engagement with the intellectual and cultural life of the time, as well as its adaptability in utilizing available resources for the proclamation of the Gospel.

Paul's decision to use the lecture hall came after facing opposition in the synagogue, a common occurrence in his ministry. By relocating to a more neutral setting, Paul was able to reach a broader audience, including both Jews and Greeks, thus facilitating the spread of Christianity throughout the region. The two-year period of teaching in the hall of Tyrannus underscores the importance of Ephesus as a center for Paul's missionary efforts and the effectiveness of sustained, daily instruction in establishing a strong Christian presence.

Historical and Cultural Insights:

The practice of using lecture halls for teaching was common in the Greco-Roman world, where philosophers and rhetoricians would gather students and audiences for instruction and debate. This setting would have been familiar to both Jews and Gentiles in Ephesus, making it an ideal location for Paul to present the message of Christ in a manner that resonated with the cultural norms of the time.

The reference to "all the residents of Asia" hearing the word of the Lord through Paul's efforts in the hall of Tyrannus suggests the far-reaching impact of his ministry. Ephesus, being a hub of trade and travel, allowed for the dissemination of the Gospel message beyond the immediate vicinity, contributing to the growth of the early church across the region.

Theological Implications:

The account of Paul teaching in the hall of Tyrannus illustrates the early church's commitment to evangelism and discipleship. It reflects the importance of perseverance in the face of opposition and the strategic use of available opportunities to further the mission of the church. The passage also highlights the inclusivity of the Gospel, as it was proclaimed to both Jews and Greeks, breaking down cultural and religious barriers.

In summary, Tyrannus, though a minor figure in the biblical narrative, represents a significant aspect of Paul's ministry in Ephesus. The use of his lecture hall for daily discussions exemplifies the early church's engagement with the surrounding culture and its dedication to spreading the message of Christ to all people.
Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary
Tyrannus

a prince; one that reigns

Smith's Bible Dictionary
Tyrannus

(sovereign), the name of a man in whose school or place of audience Paul taught the gospel for two years, during his sojourn at Ephesus. See (Acts 19:9) (A.D. 52,53.) The presumption is that Tyrannus himself was a Greek, and a public teacher of philosophy or rhetoric.

ATS Bible Dictionary
Tyrannus

The name of a person at Ephesus, in whose school Paul publicly proposed and defended the doctrines of the gospel, Acts 19:9. By some he is thought to have been a Greek sophist, a teacher of rhetoric or philosophy, converted to Christianity; while others suppose him to have been a Jewish doctor or rabbi, who had a public school.

Easton's Bible Dictionary
Prince, a Greek rhetorician, in whose "school" at Ephesus Paul disputed daily for the space of two years with those who came to him (Acts 19:9). Some have supposed that he was a Jew, and that his "school" was a private synagogue.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
TYRANNUS

ti-ran'-us (Turannos): When the Jews of Ephesus opposed Paul's teaching in the synagogue, he withdrew, and, separating his followers, reasoned daily in the school of Tyrannus. "This continued for the space of two years" (Acts 19:9, 10). D Syriac (Western text) adds after Tyrannus (Acts 19:9), "from the 5th hour unto the 10th." Schole is the lecture-hall or teaching-room of a philosopher or orator, and such were to be found m every Greek city. Tyrannus may have been

(1) a Greek rhetorician or

(2) a Jewish rabbi.

(1) This is the common opinion, and many identify him with a certain Tyrannus, a sophist, mentioned by Suidas. Paul would thus appear to be one of the traveling rhetors of the time, who had hired such a hall to proclaim his own peculiar philosophy (Ramsay, Paul the Traveler, 246, 271).

(2) Meyer thinks that as the apostle had not passed wholly to the Gentiles, and Jews still flocked to hear him, and also that as Tyrannus is not spoken of as a proselyte (sebomenos ton Theon), this schole is the beth Midrash of a Jewish rabbi. "Paul with his Christians withdrew from the public synagogue to the private synagogue of Tyrannus, where he and his doctrine were more secure from public annoyance" (Meyer in the place cited.).

(3) Another view (Overbeck) is that the expression was the standing name of the place after the original owner.

S. F. Hunter

Greek
5181. Turannos -- "absolute ruler," Tyrannus, an Ephesian
... "absolute ruler," Tyrannus, an Ephesian. Part of ... Word Origin of foreign origin
Definition "absolute ruler," Tyrannus, an Ephesian NASB Word Usage Tyrannus (1). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5181.htm - 6k
Library

Have Learned not Only from Your Letter but from those of Many ...
... I have learned not only from your letter but from those of many others that
cavils are raised against me in the school of Tyrannus. ...
/.../i have learned not only.htm

Two Fruitful Years
... not, but spake evil of that way before the multitude, he departed from them, and
separated the disciples, disputing daily in the school of one Tyrannus.10. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/two fruitful years.htm

Acts XIX
... unbelieving, and spoke evil of the way before the multitude, he departed from them
and separated the disciples, discussing daily in the school of one Tyrannus. ...
/.../mcgarvey/a commentary on acts of the apostles/acts xix.htm

The Preparations of the Greeks for Defense.
... The name by which such a chieftain was actually called by the people themselves,
in those days, was tyrannus, the name from which our word tyrant is derived. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/xerxes/chapter vii the preparations of.htm

The Conversion of Apollos, his Character, and the Ministry of Paul ...
... not, but spake evil of that way before the multitude, he departed from them, and
separated the disciples, disputing daily in the school of one Tyrannus." [118:5 ...
/.../killen/the ancient church/chapter viii the conversion of.htm

The Distinguished Ecclesiastics of Our Day, and which of them ...
... 4. After Cyril, Tyrannus [2449] received the episcopate of the parish of Antioch. ...
Tyrannus became bishop in the eighteenth year of Diocletian (301-302). ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter xxxii the distinguished ecclesiastics of.htm

How Eurycles Falsely Accused Herod's Sons; and How their Father ...
... There were two guards of Herod's body, who were in great esteem for their strength
and tallness, Jucundus and Tyrannus; these men had been cast off by Herod ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 10 how eurycles falsely.htm

Acts xix. 8, 9
... believed not, but spake evil of that way before the multitude, he departed from
them, and separated the disciples, disputing daily in the school of one Tyrannus ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xli acts xix 8.htm

Hymnus Post Cibum
... Plebs dirae Babylonis ac tyrannus morti subdiderant, feris dicarant saevis protinus
haustibus vorandum. 45 O semper pietas fidesque tuta! ...
/.../prudentius/the hymns of prudentius/iv hymnus post cibum.htm

Hymnus Epiphaniae
... et caelum supra. Audit tyrannus anxius adesse regum principem, qui nomen
Israel regat 95 teneatque David regiam. Exclamat amens ...
/.../prudentius/the hymns of prudentius/xii hymnus epiphaniae.htm

Thesaurus
Tyrannus's (1 Occurrence)
...Tyrannus's (1 Occurrence). ... So Paul left them, and, taking with him those who were
disciples, held discussions daily in Tyrannus's lecture-hall. (WEY). ...
/t/tyrannus's.htm - 6k

Tyrannus (1 Occurrence)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. TYRANNUS. ti-ran'-us ... Greek city. Tyrannus may
have been (1) a Greek rhetorician or (2) a Jewish rabbi. (1 ...
/t/tyrannus.htm - 8k

School (3 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. SCHOOL. skool (schole). See TYRANNUS. Multi-Version
Concordance School (3 Occurrences). John 7:15 The Jews were astonished. ...
/s/school.htm - 9k

Obstinate (12 Occurrences)
... congregation. So Paul left them, and, taking with him those who were disciples,
held discussions daily in Tyrannus's lecture-hall. (WEY NIV). ...
/o/obstinate.htm - 10k

Lecture (2 Occurrences)
... congregation. So Paul left them, and, taking with him those who were disciples,
held discussions daily in Tyrannus's lecture-hall. (WEY NIV). ...
/l/lecture.htm - 7k

Lecture-hall (1 Occurrence)
... So Paul left them, and, taking with him those who were disciples, held discussions
daily in Tyrannus's lecture-hall. (WEY). Lecture, Lecture-hall. Led . ...
/l/lecture-hall.htm - 6k

Grew (133 Occurrences)
... congregation. So Paul left them, and, taking with him those who were disciples,
held discussions daily in Tyrannus's lecture-hall. (WEY). ...
/g/grew.htm - 34k

Withdrew (55 Occurrences)
... and disobedient, speaking evil of the Way before the multitude, he departed from
them, and separated the disciples, reasoning daily in the school of Tyrannus. ...
/w/withdrew.htm - 22k

Tyrannized (1 Occurrence)

/t/tyrannized.htm - 6k

Tyranny (4 Occurrences)

/t/tyranny.htm - 7k

Resources
What happened on Paul's third missionary journey? | GotQuestions.org

What is a seminary? | GotQuestions.org

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Tyrannized
Top of Page
Top of Page