"an Epicurean, follower of the philosophy of Epicurus, Acts 17:18*"
Definition and meaning
an Epicurean, follower of the philosophy of Epicurus, Acts 17:18*
In the original Greek the word is written: Ἐπικούρειος
Historical context
The Roman Empire provided infrastructure no previous civilization had built — roads, sea routes, a common language in Greek, and relative peace across the Mediterranean. Jewish synagogues existed in every major city, giving Paul a starting point everywhere he traveled. The early church had no buildings, no political power, no social standing — and spread faster than any movement in ancient history.
The people who first heard this word were not reading a book — they were living through empires, oppression, exile, and covenant. Every word carried the weight of that reality. Understanding it changes how you read Scripture.
Scripture references
These are the most notable occurrences of epikoureios (G1946) across the King James Bible.
Then certain philosophers of the Epicureans, and of the Stoicks, encountered him. And some said, What will this babbler say? other some, He seemeth to be a setter forth of strange gods: because he preached unto them Jesus, and the resurrection.
Refiner gives you the full lexicon entry, AI-powered verse insight, historical commentary, cross-references, and voice study — all in one place.
Free to start · Disciple $4.99/mo · Shepherd $9.99/mo
Common questions
Strong's G1946 (epikoureios) is a Greek word that means: an Epicurean, follower of the philosophy of Epicurus, Acts 17:18* It appears 1 times in the King James Bible.
The word epikoureios (G1946) appears 1 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G1946 is epikoureios, a Greek word defined as: an Epicurean, follower of the philosophy of Epicurus, Acts 17:18*. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
epikoureios is a Greek word found in the New Testament.