"pr. one who uses the language and follows the customs of the Greeks; in NT a Jew by blood, but a native of a Greek-speaking country, Hellenist, Acts 6:1; 9:29; 11:20*"
Definition and meaning
pr. one who uses the language and follows the customs of the Greeks; in NT a Jew by blood, but a native of a Greek-speaking country, Hellenist, Acts 6:1; 9:29; 11:20*
In the original Greek the word is written: Ἑλληνιστής
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 hellenistes (G1675) across the King James Bible.
And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.
And he spake boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus, and disputed against the Grecians: but they went about to slay him.
And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, which, when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the Grecians, preaching the Lord Jesus.
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Common questions
Strong's G1675 (hellenistes) is a Greek word that means: pr. one who uses the language and follows the customs of the Greeks; in NT a Jew by blood, but a native of a Greek-speaking country, Hellenist, Acts 6:1; 9:29; 11:20* It appears 3 times in the King James Bible.
The word hellenistes (G1675) appears 3 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G1675 is hellenistes, a Greek word defined as: pr. one who uses the language and follows the customs of the Greeks; in NT a Jew by blood, but a native of a Greek-speaking country, Hellenist, Acts 6. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
hellenistes is a Greek word found in the New Testament.