"pr. one in private life, one devoid of special learning or gifts, a plain person, Acts 4:13; 2 Cor. 11:6; ungifted, 1 Cor. 14:16, 23, 24*"
Definition and meaning
pr. one in private life, one devoid of special learning or gifts, a plain person, Acts 4:13; 2 Cor. 11:6; ungifted, 1 Cor. 14:16, 23, 24*
In the original Greek the word is written: ἰδιώτης
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 idiotes (G2399) across the King James Bible.
Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.
Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest?
If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad?
But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all:
But though I be rude in speech, yet not in knowledge; but we have been throughly made manifest among you in all things.
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Common questions
Strong's G2399 (idiotes) is a Greek word that means: pr. one in private life, one devoid of special learning or gifts, a plain person, Acts 4:13; 2 Cor. 11:6; ungifted, 1 Cor. 14:16, 23, 24* It appears 5 times in the King James Bible.
The word idiotes (G2399) appears 5 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G2399 is idiotes, a Greek word defined as: pr. one in private life, one devoid of special learning or gifts, a plain person, Acts 4:13; 2 Cor. 11:6; ungifted, 1 Cor. 14:16, 23, 24*. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
idiotes is a Greek word found in the New Testament.