"the state of being a citizen; citizenship, the right or privilege of being a citizen, freedom of a city or state, Acts 22:28; a commonwealth, community, Eph. 2:12*"
Definition and meaning
the state of being a citizen; citizenship, the right or privilege of being a citizen, freedom of a city or state, Acts 22:28; a commonwealth, community, Eph. 2:12*
In the original Greek the word is written: πολιτεία
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 politeia (G4174) across the King James Bible.
And the chief captain answered, With a great sum obtained I this freedom. And Paul said, But I was free born.
That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:
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Common questions
Strong's G4174 (politeia) is a Greek word that means: the state of being a citizen; citizenship, the right or privilege of being a citizen, freedom of a city or state, Acts 22:28; a commonwealth, community, Eph. 2:12* It appears 2 times in the King James Bible.
The word politeia (G4174) appears 2 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G4174 is politeia, a Greek word defined as: the state of being a citizen; citizenship, the right or privilege of being a citizen, freedom of a city or state, Acts 22:28; a commonwealth, communit. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
politeia is a Greek word found in the New Testament.