"intrans. to be a citizen; trans. to govern a city or state, administer the affairs of a state; pass. to be governed; in NT to order one’s life and conduct, converse, live, in a certain manner as to habits and principles, Acts 23:1; Phil. 1:27*"
Definition and meaning
intrans. to be a citizen; trans. to govern a city or state, administer the affairs of a state; pass. to be governed; in NT to order one’s life and conduct, converse, live, in a certain manner as to habits and principles, Acts 23:1; Phil. 1:27*
In the original Greek the word is written: πολιτεύομαι
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 politeuomai (G4176) across the King James Bible.
And Paul, earnestly beholding the council, said, Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.
Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;
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Common questions
Strong's G4176 (politeuomai) is a Greek word that means: intrans. to be a citizen; trans. to govern a city or state, administer the affairs of a state; pass. to be governed; in NT to order one’s life and conduct, converse, live, in a certain manner as to ha... It appears 2 times in the King James Bible.
The word politeuomai (G4176) appears 2 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G4176 is politeuomai, a Greek word defined as: intrans. to be a citizen; trans. to govern a city or state, administer the affairs of a state; pass. to be governed; in NT to order one’s life and con. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
politeuomai is a Greek word found in the New Testament.