Ekklesia was used in the Greek city-states for a political gathering — the assembly of citizens who were called out from their homes to vote on legislation and transact other public business. The words agora and paneguris as well as heorte, koinon, thiasos, sunagoge and sunago can all mean an assembly. Together, they literally mean “to call out” and refer to “the called-out ones” or the “selected ones”. 2:14; 2 Pet. In the ancient Mediterranean world, the word ekklesia was used in various ways and for various types of both political and unofficial, or semi-public institutions. For Jews, it was one of seventeen Greek words used for what we today translate as synagogue. An ekklesia or 'calling out' was not just an assembly. As Stanley puts it, “You can lock the doors of a kirche. It is not an unassembled assembly. Church just has too many meanings to it like Rome is a ekklesia not a church (I see the word church as a biulding like the word oikos). Ïιῶν — 7 Occ. The English word "church" descends from an Old English word cirice, akin to an Old High German word, kirihha. Ek which means; "out from" or "away from" and klesia which means “the called. The meaning of "Ku-ri-a-kos" is understood by its root: "Ku- ri-os," which means "lord." Our English word “church” is derived from the Greek word kuriakon, which means “belonging to a lord.” eÍkklhsiða. All rights reserved. Ekklesia Series // Ekklesia in the Home T he most foundational New Testament principle for the Ekklesia is found the Greek word, “oikos” which means household. It is quite possible that some who have fallen under the influence of a few scholars who have a restricted view of the Greek term ekklesia need some moderation and balance in their discussions of this important biblical word. The word Ekklesia was designed by Solon to protect the law from being changed or misinterpret by the rich and powerful. Many Christians believe that ekklesia and church are the same - THEY ARE NOT! FACT: Jesus said He would build an ekklesia - not church. ©2020. “Ekklesia” (pronounced “ek” ‘leh” “see” “ah”) is a Greek word to reflect our move out of the corporate world to heed a call to secure our local culture, well-paying jobs, and community engagement by partnering with business owners to grow and strengthen their companies … Lesson Title: The Ekklesia of God. "The NAS New Testament Greek Lexicon". The noted British scholar, Nigel Turner, described the first-century ekklesia as “an invited concourse of people” (1981, 68; emphasis added). Not all compound nouns are defined by the two words that comprise them. Original Word. Ekklesia literally means “the called out ones.” It also was the proper name of the governing bodies of independent Greek city-states. 3:15). 2 The first instances come in the Law of Moses. In other words, both ideas, “out of the world” and “summoned to assemble,” are inherent in the original word. Our entire false par adigm of a New Testament non-Hebrew grace-based church-age as something completely separate from an Old Testament works-based Hebrew religion comes almost exclusively from our usage of one word. The word 'church' in the New Testament is translated from the Greek word 'ekklesia' which comes from two words 'ek' meaning 'out' and 'kaleo' meaning to 'call.' ISSN: 1559-2235. The ecclesia or ekklesia (Greek: ἐκκλησία) was the assembly of the citizens in the democratic city-states of ancient Greece. Eventually a German word, kirche, was substituted for ekklesia. Most likely Jesus spoke Aramaic, a Semitic language. 16:18, to which appeal is so often made, consists solely and simply in this process of separating and concentrating His band of disciples (526). The Greek term for “church” is ekklesia (found 114 times in the New Testament). The word ekklesia in Greek means, “called out ones.” Called-out from what, and Respectable scholarship does not rule out viable options that may vary from their preference. A kirche (church) is a location while an ekklesia (church) is a purposeful, often powerful gathering of people united by identity and purpose. were very much aware of that word ekklesia. In 594 BC, Solon allowed all Athenian citizens to participate, regardless of class, except thetes. The Greek word we’re talking about is one found in the Greek translation of Mathew’s writing where he recounts the event where Jesus said He would build His “church” (Matthew 16:18). "What Is the Meaning of Ekklesia?" The word ekklesia in Greek means, “called out ones.” Called-out from what, and for what purpose? What we end up with is an entire Bible written in Greek. The word ekklesiais the original Greek Word, it was used in the Septuagint. Jesus was the King and the Bible used the term ekklesia for a good reason. In the third edition of his Historical Grammar, A. T. Robertson stated that “originally ekklesia was a ‘calling out’ of the people,” but “that usage soon passed away.” He opted for “assembly,” but conceded that there are New Testament passages “where the idea of assembly is impossible,” e.g., Acts 8:3 (1919, 174; emphasis added). Ekklesia literally means “the called out ones.” It also was the proper name of the governing bodies of independent Greek city-states. Ekklesia is an assembly of people to make decisions about war and foreign policies. “Ekklesia and Etymology.”. And when 2 or 3 of you gather together, He comes to be in your midst. According to the Encyclopedia Britannica: In the New Testament, "ecclesia" (signifying convocation) is the only single word used for church. We believe that the final 2520 days are near and the Ekklesia of God will be called upon to shine God’s light in a very dark world and at a very dark time. 18 And Y seie to thee, that thou art Petre, And I say to you, that you are Petre In the New Testament context, the word is employed in four senses: For years gospel preachers have called attention to the etymology of ekklesia. Thayer and Smith. Ek-Klesia is actually two Greek words. In this case, “ekklesia” is the English transliteration of a koine Greek word. That usage soon disappeared and was replaced with "assembly, congregation, council", or "convocation". Peter responded, confessing Jesus as “the Christ, the Son of God.” The Lord pronounced a blessing upon his apostle and declared that upon this “rock” (the truth of that declaration) he would build his church. 1:22; 1 Tim. In itself then, the word ekklesia has no spiritual meaning. So ekklesiameans to be called out, and obviously Christ is the one that's calling us out. 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