from a compound of ἐκ and a derivative of καλέω; a calling out, i.e. (concretely) a popular meeting, especially a religious congregation (Jewish synagogue, or Christian community of members on earth or saints in heaven or both):--assembly, church.
### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek word ekklēsía (`{{G1577}}`) is a compound term derived from the preposition ek (out of) and a derivative of the verb kaleō (to call). Thus, its foundational meaning is "a calling out" or "those called out." In classical Greek, ekklēsía referred to a duly summoned assembly of citizens, particularly in a democratic city-state, gathered for public business. It was a secular term denoting an official, ordered gathering, not merely a random crowd.
Crucially, the Septuagint (LXX), the Greek translation of the Old Testament, frequently employed ekklēsía to translate the Hebrew qāhāl (`{{H6951}}`) and sometimes ʿēdâ (`{{H5712}}`). These Hebrew terms designate the "assembly" or "congregation of Israel," particularly as it gathered for religious purposes before the Lord, such as at Mount Sinai or for worship. This usage in the LXX provides a vital bridge, imbuing ekklēsía with a sacred, covenantal dimension that transcends its classical secular usage and profoundly shapes its meaning in the New Testament. In the New Testament, ekklēsía primarily refers to the community of believers in Jesus Christ, the "called out ones" of God.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term ekklēsía (`{{G1577}}`) appears over 100 times in the New Testament, most notably in the Gospels, Acts, and Pauline Epistles. Its usage demonstrates a rich semantic range:
1. **Secular Assembly:** In a few instances, ekklēsía retains its classical meaning of a secular public assembly or mob, as seen in the account of the riot in Ephesus ([[Acts 19:32]], [[Acts 19:39]], [[Acts 19:41]]). This demonstrates the word's inherent flexibility.
2. **Jewish Congregation:** In [[Acts 7:38]], Stephen refers to "the ekklēsía in the wilderness," clearly denoting the congregation of Israel that gathered around Moses. This usage explicitly links the New Testament concept of the church to the Old Testament assembly of God's people.
3. **Local Christian Congregation:** Most frequently, ekklēsía refers to a specific, local community of believers in a particular geographical area, such as "the church of God which is at Corinth" ([[1 Corinthians 1:2]]), "the churches of Galatia" ([[Galatians 1:2]]), or "the church in [Philemon's] house" ([[Philemon 1:2]]). These local assemblies are characterized by shared faith, worship, fellowship, and mission.
4. **Universal Christian Church:** Beyond local manifestations, ekklēsía also signifies the entire body of believers throughout the world and across time, the universal Church. Jesus' declaration, "I will build my ekklēsía" ([[Matthew 16:18]]), refers to this overarching spiritual reality. Paul frequently employs this sense, particularly in Ephesians and Colossians, where the church is described as Christ's body, with Him as the head ([[Ephesians 1:22-23]], [[Colossians 1:18]]). This universal ekklēsía transcends geographical and temporal boundaries, encompassing all who are "called out" by God's grace.
### Related Words & Concepts
Understanding ekklēsía (`{{G1577}}`) is enhanced by examining its relationship to other biblical terms and theological concepts:
* **Hebrew Equivalents:** The primary Hebrew terms translated by ekklēsía in the LXX are qāhāl (`{{H6951}}`) and ʿēdâ (`{{H5712}}`). Qāhāl often denotes a formal, summoned assembly, particularly of Israel before God (e.g., "the assembly of the Lord"), highlighting the continuity between Old Testament Israel and the New Testament Church as God's people.
* **Synagogē (`{{G4864}}`):** While ekklēsía can refer to a Jewish assembly in Acts, synagogē is the more common term for a Jewish gathering place or assembly. Early Christians often met in synagogues before forming their distinct ekklēsía. The distinction highlights the new identity of the Christian community.
* **Klētos (`{{G2822}}`):** Meaning "called" or "invited," this adjective directly relates to the "calling out" aspect of ekklēsía, emphasizing the divine initiative in gathering believers.
* **The Body of Christ:** This is a prominent Pauline metaphor for the Church ([[Romans 12:4-5]], [[1 Corinthians 12:12-27]], [[Ephesians 4:15-16]], [[Colossians 1:18]]). It emphasizes the organic unity of believers, their diverse gifts, and Christ's headship and life-giving presence within them.
* **The People of God:** This concept emphasizes the covenantal relationship between God and His chosen community, a lineage extending from Abraham through Israel to the Church ([[1 Peter 2:9-10]]).
* **The Kingdom of God:** While distinct, the ekklēsía is intimately related to the Kingdom of God. The Church is the primary instrument through which the Kingdom's values and presence are manifested on earth, and its members are citizens of that Kingdom.
* **The Household/Family of God:** This metaphor highlights the intimate relational aspect of the Church, emphasizing spiritual kinship and mutual care ([[Ephesians 2:19]], [[1 Timothy 3:15]]).
* **The Bride of Christ:** This eschatological image portrays the Church as the beloved object of Christ's affection and His future spouse ([[Ephesians 5:25-27]], [[Revelation 21:2]]).
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of ekklēsía (`{{G1577}}`) is profound and multifaceted:
1. **Divine Initiative and Election:** The core meaning of "called out" underscores that the Church is not a human institution or voluntary association but a divinely initiated gathering. God, through His sovereign grace, calls individuals out of darkness into His marvelous light, constituting them as His people ([[1 Peter 2:9]]). This highlights God's active role in salvation and the formation of His community.
2. **Christ's Ownership and Headship:** Jesus explicitly states, "I will build my ekklēsía" ([[Matthew 16:18]]), asserting His ownership and authority over it. As the "head of the body, the church" ([[Colossians 1:18]]), Christ provides its life, direction, and purpose. The Church's existence and vitality are entirely dependent on Him.
3. **Continuity and New Covenant Identity:** The New Testament's use of ekklēsía, echoing the LXX's translation of qāhāl, signifies a profound continuity between Old Testament Israel and the New Testament Church. The Church is the new covenant people of God, inheriting the promises and fulfilling the purposes originally given to Israel, now expanded to include both Jews and Gentiles in Christ.
4. **Unity in Diversity:** As the "body of Christ," the ekklēsía is characterized by both essential unity in Christ and a rich diversity of members, gifts, and functions. This unity is spiritual, forged by the Holy Spirit, transcending social, ethnic, and economic distinctions ([[Galatians 3:28]], [[Ephesians 4:4-6]]).
5. **Mission and Witness:** The ekklēsía is called out not merely for its own sake but for a divine purpose: to worship God, to foster fellowship among believers, to make disciples of all nations, and to be a witness to God's redemptive work in the world ([[Matthew 28:19-20]], [[Acts 1:8]]). It is the visible manifestation of God's presence and activity on earth.
6. **Eschatological Hope:** The Church is not just an earthly phenomenon but possesses an eternal, heavenly dimension. It encompasses believers on earth and the saints in heaven, awaiting its ultimate perfection and glorification when Christ returns as the Bridegroom for His Bride ([[Ephesians 5:27]], [[Revelation 21:2]]).
### Summary
The Greek word ekklēsía (`{{G1577}}`), transliterated as *ekklēsía*, fundamentally signifies "a calling out" or "those called out." While rooted in the classical Greek concept of a summoned public assembly, its meaning in the New Testament is profoundly shaped by its use in the Septuagint to translate the Hebrew "congregation of Israel" (qāhāl `{{H6951}}`).
In the New Testament, ekklēsía refers both to specific, local gatherings of Christian believers (e.g., "the church at Corinth") and to the universal, spiritual body of all believers throughout history and across the globe, of which Christ is the head. This dual usage underscores its nature as a divinely constituted community. Theologically, ekklēsía emphasizes God's sovereign initiative in calling a people for Himself, Christ's ownership and headship over this community, its continuity with Old Testament Israel, its essential unity in diversity, and its divine mission to bear witness to the Kingdom of God until Christ's return. It is the redeemed people of God, distinct from the world yet sent into it, living out God's purposes on earth.
TRV