of uncertain affinity; Hellas (or Greece), a country of Europe:--Greece.
Transliteration:Hellás
Pronunciation:hel-las'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek term G1671 (Hellás) refers to the geographical region known as Greece. Its base definition points to the country itself, not the people or the broader cultural sphere, although it is intrinsically linked to Hellenic identity. In the New Testament, its semantic range is strictly geographical, denoting a specific landmass within the Roman Empire. It is distinct from the more encompassing concept of "Hellenism" or the people groups referred to as "Greeks."
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word G1671 (Hellás) appears only once in the New Testament, in the book of Acts:
* [[Acts 20:2]]: "And when he had gone through those parts and had given them much encouragement, he came to Greece."
This verse describes a stage in Paul's third missionary journey. After leaving Macedonia, Paul traveled south into the region of Greece. This period, lasting three months, likely centered in Corinth, a major city within the Roman province of Achaia, which largely corresponded to the geographical area of Greece. The mention of "Greece" here serves to delineate the geographical extent of Paul's evangelistic and pastoral work, indicating that his ministry reached beyond the northern regions of Macedonia into the heartland of classical Greek civilization. It signifies a distinct administrative and geographical territory from Macedonia, though both were integral parts of the Hellenistic world under Roman rule.
### Related Words & Concepts
The term G1671 (Hellás) is closely related to several other Greek words that illuminate the broader context of Hellenism in the New Testament:
* `{{G1672}}` (Hellēn): A Greek person, often used to denote a Gentile in contrast to a Jew (e.g., [[Romans 1:16]]).
* `{{G1675}}` (Hellēnis): A Greek woman or a Greek-speaking person (e.g., [[Acts 17:12]]).
* `{{G1676}}` (Hellēnistikos): Pertaining to Greek culture or language, Hellenistic.
* `{{G1677}}` (Hellēnistēs): A Hellenist, specifically a Greek-speaking Jew (e.g., [[Acts 6:1]]).
* `{{G1678}}` (Hellēnisti): In the Greek language or manner (e.g., [[John 19:20]]).
These related terms underscore the pervasive influence of Greek language, culture, and thought throughout the Roman Empire, particularly in the eastern Mediterranean. While G1671 refers to the physical land, these cognates speak to the people, their language, and their cultural identity, which formed a significant backdrop for the early spread of the Gospel. The distinction between the land and the people/culture is crucial for precise interpretation.
### Theological Significance
The singular mention of G1671 (Hellás) in the New Testament, though geographical, carries significant theological weight within the narrative of Acts. It signifies the expansion of the Gospel into one of the most intellectually and culturally influential regions of the ancient world. Greece, particularly cities like Athens (visited earlier by Paul in [[Acts 17]]) and Corinth, represented the zenith of classical philosophy, rhetoric, and polytheistic religion. The arrival of the Gospel in this land demonstrates:
1. **Universal Scope of the Gospel:** Paul's journey into Greece underscores the fulfillment of the Great Commission ([[Matthew 28:19-20]], [[Acts 1:8]]), taking the message of Christ "to the ends of the earth," which certainly included the prominent centers of Gentile civilization.
2. **Transcendence of Cultural Barriers:** The Gospel's penetration into Greece, a bastion of human wisdom and pagan worship, illustrates its power to transcend diverse cultural, intellectual, and religious barriers, offering salvation to all who believe, regardless of their background.
3. **Establishment of Key Churches:** Paul's time in Greece led to the establishment and strengthening of significant Christian communities, particularly in Corinth, which became a vital hub for early Christianity, as evidenced by his epistles to the Corinthians.
### Summary
The Greek word G1671 (Hellás) specifically denotes the geographical country of Greece, appearing once in [[Acts 20:2]]. This singular occurrence marks a crucial point in Paul's missionary endeavors, signifying the Gospel's expansion into a major cultural and intellectual center of the Roman world. While G1671 refers to the land, related terms like `{{G1672}}` (Hellēn) and `{{G1677}}` (Hellēnistēs) illuminate the broader context of Greek people and culture that the early church encountered. Theologically, the inclusion of Greece in the narrative of Acts powerfully illustrates the universal reach of the Gospel, demonstrating its capacity to transcend cultural and intellectual boundaries and establish Christian communities in diverse regions, thus fulfilling the divine mandate to preach Christ to all nations.
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