The Greek word zḗtēma, represented by G2213, refers to a question or debate that arises from a search or investigation. It appears 5 times across 5 unique verses in the Bible. The term consistently denotes a matter of dispute or controversy, rather than a simple inquiry, often relating to law, custom, or religious doctrine.
In the book of Acts, G2213 is used to frame significant conflicts within the early church and its interactions with authorities. A foundational question arose from "dissension and disputation" over whether Gentiles needed to follow Mosaic customs, which prompted the apostles and elders to convene in Jerusalem Acts 15:2. The term is also used in legal contexts, such as when the Roman proconsul Gallio dismissed a complaint against Paul as a question of "words and names, and of your law" Acts 18:15. Similarly, another official noted that the accusations against Paul concerned questions of Jewish law, not Roman crimes Acts 23:29. The disputes also centered on core beliefs, including questions about Paul's testimony that Jesus was alive Acts 25:19.
Several related words help clarify the nature of the debates described by G2213:
- G3551 nómos (law): This word is frequently associated with G2213, indicating that many of the disputes were over the interpretation and application of religious law (Acts 18:15, Acts 23:29).
- G1485 éthos (custom): Paul acknowledges that King Agrippa is an expert in all the customs and questions among the Jews, linking these debates to established traditions and practices Acts 26:3.
- G4803 syzḗtēsis (disputation): This term describes the "mutual questioning" that often gave rise to a G2213. In Antioch, a "dissension and disputation" led to the formal question being sent to Jerusalem Acts 15:2.
- G1175 deisidaimonía (superstition): Festus describes the Jewish complaints against Paul as questions about their own superstition, highlighting how the disputes were viewed as matters of specific religious belief Acts 25:19.
The theological weight of G2213 lies in its role in documenting the defining controversies of the early church.
- Doctrinal Clarification: The first recorded use of the word marks a pivotal moment where the church formally addressed the question of salvation for the Gentiles, setting a precedent for resolving doctrinal disputes Acts 15:2.
- Church and State: The term is used by Roman officials to distinguish between religious questions and secular crimes, establishing a clear line between the jurisdiction of the state and the internal theological debates of the Jews and early Christians (Acts 18:15, Acts 23:29).
- Centrality of Christ: The disputes ultimately centered on the person and work of Jesus. The questions involved not only religious law but also Paul's affirmation that Jesus, who was dead, is alive Acts 25:19.
In summary, G2213 is a specific term used exclusively in Acts to signify a serious matter of controversy requiring resolution. It moves beyond a simple inquiry to represent a formal debate over foundational issues of law, custom, and doctrine. These "questions" were instrumental in shaping the identity of the early church as it defined its core beliefs and navigated its relationship with both Jewish tradition and Roman authority.
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