### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek term Καππαδοκία (Kappadokía), Strong's number `{{G2587}}`, refers exclusively to Cappadocia, a historical region located in the central-eastern part of Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey). As a proper geographical noun, its semantic range is fixed and denotes a specific territory rather than conveying a multifaceted meaning or abstract concept. It is derived from a foreign origin, indicating its non-Greek linguistic root, which is typical for many ancient place names. The region was known for its unique geological formations, including "fairy chimneys," and its strategic location, making it a significant crossroads in the ancient world.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term Καππαδοκία appears twice in the New Testament, each instance providing crucial insight into the early spread of the Gospel and the demographics of the early church.
1. **[[Acts 2:9]]**: During the Day of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit was poured out upon the apostles, devout Jews from "every nation under heaven" were present in Jerusalem. Among the diverse list of regions from which these individuals hailed, Cappadocia is explicitly mentioned: "Parthians and Medes and Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia..." This inclusion signifies that people from Cappadocia, whether native Jews or proselytes, were among the first witnesses to the miraculous outpouring of the Spirit and the apostles' speaking in various tongues. Their presence underscores the immediate, universal reach of the Pentecost event, demonstrating that the Gospel message began to transcend geographical and ethnic boundaries from its very inception.
2. **[[1 Peter 1:1]]**: The Apostle Peter addresses his first epistle to "elect exiles of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia." This salutation indicates that by the time Peter wrote his letter (likely mid-to-late 1st century AD), established Christian communities existed in Cappadocia, alongside other regions of Asia Minor. The designation "elect exiles" (παρεπιδήμοις διασπορᾶς) highlights the identity of these believers as chosen by God yet living as temporary residents in a world that was not their ultimate home. The fact that Peter specifically names Cappadocia suggests a significant Christian presence there, likely stemming from the Pentecost attendees who returned home with the Gospel, or through subsequent missionary endeavors. This verse provides evidence of the early church's expansion beyond Jerusalem and into the broader Roman Empire.
### Related Words & Concepts
As a geographical term, Καππαδοκία is primarily related to other regions mentioned in conjunction with it, particularly those forming part of Asia Minor or the Roman Empire.
* **`{{G4193}}` Pontus, `{{G1053}}` Galatia, `{{G773}}` Asia, `{{G978}}` Bithynia**: These are other regions in Asia Minor frequently mentioned together with Cappadocia, especially in [[1 Peter 1:1]], indicating a shared context of early Christian communities.
* **`{{G1290}}` Diaspora (διασπορά)**: The concept of "Dispersion" is intimately linked to the Jewish communities from which many early converts came, including those from Cappadocia. Peter's address to "elect exiles of the Dispersion" highlights this connection.
* **`{{G2636}}` κατά (kata)** and **`{{G3956}}` πᾶς (pas)**: The phrase "every nation under heaven" (κατὰ πᾶσαν ἔθνος) in [[Acts 2:5]] encapsulates the universal scope of the Pentecost event, in which Cappadocia played a part.
* **`{{G4043}}` περιπατέω (peripateō)**: While not directly related to the word itself, the concept of "walking" or "living" as an "exile" (παρεπιδήμοις) in the world, as described for the Christians in Cappadocia, is a key theological theme.
### Theological Significance
The mention of Cappadocia in the New Testament, though brief, carries significant theological weight.
1. **Universal Reach of the Gospel**: The presence of Cappadocians at Pentecost demonstrates that God's plan of salvation was not confined to Israel but was immediately intended for all nations. The Holy Spirit empowered the apostles to communicate the Gospel across linguistic and cultural barriers, signaling the inauguration of a new era of global evangelism. Cappadocia serves as an early example of the Gospel's power to transcend geographical limitations.
2. **Early Church Expansion and Diversity**: The existence of Christian communities in Cappadocia by the time of Peter's epistle underscores the rapid and widespread growth of the early church. It illustrates the effectiveness of early missionary efforts and the establishment of vibrant, diverse congregations across the Roman world. These communities, though geographically distant from Jerusalem, were integral to the body of Christ, receiving pastoral instruction and encouragement from the apostles.
3. **Identity of Believers as "Exiles"**: Peter's address to the Christians in Cappadocia as "elect exiles" (παρεπιδήμοις) conveys a profound theological truth about the identity of believers. It highlights their dual citizenship – chosen by God, yet living as sojourners in a fallen world. This theme encourages perseverance, hope, and a focus on their heavenly inheritance, even amidst trials and persecution. Cappadocia, as a specific location, grounds this universal theological concept in the lived experience of early believers.
### Summary
Καππαδοκία (Kappadokía), Strong's number `{{G2587}}`, is a geographical proper noun referring to a region in central Asia Minor. Its two occurrences in the New Testament are highly significant. In [[Acts 2:9]], its inclusion among the nations present at Pentecost highlights the immediate, universal scope of the Holy Spirit's outpouring and the Gospel's reach to diverse peoples. In [[1 Peter 1:1]], Cappadocia is listed as a region with established Christian communities, indicating the rapid expansion of the early church and the pastoral concern of the apostles for believers living as "elect exiles" in the world. Thus, Cappadocia, though merely a place name, serves as a tangible marker in the biblical narrative for the global spread of Christianity and the early identity of believers as God's chosen people dispersed among the nations.
TRV