The Greek word mētrópolis, represented by G3390, is defined as a mother city or metropolis, often translated as chiefest city. It appears 1 time in 1 unique verse in the Bible. The term is a compound of the words for mother (μήτηρ) and city (πόλις), indicating a city of primary importance or status.
The single appearance of G3390 is found in a subscription note at the end of the first epistle to Timothy. The verse identifies Laodicea as the chiefest city of Phrygia Pacatiana 1 Timothy 6:21. This usage is geographical and descriptive, establishing the prominence of the city from which the letter was believed to have been written.
Several related words from its context help clarify its meaning:
- G2993 Laodíkeia (Laodicea, a place in Asia Minor): This is the proper name of the city being identified as the chiefest city. It is mentioned multiple times, often in relation to the church located there (Revelation 1:11, Colossians 4:16).
- G2076 estí (he (she or it) is): This verb of being provides the simple, direct assertion that Laodicea is the chiefest city, stating it as a fact of its status 1 Timothy 6:21. The word is used throughout scripture to declare what something is, such as faith being the substance of things hoped for Hebrews 11:1.
- G4413 prōtos (foremost... chief(-est), first): This word, used in the same verse to describe the epistle as the "first to Timothy," shares a similar concept of primacy and importance. It can denote being chief, as when Paul identifies himself as the chief of sinners 1 Timothy 1:15.
- G1125 gráphō (to "grave", especially to write): This word confirms the context of the letter, stating it was written from Laodicea 1 Timothy 6:21. This verb is fundamental to the concept of scripture itself, as in the phrase "It is written" Matthew 4:4.
The significance of G3390 is primarily geographical and contextual rather than theological.
- Establishing Provenance: The term's sole use is to establish the origin and importance of the location from which the epistle to Timothy was written G1125. It grounds the letter in a real-world location of known prominence 1 Timothy 6:21.
- City Status: mētrópolis assigns a status of regional importance to Laodicea G2993. This designation as a "chiefest city" implies it was a center of administration or influence in its region 1 Timothy 6:21.
- Ascribing Prominence: The word functions to describe a place of high rank. In the same way the epistle is identified as the first G4413 to Timothy, the city is identified as the chiefest, giving context to its role in the early church's communication network 1 Timothy 6:21.
In summary, G3390 mētrópolis is a highly specific term used once in scripture to denote a chiefest city. Its singular appearance in a subscription to 1 Timothy 1 Timothy 6:21 gives a geographical marker, identifying Laodicea as a prominent regional center. While not a word with deep doctrinal implications, its usage provides valuable historical and contextual information, illustrating how the status of cities was recognized in the background of the New Testament narrative.
TRV