from πολίτης ("polity"); citizenship; concretely, a community:--commonwealth, freedom.
Transliteration:politeía
Pronunciation:pol-ee-ti'-ah
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek term politeía (`{{G4174}}`) derives from polítēs (`{{G4177}}`), meaning "citizen." At its core, politeía signifies "citizenship," encompassing the legal status, rights, and privileges associated with belonging to a particular political community or state. Beyond this individual status, it can also refer concretely to the "commonwealth" itself, the body of citizens, or the political structure of a society. Its semantic range thus spans from the individual's legal standing to the collective entity of a governed people. It implies a structured order, a set of laws, and a shared identity within a defined polity.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word politeía appears twice in the New Testament, each instance offering a distinct yet related nuance:
1. **[[Acts 22:28]]**: In this passage, Paul asserts his Roman citizenship to the Roman commander, stating, "With a large sum I acquired this citizenship (πολιτείαν)." Here, politeía refers directly to the legal and political status of being a Roman citizen, which granted specific rights and protections, such as immunity from certain forms of punishment and the right to appeal to Caesar. This usage highlights the earthly, legal, and practical implications of politeía in the context of the Roman Empire.
2. **[[Ephesians 2:12]]**: This verse describes the former spiritual condition of the Gentiles before Christ: "remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth (πολιτείας) of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world." In this context, politeía takes on a metaphorical and theological meaning. "The commonwealth of Israel" refers not to a political state in the usual sense, but to the unique covenant community of God's chosen people. To be "alienated from the commonwealth of Israel" meant to be outside the sphere of God's special revelation, promises, and redemptive plan, lacking the spiritual privileges and hope afforded to Israel. This usage emphasizes the spiritual exclusion that was overcome through Christ.
### Related Words & Concepts
Politeía (`{{G4174}}`) is part of a family of Greek words related to civic life and citizenship:
* **Polítēs (`{{G4177}}`)**: "Citizen," the individual member of the politeía.
* **Politeúomai (`{{G4172}}`)**: "To live as a citizen," "to conduct oneself as a citizen," or "to behave in accordance with the laws of the state." This verb emphasizes the *action* or *lifestyle* befitting a citizen.
* **Políteuma (`{{G4173}}`)**: Often translated as "citizenship" or "commonwealth," but can also refer to the *form of government* or, significantly, to one's *heavenly citizenship* (as in [[Philippians 3:20]], "our citizenship is in heaven"). While closely related to politeía, políteuma in some contexts carries a stronger emphasis on the collective body of citizens or the spiritual reality of one's belonging.
* **Covenant**: The concept of the "commonwealth of Israel" in [[Ephesians 2:12]] is intrinsically linked to God's covenants with Abraham and Moses, which established Israel's identity and relationship with God.
* **Kingdom of God**: For believers, the ultimate "commonwealth" or "polity" is the Kingdom of God, where Christ reigns and believers are its subjects and citizens.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of politeía primarily emerges from its use in [[Ephesians 2:12]]. This verse profoundly articulates the former spiritual condition of Gentiles as "alienated from the commonwealth of Israel." This alienation meant exclusion from the redemptive history, the covenant promises, and the unique relationship God had established with Israel. It underscored a state of spiritual hopelessness and separation from God.
However, the context of Ephesians 2 immediately pivots to the transformative work of Christ. Through His sacrifice, Christ "has made the two groups one" ([[Ephesians 2:14]]), breaking down the "dividing wall of hostility" that separated Jews and Gentiles. The result is that Gentiles, who were formerly "strangers and aliens," are now "fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God" ([[Ephesians 2:19]]). This signifies a radical act of divine inclusion, where believers, regardless of their former ethnic or religious identity, are brought into a new spiritual politeía—the church, which is the body of Christ and the new Israel.
This spiritual citizenship carries immense privilege: access to God's presence, participation in His promises, and a shared identity within His family. It also implies responsibility: a call to live a life consistent with the values and laws of this heavenly commonwealth, reflecting the character of its King. Thus, politeía moves beyond a mere legal status to encapsulate the profound reality of belonging to God's redeemed community, united in Christ.
### Summary
The Greek word politeía (`{{G4174}}`) signifies "citizenship" or "commonwealth." While it can refer to an earthly, legal status as seen in Paul's Roman citizenship ([[Acts 22:28]]), its most profound theological application is found in [[Ephesians 2:12]]. Here, it describes the former spiritual alienation of Gentiles from the "commonwealth of Israel," meaning their exclusion from God's covenant people and promises. Through Christ's atoning work, this barrier was removed, and Gentiles are now brought into this spiritual politeía, becoming "fellow citizens with the saints" ([[Ephesians 2:19]]). This transformation highlights God's gracious inclusion of all believers into His redeemed community, emphasizing a new identity, shared spiritual privileges, and the unity found in Christ that transcends all former divisions. Politeía thus powerfully conveys the concept of belonging to God's sacred community, a citizenship granted by divine grace.
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