1219. démosios

Lexical Summary

démosios: Public, belonging to the people

Original Word: δημόσιος
Part of Speech: Adjective
Transliteration: démosios
Pronunciation: day-MOS-ee-os
Phonetic Spelling: (day-mos'ee-os)
KJV: common, openly, publickly
NASB: public, publicly
Word Origin: [from G1218 (δῆμος - assembly)]

1. public
2. (feminine singular dative case as adverb) in public

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

common, open, public.

From demos; public; (feminine singular dative case as adverb) in public -- common, openly, publickly.

see GREEK demos

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from démos
Definition
public
NASB Translation
public (3), publicly (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 1219: δημόσιος

δημόσιος, δημοσίᾳ, δημοσιον, especially frequent in Attic; belonging to the people or state, public (opposed to ἴδιος): Acts 5:18; in dative feminine δημοσίᾳ used adverbially (opposed to ἰδίᾳ) (cf. Winers Grammar, 591 (549) note), publicly, in public places, in view of all: Acts 16:37; Acts 18:28; δημόσιος καί κατ' οἴκους, Acts 20:20; (2 Macc. 6:10; 3Macc. 2:27; in Greek writings also by public authority, at the public expense).

Topical Lexicon

Meaning and Semantic Scope

The adverb conveyed by Strong’s Greek 1219 describes action carried out in full public view—openly, before the eyes of the community, and in contrast to what is done “in secret” or behind closed doors. Its sense is qualitative (the character of openness) rather than quantitative (size of audience). The word therefore highlights transparency, accountability, and courageous witness.

Occurrences in Acts

1. Acts 5:18 – “They arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail.” The authorities intend a humiliating display, yet the subsequent angelic release turns the public scene into testimony to God’s power.
2. Acts 16:37 – Paul insists on public vindication: “They have beaten us publicly without trial, men who are Roman citizens … And now are they going to send us away secretly? No!” The demand exposes injustice and protects the fledgling Philippian church from suspicion.
3. Acts 18:28 – Apollos “powerfully refuted the Jews in public debate, proving from the Scriptures that Jesus is the Christ.” Open exposition of Scripture becomes the means by which unbelief is challenged and Christ is proclaimed.
4. Acts 20:20 – Paul reminds the Ephesian elders, “I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was beneficial, and teaching you publicly and from house to house.” Healthy ministry balances public instruction with personal pastoral care.

The Public Sphere in Early Christian Mission
• Visibility of the Gospel: Believers were not content with private conviction; proclamation moved into synagogues, marketplaces, lecture halls, and civic courts (Acts 17:17; Acts 19:9).
• Accountability to Truth: By acting “publicly,” apostles invited scrutiny (1 Thessalonians 2:10), demonstrating confidence in the veracity of their message.
• Protection for New Converts: Paul’s appeal at Philippi secured legal recognition for the church, illustrating that public exposure could serve pastoral ends.
• Engagement with Culture: Apollos models reasoned, Scripture-based dialogue within the accepted Greco-Roman forum of debate, indicating that Christian witness need not retreat from intellectual arenas.

Old Testament and Rabbinic Background

Public reading of Torah (Nehemiah 8:3) and open proclamation by prophets (Jeremiah 7:2) formed a precedent for New Testament practice. The synagogue itself functioned as a community center where teaching was expected to be audible and examinable. Thus, the apostolic strategy resonated with Jewish expectations while confronting prevailing unbelief.

Theological Themes

1. Light versus Darkness: Public testimony aligns with Jesus’ declaration, “I have spoken openly to the world” (John 18:20). The motif underscores the moral imperative that truth seeks daylight.
2. Boldness (παρρησία): Public ministry is consistently linked with Spirit-given courage (Acts 4:31).
3. Suffering and Vindication: Open persecution (Acts 5:18; 16:22-24) anticipates open deliverance or justification, mirroring Christ’s trajectory from public crucifixion to public resurrection witness (Acts 1:3).
4. Edification of the Body: Corporate instruction strengthens unity and doctrine (Ephesians 4:11-13). Private teaching supplements but never replaces the gathered witness.

Principles for Contemporary Ministry
• Maintain Transparency: Ethical integrity requires that doctrine, finances, and leadership decisions be open to congregational and societal review.
• Seize Public Platforms: Modern equivalents—media, academia, civic events—afford opportunities for clear gospel articulation.
• Combine Public and Personal Work: Large-group proclamation must be matched by one-to-one discipleship, reflecting Paul’s dual approach in Acts 20:20.
• Use Legal Channels Wisely: Like Paul, believers may invoke civil rights to protect religious liberty and the mission of the church.
• Expect Opposition, Seek Boldness: Open witness often provokes resistance, yet Scripture couples public ministry with divine enablement (Philippians 1:28-30).

Summary

Strong’s 1219 portrays ministry conducted in the open arena of life. Whether exposing injustice, defending the faith, or building the church, the apostles understood that the saving message of Jesus Christ cannot remain private. Their example calls every generation to proclaim, teach, and live the gospel visibly—trusting that the God who works in public history will honor public faithfulness.

Forms and Transliterations

δημοσια δημοσία δημοσίᾳ demosia dēmosia demosíāi dēmosíāi

Englishman's Concordance

Acts 5:18 Adj-DFS
GRK: ἐν τηρήσει δημοσίᾳ
NAS: and put them in a public jail.
KJV: them in the common prison.
INT: in [the] jail public

Acts 16:37 Adv
GRK: Δείραντες ἡμᾶς δημοσίᾳ ἀκατακρίτους ἀνθρώπους
NAS: to them, They have beaten us in public without trial,
KJV: us openly uncondemned,
INT: Having beaten us publicly uncondemned men

Acts 18:28 Adv
GRK: Ἰουδαίοις διακατηλέγχετο δημοσίᾳ ἐπιδεικνὺς διὰ
NAS: the Jews in public, demonstrating
KJV: the Jews, [and that] publickly, shewing
INT: Jews he refuted publicly showing by

Acts 20:20 Adv
GRK: διδάξαι ὑμᾶς δημοσίᾳ καὶ κατ'
NAS: and teaching you publicly and from house to house,
KJV: have taught you publickly, and from
INT: to teach you publicly and to

Strong's Greek 1219
4 Occurrences

δημοσίᾳ — 4 Occ.