Lexical Summary Kilikia: Cilicia Original Word: Κιλικία Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Cilicia. Probably of foreign origin; Cilicia, a region of Asia Minor -- Cilicia. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof uncertain origin Definition Cilicia, a province of Asia Minor NASB Translation Cilicia (8). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 2791: ΚιλικίαΚιλικία, Κιλικίας, ἡ, Cilicia, a province of Asia Minor, bounded on the north by Cappadocia, Lyesonia and Isauria, on the south by the Mediterranean, on the east by Syria, and on the west by Pamphylia. Its capital, Tarsus, was the birthplace of Paul: Acts 6:9; Acts 15:23, 41; Acts 21:39; Acts 22:3; Acts 23:34; Acts 27:5; Galatians 1:21. (Cf. Conybeare and Howson, St. Paul, i., 19ff; Lewin, St. Paul, i., 78f.) Topical Lexicon Geographical and Historical Overview Cilicia occupied the southeastern corner of Asia Minor, bounded by the Taurus Mountains to the north and the Mediterranean Sea to the south. Its well-watered coastal plain, known as Cilicia Pedias, was famous for rich alluvial soil, while its rugged western section, Cilicia Trachea, provided natural fortresses for pirates until Rome suppressed them under Pompey (circa 67 B.C.). The province controlled the Cilician Gates, a strategic mountain pass linking Syria with central Anatolia, making the region a vital military and commercial corridor in the first century. Cilicia in the Roman Era Under Roman administration Cilicia was joined with neighboring territories into a senatorial province but later placed under an imperial legate. Its capital shifted over time from Laodicea ad Mare to Tarsus, which became the cultural and political center. Tarsus boasted a renowned university that rivaled Athens and Alexandria, attracting students from across the empire. Scriptural Mentions and Narrative Contexts Acts and Galatians supply eight inspired references to Cilicia, each reinforcing the province’s importance in apostolic history. Apostolic Ministry Connections Cilicia was among the earliest regions to receive direct apostolic instruction. The circular letter delivered after the Jerusalem Council contained the foundational decision that Gentile converts were not obligated to keep the Mosaic law for salvation: “Since we have heard that some went out from us without our authorization… it seemed good to us, having come to unanimous agreement, to send men chosen by us” (Acts 15:24-25). The churches in Cilicia therefore stood as prototypes of Jew-Gentile fellowship grounded in gospel liberty. Paul’s Heritage and Training Paul’s identification—“I am a Jew from Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no ordinary city” (Acts 21:39)—highlights three formative elements: 1. Jewish heritage rooted in the Diaspora, giving him facility in both Scripture and Hellenistic culture. The Church in Cilicia and Early Christian Expansion Believers were present in Cilicia prior to Paul’s missionary journeys, likely planted by refugees of Acts 8:1-4 or visiting pilgrims from Pentecost. By the time Paul and Silas revisited (Acts 15:41), organized assemblies needed strengthening but were already functioning. These congregations formed a strategic bridgehead for evangelism into Asia Minor’s interior and the island of Cyprus immediately to the south. Doctrinal and Missional Implications 1. Authority of apostolic teaching: Cilicia’s churches willingly submitted to the Jerusalem decree, affirming Scripture’s unity across geographic lines. Lessons for the Church Today • Strategic placement: Modern missionaries can learn from Cilicia’s gateway position; key transit centers often yield widespread influence. Cilicia, though mentioned only eight times, emerges as a pivotal province where geography, culture, and divine providence converged to advance the gospel and shape the ministry of the apostle to the Gentiles. Forms and Transliterations Κιλικιαν Κιλικίαν Κιλικιας Κιλικίας Kilikian Kilikían Kilikias KilikíasLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Acts 6:9 N-GFSGRK: τῶν ἀπὸ Κιλικίας καὶ Ἀσίας NAS: and some from Cilicia and Asia, KJV: and of them of Cilicia and of Asia, INT: of those from Cilicia and Asia Acts 15:23 N-AFS Acts 15:41 N-AFS Acts 21:39 N-GFS Acts 22:3 N-GFS Acts 23:34 N-GFS Acts 27:5 N-AFS Galatians 1:21 N-GFS Strong's Greek 2791 |
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