Lexical Summary Rhómé: Rome Original Word: Ῥώμη Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Rome. From the base of rhonnumi; strength; Roma, the capital of Italy -- Rome. see GREEK rhonnumi NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof Latin origin Definition Rome, the capital of Italy and the Rom. Empire (named after Romulus, the legendary founder) NASB Translation Rome (8). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4516: ῬώμηῬώμη, Ῥώμης, ἡ (on the article with it cf. Winers Grammar, § 18, 5b.; (on its derivation cf. Curtius, § 517; Vanicek, p. 1212; Pape, Eigennamen, under the word)), Rome, the renowned capital of Italy and ancient head of the world: Acts 18:2; Acts 19:21; Acts 23:11; Acts 28:14, 16; Romans 1:7, 15; 2 Timothy 1:17. (1 Macc. 1:10 1 Macc. 7:1; (Aristotle, Polybius, others).) (On Rome in St. Paul's time cf. BB. DD. under the word; Conybeare and Howson, Life and Epistles etc., chapter xxiv.; Farrar, Life and Work etc. chh. xxxvii., xliv., xlv.; Lewin, St. Paul, vol. ii, chapter vi.; Hausrath, Neutest. Zeltgesch. iii. 65ff; on the Jews and Christians there, see particularly Schürer, Die Gemeindeverfassung der Juden in Rom in d. Kalserzeit nach d. Inschriften dargest. (Leipz. 1879); Seyerlen, Enstehung as above with der Christengemeinde in Rom (Tübingen, 1874); Huidekoper, Judaism at Rome, 2nd edition, N. Y. 1877; Schaff, Hist. of the Chris. Chnrch (1882) vol. i, § 36.) Topical Lexicon Occurrences in the New Testament Acts 18:2; 19:21; 23:11; 28:14; 28:16; Romans 1:7; Romans 1:15; 2 Timothy 1:17. These eight references trace a line from the early missionary journeys of Paul, through his expressed longing, to his eventual arrival, confinement, and ministry in the imperial city. Historical Setting of First-Century Rome First-century Rome sat at the political, military, and economic center of the Mediterranean world, a metropolis of perhaps one million inhabitants. Its roads, laws, and common tongue made it the hub from which news—good or ill—could travel across the empire. Jewish communities were firmly established there by the second century B.C., providing fertile soil for the gospel. The expulsion under Emperor Claudius (Acts 18:2) momentarily scattered Jewish believers, yet also stirred wider proclamation among Gentiles. Rome in Apostolic Strategy Paul’s evangelistic horizon always extended to strategic centers. After fruitfulness in Asia and Greece, “Paul resolved in the Spirit… ‘After I have been there, I must also see Rome’” (Acts 19:21). He viewed the capital not merely as a terminus but as a springboard toward “Spain” (Romans 15:24). Rome represented the greatest possible amplification of the gospel’s voice. Divine Mandate to Testify in Rome The Lord Himself confirmed Paul’s strategy: “Take courage! As you have testified about Me in Jerusalem, so also you must testify in Rome” (Acts 23:11). Providence overruled human plots; chains became the vehicle transporting the apostle under armed guard to accomplish divine purpose. The Journey and Arrival After delays, shipwreck, and Maltese hospitality, “we came to Rome” (Acts 28:14). Two verses later Luke notes, “Paul was permitted to stay by himself, with a soldier to guard him” (Acts 28:16). This house arrest created a semi-free environment for preaching, letter-writing, discipling, and receiving visitors, demonstrating that the gospel “is not bound” (2 Timothy 2:9). The Roman Church Paul’s Epistle to the Romans shows a congregation already flourishing before any apostle arrived. He addresses “all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints” (Romans 1:7). The church was marked by faith “proclaimed all over the world” (Romans 1:8), yet still in need of apostolic teaching to strengthen unity among Jewish and Gentile believers. Their hospitality later refreshed the chained apostle: “There we found some brothers who invited us to spend the week with them” (Acts 28:14). Ministry Achievements in Rome 1. Evangelism among the Praetorian Guard and Caesar’s household (Philippians 1:13; 4:22). Supportive Believers and Personal Loyalty While some deserted Paul under pressure (Philippians 1:15–17; 2 Timothy 4:16), figures like Onesiphorus displayed exemplary devotion: “When he arrived in Rome, he searched diligently until he found me” (2 Timothy 1:17). Such loyalty underscores the calling to identify openly with suffering servants of Christ. Legal and Political Context Roman jurisprudence granted citizens rights of appeal; Paul utilized this privilege (Acts 25:11), thereby securing a hearing before Caesar and providing legal precedent for Christian presence in the capital. The initial trial seemingly ended in acquittal, but a later Neronian persecution may have led to Paul’s martyrdom, sealing his witness with blood. Theological Significance 1. Universal Reach: Rome symbolizes the gospel’s penetration to “the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8). Lessons for the Contemporary Church • Aim strategically: unreached centers today warrant intentional prayer, planning, and sending. Thus the New Testament’s eight mentions of Rome map a sovereignly directed mission, culminating in a vibrant witness at the heart of the empire and reminding every generation that the gospel is powerful to save in every place and circumstance. Forms and Transliterations Ρωμη Ῥώμῃ Ρωμην Ῥώμην Ρωμης Ῥώμης Rhome Rhōmē Rhṓmei Rhṓmēi Rhomen Rhōmēn Rhṓmen Rhṓmēn Rhomes Rhōmēs Rhṓmes Rhṓmēs Rome Rōmē Romen Rōmēn Romes RōmēsLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Acts 18:2 N-GFSGRK: ἀπὸ τῆς Ῥώμης προσῆλθεν αὐτοῖς NAS: to leave Rome. He came KJV: from Rome:) and came INT: out of Rome he came to them Acts 19:21 N-AFS Acts 23:11 N-AFS Acts 28:14 N-AFS Acts 28:16 N-AFS Romans 1:7 N-DFS Romans 1:15 N-DFS 2 Timothy 1:17 N-DFS Strong's Greek 4516 |
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