Topical Encyclopedia
Geographical Context:Spain, known in ancient times as Hispania, is located on the Iberian Peninsula in southwestern Europe. It is bordered by the Mediterranean Sea to the south and east, the Atlantic Ocean to the northwest and southwest, and the Pyrenees Mountains to the northeast, which separate it from France. The region's strategic location made it a significant area for trade and cultural exchange in the ancient world.
Biblical References:Spain is mentioned explicitly in the New Testament, specifically in the writings of the Apostle Paul. In his epistle to the Romans, Paul expresses his intention to visit Spain as part of his missionary journeys.
Romans 15:24 states, "I hope to see you while passing through and to be helped on my journey there by you, if first I may enjoy your company for a while." Furthermore, in
Romans 15:28 , Paul reiterates his plan: "So after I have completed this service and have safely delivered this bounty to them, I will set off to Spain by way of you."
Historical and Cultural Significance:During the Roman Empire, Spain was a significant province known for its wealth and resources, including silver mines and agricultural products. The Roman influence in Spain was profound, contributing to the development of infrastructure, cities, and culture. The region was also a melting pot of various peoples and cultures, including the Iberians, Celts, Phoenicians, and Carthaginians, before becoming fully integrated into the Roman Empire.
Christianity in Spain:The early spread of Christianity to Spain is not detailed in the Bible, but tradition holds that the Apostle Paul may have reached Spain, fulfilling his expressed desire. The presence of Christian communities in Spain is attested by the early church fathers and councils, indicating that the faith took root relatively early in the region. By the time of the Visigothic Kingdom in the 5th and 6th centuries, Christianity had become well-established in Spain.
Theological Implications:Paul's mention of Spain in his epistle to the Romans highlights the expansive vision of the early Christian mission. It underscores the apostolic commitment to spreading the Gospel to the "ends of the earth" (
Acts 1:8), reflecting the universal scope of the Christian message. Spain, as a distant and significant part of the Roman Empire, represented the far-reaching ambition of the early church to evangelize beyond the familiar territories of the Eastern Mediterranean.
Legacy:The mention of Spain in the New Testament serves as a testament to the early church's missionary zeal and the geographical breadth of its mission. While there is no biblical record of Paul's journey to Spain, the reference in Romans has inspired generations of Christians to pursue missionary work and evangelism across the globe. Spain's later history as a center of Christian scholarship and its role in the spread of Christianity to the New World further reflect the enduring impact of the apostolic mission envisioned by Paul.
Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary
Spainrare; precious
Smith's Bible Dictionary
Spain1 Macc. 8:3; (Romans 15:24,28) The local designation, Tarshish, representing theTartessus of the Greeks, probably prevailed until the fame of the Roman wars in that country reached the East, when it was superseded by its classical name. The mere intention of St. Paul to visit Spain (whether he really did visit it is a disputed question. --ED.) implies two interesting facts, viz., the establishment of a Christian community in that country, and that this was done by Hellenistic Jews resident there. The early introduction of Christianity into that country is attested by Irenaeus and Tertullian.
ATS Bible Dictionary
SpainComprehended, in ancient usage, the modern kingdoms of Spain and Portugal, that is, the whole Spanish peninsula. In the time of Paul, it was subject to the Romans, and was frequented by many Jews. For the supposed origin of its name, seeCONEY. InRomans 15:24,28, Paul expresses his intention of visiting Spain; and many conjecture that he did so between his first and second imprisonments at Rome, about A. D. 64-66.
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Paul expresses his intention (
Romans 15:24, 28) to visit Spain. There is, however, no evidence that he ever carried it into effect, although some think that he probably did so between his first and second imprisonment. (see
TARSHISH.)
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
SPAINspan (Spania): The country in the Southwest of Europe which still bears this name. It was Paul's purpose, as stated inRomans 15:24, 28, to visit Spain. If, as is probable, he ultimately carried out this intention, it must have been after a release from his first imprisonment. Clement of Rome speaks of the apostle as having reached "the extreme limit of the West" (Epistle of Clement, v).
SeePAUL, THE APOSTLE;TARSHISH.
Greek
4681. Spania --Spain, a peninsula of SW Europe...Spain, a peninsula of SW Europe. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration:
Spania Phonetic Spelling: (span-ee'-ah) Short Definition:
Spain Definition
...779. askos -- a leather bottle, wineskin
... leather. In Spanish means a , a , and a . InSpain wine is still brought
to market in pig-skins" (M. Vincent). Word Origin a prim....
Library
Port ofSpain
... CHAPTER IV: PORT OFSPAIN. The first thing notable, on landing in Port of
Spain at the low quay which has been just reclaimed from...
Epistle cxx. To Claudius inSpain .
... Epistle CXX. To Claudius inSpain . To Claudius inSpain [78] . Gregory
to Claudius, &c. The renown of good deeds being fragrant...
Gratian Elects Theodosius ofSpain to Reign with Him, Arianism...
... Book VII. Chapter II."Gratian elects Theodosius ofSpain to reign with him, Arianism
prevails throughout the Eastern Churches except that of Jerusalem....
A Supplementary Chapter to the Bible inSpain
A Supplementary Chapter to the Bible inSpain. <. A Supplementary
Chapter to the Bible inSpain George Borrow. Edited...
A Supplementary Chapter to the Bible inSpain
A Supplementary Chapter to the Bible inSpain. <.... A SUPPLEMENTARY
CHAPTER TO THE BIBLE INSPAIN. Does Gibraltar, viewing...
Report of Mr. Geo. Borrow's Late Proceedings inSpain
... Report of Mr. Geo. Borrow's late Proceedings inSpain. LONDON, October 17,
1836. On the 16th of January I quitted Badajoz, a Spanish...
Providential Preparations for the Discovery of America --Spiritual...
... CHAPTER I. PROVIDENTIAL PREPARATIONS FOR THE DISCOVERY OF AMERICA"SPIRITUAL REVIVAL
THROUGHOUT CHRISTENDOM, AND ESPECIALLY IN THE CHURCH OFSPAIN....
Mr. G. Borrow's Report on Past and Future Operations inSpain...
... Mr. G. Borrow's Report on Past and Future Operations inSpain (Endorsed: recd.
Nov. 28, 1838). LONDON, Novr. 1838. Having been requested...
A Supplementary Chapter to the Bible inSpain
A Supplementary Chapter to the Bible inSpain. <.... Title Page. A
SUPPLEMENTARY CHAPTER TO THE BIBLE INSPAIN. Inspired by...
The Adventures of Saint James ofSpain.
... CHAPTER SIX. THE ADVENTURES OF SAINT JAMES OFSPAIN. Saint James, the... her maiden.
They agreed that very night to fly toSpain. Pedrillo...
Thesaurus
Spain (2 Occurrences)... Easton's Bible Dictionary Paul expresses his intention (Romans 15:24, 28) to visit
Spain.
... (see TARSHISH.). Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
SPAIN.
...Pastoral
... evidence of Paul's release, afforded by such writers as Cyril of Jerusalem, Ephrem
Syriac., Chrysostom and Theodoret, all of whom speak of Paul's going toSpain...
Anise (1 Occurrence)
... The common dill, the Anethum graveolens, is an annual growing wild in the cornfields
ofSpain and Portugal and the south of Europe generally....
Sepharad (1 Occurrence)
... The modern Jews think thatSpain is meant, and hence they designate the Spanish
Jews "Sephardim," as they do the German Jews by the name "Ashkenazim," because...
Silver (329 Occurrences)
... It was brought in large quantities by foreign merchants from abroad, fromSpain
and India and other countries probably. Noah Webster's Dictionary....
Visit (97 Occurrences)
... been eager to pay you a visit, (WEY). Romans 15:24 whenever I journey toSpain,
I will come to you. For I hope to see you on my journey...
Tyre (59 Occurrences)
... neighbouring islands of the AEgean Sea, in Greece, on the northern coast of Africa,
at Carthage and other places, in Sicily and Corsica, inSpain at Tartessus...
Spades (9 Occurrences)
Passing (177 Occurrences)
... way, or an occasion for falling. (See NIV). Romans 15:24 whenever I journey
toSpain, I will come to you. For I hope to see you on...
Empire (8 Occurrences)
... Burgundians and Visigoths settled in Gaul; the latter established a kingdom
inSpain. The Vandals under Genseric settled first in...
Resources
What were the religious wars / wars of religion? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the Textus Receptus? | GotQuestions.orgWhat were the Inquisitions? | GotQuestions.orgSpain: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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