Topical Encyclopedia
The term "Macedonian" refers to the inhabitants of Macedonia, a significant region in the ancient world, particularly during the New Testament period. Macedonia was located in the northern part of Greece and played a crucial role in the spread of Christianity. The region is frequently mentioned in the New Testament, especially in the context of the Apostle Paul's missionary journeys.
Historical and Geographical ContextMacedonia was a powerful kingdom under the rule of Alexander the Great, who expanded its influence across much of the known world. By the time of the New Testament, Macedonia was a Roman province. Its major cities included Philippi, Thessalonica, and Berea, all of which are significant in the biblical narrative.
Biblical References1.
Paul's Missionary Journeys: Macedonia was a key area for Paul's missionary work. In
Acts 16:9-10 , Paul receives a vision of a man from Macedonia pleading for help, which leads him to travel there: "During the night, Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and pleading with him, 'Come over to Macedonia and help us.' As soon as Paul had seen the vision, we got ready to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them."
2.
Philippi: The city of Philippi was the site of the first Christian church in Europe. Paul and Silas preached there, and Lydia, a seller of purple goods, became the first convert (
Acts 16:14-15). The Philippian church is later addressed in Paul's Epistle to the Philippians, where he commends them for their generosity and partnership in the gospel (
Philippians 1:3-5).
3.
Thessalonica: Paul also established a church in Thessalonica, which faced persecution. His letters to the Thessalonians, 1 and 2 Thessalonians, provide insight into the early church's struggles and Paul's teachings on the return of Christ (
1 Thessalonians 1:6-7).
4.
Berea: The Bereans are noted for their noble character, as they received the message with eagerness and examined the Scriptures daily to verify Paul's teachings (
Acts 17:11).
Cultural and Religious InfluenceThe Macedonian churches were known for their generosity, particularly in supporting the Jerusalem church during a time of need. Paul highlights their sacrificial giving in
2 Corinthians 8:1-5 , where he writes, "And now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the churches of Macedonia. In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity."
Significance in Early ChristianityMacedonia's strategic location and the establishment of strong Christian communities there were instrumental in the spread of the gospel throughout Europe. The Macedonian churches served as models of faith, perseverance, and generosity, and their interactions with Paul provide valuable lessons for the Christian faith.
ConclusionThe Macedonian region and its people played a pivotal role in the early Christian church, as evidenced by their frequent mention in the New Testament. Their response to the gospel and their support of Paul's ministry highlight the transformative power of the Christian message and the importance of community and generosity in the life of the church.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
a.) Belonging, or relating, to Macedonia.
2. (n.) A native or inhabitant of Macedonia.
3. (n.) One of a certain religious sect, followers of Macedonius, Bishop of Constantinople, in the fourth century, who held that the Holy Ghost was a creature, like the angels, and a servant of the Father and the Son.
Greek
3110. Makedon -- aMacedonian, an inhabitant of Macedonia... a
Macedonian, an inhabitant of Macedonia. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine
Transliteration: Makedon Phonetic Spelling: (mak-ed'-ohn) Short Definition: a
...2895. krabattos -- a camp bed
... 2895 -- a small bed used by the poor; "" () a rude pallet made of thick padded quilt
or mat" (M. Vincent); "aMacedonian word (Lat ) for a bed, pallet, or...
708. Aristarchos -- "best leader," Aristarchus, a Christian of...
... Aristarchus. From the same as ariston and archo; best ruling; Aristarchus, a
Macedonian -- Aristarchus. see GREEK ariston. see GREEK archo....
1050. Gaios -- Gaius, the name of several Christian
... Noun, Masculine Transliteration: Gaios Phonetic Spelling: (gah'-ee-os) Short Definition:
Gaius Definition: Gaius, (a) a Corinthian, (b) aMacedonian, (c) a...
959. Bernike -- Berenice, Bernice, daughter of Herod Agrippa I
... Word Origin aMacedonian form of phero and nike Definition Berenice, Bernice, daughter
of Herod Agrippa I NASB Word Usage Bernice (3). Bernice....
Library
Table ofMacedonian Months
... Supplementary Notes and Tables. Table ofMacedonian Months.... The names of the months
were as follows:"Macedonian. Roman.Macedonian. Roman. 1. Gorpi??us....
Eunomius Supersedes Eleusius theMacedonian in the See of Cyzicus...
... Book IV. Chapter VII."Eunomius supersedes Eleusius theMacedonian in the See of
Cyzicus, His Origin and Imitation of A?�tius, whose Amanuensis he had been....
Excursus on the Heresies Condemned in Canon I.
... In treating of these heresies I shall invert the order of the canon, and shall speak
of theMacedonian and Apollinarian heresies first, as being most nearly...
The First of the Martyrs of Palestine was Procopius...
... [2619] The majority of the mss. read "eighth," which according to Eusebius'
customary mode of reckoning theMacedonian months is incorrect....
1 Thessalonians i. 10-Aug
... captive. For the actions of theMacedonian king exceeded all report, who, setting
out from a little city indeed, yet subdued the world....
Of Theodosius and Agapetus Bishops of Synada.
... Phrygia Pacata; he violently persecuted the heretics in that province"and there
was a great number of them"and especially those of theMacedonian sect; he...
Discovery of the Honored Head of the Forerunner of Our Lord, and...
... [1562] It is said that it was discovered by some monks of theMacedonian heresy,
who originally dwelt at Constantinople, and afterwards fixed their abode in...
Discovery of the Relics of Forty Holy Martyrs.
... A woman by name Eusebia, [1623] who was a deaconess of theMacedonian sect, had
a house and garden without the walls of Constantinople, in which she kept the...
Fragment xvii. On the Fortunes of Hyrcanus and Antigonus, and on...
... Up to this time the Lagid?? ruled; and the whole duration of theMacedonian empire
after the subversion of the Persian power was 298 years....
How the Jews were Crucified Before the Walls of the City...
... 3. In the mean time Antiochus Epiphanes came to the city, having with him a
considerable number of other armed men, and a band called theMacedonian band about...
Thesaurus
Macedonian (4 Occurrences)...Macedonian (4 Occurrences).
... There was a
Macedonian who was standing, entreating him
and saying, "Come over into Macedonia and help us." (WEY DBY).
...Macedonia (23 Occurrences)
... Standard Bible Encyclopedia. MACEDONIA. mas-e-do'-ni-a (Makedonia, ethnic Makedon,):
I. THEMACEDONIAN PEOPLE AND LAND II.... I. TheMacedonian People and Land....
Macedo'nian (2 Occurrences)
Macedo'nian.Macedonian, Macedo'nian. Macedonians . Multi-Version Concordance...
Macedonian, Macedo'nian. Macedonians . Reference Bible.
Philippians (2 Occurrences)
... "This was a characteristic of theMacedonian missions, as 2 Corinthians
8 and 9 amply and beautifully prove. It is remarkable that...
Thessalonica (8 Occurrences)
... both by Herodotus (vii.121;, 179;) and by Thucydides (i0.61; ii.29), but that its
chief importance dates from about 315 BC, when theMacedonian king Cassander...
Navigate (2 Occurrences)
... Acts 27:2 And going on board a ship of Adramyttium about to navigate by the places
along Asia, we set sail, Aristarchus, aMacedonian of Thessalonica, being...
Launched (5 Occurrences)
... Acts 27:2 And entering into a ship of Adramyttium, we launched, meaning to sail
by the coasts of Asia; one Aristarchus, aMacedonian of Thessalonica, being...
Lanched (5 Occurrences)
... Acts 27:2 And entering into a ship of Adramyttium, we lanched, meaning to sail by
the coasts of Asia, one Aristarchus, aMacedonian of Thessalonica, being with...
Greeks (22 Occurrences)
... Thus, in 1 Maccabees 1:1, Alexander the Great is spoken of as king of Greece, and
in 1 Maccabees 1:10 theMacedonian empire is called "the kingdom of the Greeks...
Grecians (4 Occurrences)
... Thus, in 1 Maccabees 1:1, Alexander the Great is spoken of as king of Greece, and
in 1 Maccabees 1:10 theMacedonian empire is called "the kingdom of the Greeks...
Resources
What is the Macedonian Call? | GotQuestions.orgDoes the Bible mention Alexander the Great? | GotQuestions.orgGotQuestions.org International | GotQuestions.orgMacedonian: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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Bible Encyclopedia •
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