The meaning of “ἐκκλησία”
Understanding ekklēsía reveals the original theological depth often simplified in translation.
assembly, church. - a calling out, i.e. (concretely) a popular meeting, especially a religious congregation (Jewish syna...
ἐκκλησία
assembly, church. - a calling out, i.e. (concretely) a popular meeting, especially a religious congregation (Jewish synagogue, or Christian community of members on earth or saints in heaven or both)
Occurrences in the Bible
| Reference | Text | |
|---|---|---|
| Matthew 18:17 | “And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.” Word: ἐκκλησία (ekklēsía) | |
| 1 Corinthians 14:5 | “I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.” Word: ἐκκλησία (ekklēsía) | |
| Ephesians 5:24 | “Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.” Word: ἐκκλησία (ekklēsía) | |
| 1 Thessalonians 2:14 | “For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews:” Word: ἐκκλησία (ekklēsía) | |
| 2 Timothy 4:22 | “The Lord Jesus Christ be with thy spirit. Grace be with you. Amen. The second epistle unto Timotheus, ordained the first bishop of the church of the Ephesians, was written from Rome, when Paul was brought before Nero the second time. ” Word: ἐκκλησία (ekklēsía) |
Usage Statistics
Theological Word Study: Church
New Testament Usage
Meaning: Assembly, church
The Greek ekklesia (ἐκκλησία) means assembly or called-out ones—the gathering of believers. Christ builds His church (Matthew 16:18), the body of Christ comprising all the redeemed.