📖 Biblical Definition
Macedonian city on the Via Egnatia (the great Roman highway across Macedonia), about thirty miles west-southwest of Amphipolis and about thirty miles east of Thessalonica. Mentioned once in Acts: Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews (Acts 17:1). Like Amphipolis, Apollonia was a city through which Paul and Silas passed without recorded stopping on the way to Thessalonica. The two cities together (Amphipolis and Apollonia) mark the two intermediate stops on the three-day journey from Philippi to Thessalonica. The name Apollonia reflects the city's pagan dedication to the god Apollo; many cities in the Greco-Roman world bore this name. The patriarchal-Reformed reader notes the same substance as at Amphipolis: the Acts geography is precise; the Pauline strategic deliberation is evident; not every Macedonian city received the gospel-preaching ministry on the outward leg; the strategic choice of Thessalonica reflected the larger, more strategically located city with a substantial Jewish synagogue community. Apollonia would receive the gospel through later expansion from the established Macedonian churches.
📜 Webster 1828 Definition
Macedonian city on Via Egnatia between Amphipolis and Thessalonica; named for Apollo; Paul passed through without recorded stopping (Acts 17:1).
expand to see more
APOLLONIA, proper n. (NT place; Greek Apollonia, named for Apollo) Macedonian city on the Via Egnatia, about 30 miles west-southwest of Amphipolis and about 30 miles east of Thessalonica. Mentioned once in Acts: Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica (Acts 17:1). Like Amphipolis, passed through without recorded stopping. Two intermediate stops on the three-day journey from Philippi to Thessalonica. Pauline strategic deliberation: Thessalonica was the strategic target because of its larger size and substantial Jewish synagogue community.
📖 Key Scripture
Acts 17:1 — "Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews."
Acts 17:2 — "And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures."
Acts 17:4 — "And some of them believed, and consorted with Paul and Silas; and of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and of the chief women not a few."
1 Thessalonians 2:1 — "For yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in unto you, that it was not in vain."
⚠️ Modern Corruption
No major postmodern redefinition. The principal recovery is the same as Amphipolis: Pauline strategic deliberation about where to plant churches under Spirit-led wisdom.
expand to see more
Apollonia as a place name does not undergo lexical corruption. The principal contemporary recovery is the same as at Amphipolis: Pauline strategic deliberation about where to plant early churches under Spirit-led wisdom. The patriarchal-Reformed reader values the precision of the Acts narrative geography and the substantive strategic thinking behind the apostolic mission. The Lord's mission proceeds not by indiscriminate scattering of effort but by deliberate strategic placement of His apostles in cities where the gospel can take root and spread further.
🔗 Greek & Hebrew Roots
Acts 17:1; Macedonian city on Via Egnatia; passed through without stopping; Pauline strategic deliberation.
expand to see more
['Greek', 'G624', 'Apollonia', 'Apollonia (named for Apollo)']
['Greek', '—', 'Apollon', 'Apollo (Greek god)']
['Greek', 'G3588', 'Egnatia', 'Via Egnatia']
Usage
"Apollonia: Macedonian city on Via Egnatia, named for Apollo."
"Paul passed through without recorded stopping (Acts 17:1)."
"Pauline strategic deliberation about where to plant early churches."