Ἄρειος Πάγος (Areios Pagos)
Areios Pagos
Areopagus
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The term Areopagus refers to a rocky hill in ancient Athens situated near the Acropolis, which served as the meeting place for the city’s highest judicial council. Its name translates literally to "Hill of Ares," honoring the Greek god of war, and it functioned as both a physical location and the institution itself.
In the New Testament, this site appears only twice in Acts 17, marking a pivotal moment where the Apostle Paul engages with Athenian philosophers. The sources highlight that while the hill was historically associated with martial themes, by the first century it represented intellectual authority and legal judgment, providing a stage for Paul to address the "Unknown God" before a diverse audience of Stoic and Epicurean thinkers.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Areopagus was more than just a rocky hill in ancient Athens; it was the center of intellectual and legal life for the city. Here, Paul did not retreat from difficult questions but stood before philosophers to share the gospel. This shows that faith is not meant to be hidden away but offered openly, even in places where our views might differ from those around us.
When we face cultural or intellectual challenges today, we can look to this example. It invites us to engage with curiosity and respect, seeking understanding rather than just winning an argument. The message of Christ is relevant everywhere, including the modern equivalents of that ancient council.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Hill2×
- Ares2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- Ἄρειον1×
- Ἀρείου1×
- πάγου1×
- πάγον1×
Key Verses
-
Acts 17:19
They took hold of him and brought him to the Areopagus, saying, “May we know what this new teaching is, which you are speaking about?
This verse highlights the formal invitation Paul received to explain his message, showing how the Areopagus functioned as a forum for serious inquiry rather than immediate rejection.
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Acts 17:22
Paul stood in the middle of the Areopagus and said, “You men of Athens, I perceive that you are very religious in all things.
Paul’s opening statement acknowledges the Athenians’ religiosity, demonstrating a respectful approach that builds common ground before introducing new theological concepts.