Βιθυνία (Bithunia)
Bithunia
Bithynia
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
Bithynia was a Roman province situated in the northwest corner of Asia Minor, bounded by the Black Sea to the north and the Propontis to the south. The name itself is thought to derive from a term meaning "a violent rushing," likely referencing the region’s turbulent rivers or coastal storms.
In the New Testament, this geographic location appears only twice. Acts 16:7 records Paul’s attempt to preach in Bithynia being blocked by the Spirit, redirecting his mission toward Macedonia. In 1 Peter 1:1, the apostle addresses Christians scattered across Bithynia, among other provinces, highlighting how the gospel had reached even these distant, northern communities.
The word serves as a marker of the early church’s expansion into the far reaches of the Roman Empire. Its brief mention underscores the widespread nature of Christian communities in the first century, stretching from Jerusalem to the edges of Asia Minor.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
Bithynia was a Roman province in northwest Asia Minor, near the Black Sea. The name likely comes from a word meaning "violent rushing," perhaps describing the region’s rough rivers or stormy coast. In the New Testament, this place is mentioned only twice, yet it tells us something important about how the early church grew.
In Acts 16:7, Paul and his team tried to preach there, but the Spirit stopped them. This shows that God guides our steps, even when plans change. Later, in 1 Peter 1:1, Peter writes to Christians living in Bithynia. This means the gospel had reached far-off places, bringing hope to people in distant provinces.
These brief mentions remind us that faith travels beyond familiar borders. Whether you are near or far, the message of Jesus reaches everyone. It is a comfort to know that your community is part of this wide, growing family of believers across the world.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Bithynia,1×
- Bithynia1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- Βιθυνίας,1×
- Βιθυνίαν1×
Key Verses
-
Acts 16:7
When they had come opposite Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit didn’t allow them.
This verse shows the Spirit actively redirecting Paul’s mission away from Bithynia toward Macedonia.
-
I Peter 1:1
Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the chosen ones who are living as foreigners in the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,
Peter includes Bithynia in his greeting to show that Christian communities had been established there.