Δερβαῖος (Derbaios)
Derbaios
Derbe
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The adjective derbaios simply means "of or from Derbe," identifying someone as a native or inhabitant of that specific city. It functions as a geographic label rather than carrying deep theological weight or abstract meaning. In the New Testament, this form appears only once, in Acts 20:4.
Here it describes Sopater, one of Paul’s companions traveling from Derbe. This single occurrence helps readers locate Sopater’s origin within the broader narrative of Paul’s missionary journeys. The word itself does not suggest any particular character trait or spiritual status; it merely anchors a person to a place in the ancient world.
Its rarity highlights how the biblical text often uses such precise local identifiers to ground its stories in real geography. By naming Derbe, the author connects the movement of people to specific locations on the map, reminding readers that these events happened in actual towns with actual inhabitants.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word Derbaios is a simple geographic label meaning "from Derbe." It appears only once in the New Testament, identifying Gaius as an inhabitant of that specific city. There is no hidden theological code or spiritual metaphor here; it is just a name on a map.
This single mention reminds us that the Gospel spread through real towns and real people. When we read about companions like Gaius, Sopater, or Timothy, we see ordinary individuals moving across the ancient world. Their origins matter because they show how widely the early church reached.
For your faith, this word offers a quiet comfort. You are part of a story that spans geography and culture. God uses everyday places and people to advance His purposes. Your own location and background are not obstacles but potential starting points for sharing hope with others around you.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- of Derbe1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- Δερβαῖος1×
Key Verses
-
Acts 20:4
These accompanied him as far as Asia: Sopater of Beroea, Aristarchus and Secundus of the Thessalonians, Gaius of Derbe, Timothy, and Tychicus and Trophimus of Asia.
This verse identifies Gaius as being from Derbe, anchoring him geographically within the group of Paul's traveling companions.