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Διονύσιος (Dionusios)

Dionusios

Dionysius

G1354 · Greek · New Testament · 1 verses

Quick Reference

Language
Koine Greek
Testament
New Testament
Occurrences
1 verses
Root
—

Word Overview

Dionysios is a personal name meaning "devoted to Bacchus," the Greek god of wine and festivity. In the New Testament, it appears only once, referring to a specific individual mentioned in Acts 17:34.

This Dionysius was an Athenian and a member of the Areopagus, the ancient council that met on Mars Hill. He is notable for being one of the few people recorded as believing Paul’s message after his speech there, alongside a woman named Damaris. The name itself reflects the religious landscape of Athens at the time, where pagan devotion was common, making his conversion to Christianity a significant detail in the narrative.

Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).

What This Word Means for Your Faith

The name Dionysius means "devoted to Bacchus," the Greek god of wine and festivity. In Acts 17:34, we meet a man bearing this pagan name who becomes one of the first believers in Athens after hearing Paul speak on Mars Hill. His conversion shows that the gospel reaches people from every background, even those deeply rooted in traditional religious practices.

It is encouraging to remember that faith often grows in unexpected ways. Dionysius did not need to change his name to follow Christ; he simply opened his heart to the truth Paul proclaimed. This reminds us that God values sincere seeking over cultural labels or past associations.

How it's translated

How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.

  • [were] Dionysius1×

Forms in the text

The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.

  • Διονύσιος1×

Key Verses

  • Acts 17:34
    But certain men joined with him and believed, including Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris, and others with them.

    This verse records Dionysius as a member of the Areopagus who believed Paul's message, highlighting his role as an early Gentile convert in Athens.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the name Dionysius mean?

The name Dionysius comes from the Greek word for Bacchus, the god of wine and celebration. It was a common pagan name in ancient Greece, reflecting the religious culture of Athens at the time.

Who was Dionysius in the Bible?

Dionysius was an Athenian member of the Areopagus council who believed in Jesus after hearing Paul preach on Mars Hill. He is mentioned in Acts 17:34 alongside a woman named Damaris as one of the few recorded converts from that speech.

Why is Dionysius significant?

His significance lies in his background as a pagan with a name tied to false gods, yet he chose to follow Christ. This shows how the gospel can transform individuals regardless of their previous religious identity or cultural status.

Every Occurrence (1 verses across 1 books)

Acts 1 verse
Acts 17:34

But certain men joined with him and believed, including Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris, and others…