Νικόλαος (Nikolaos)
Nikolaos
Nicolaus
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The name Nikolaos means "victor of the people," combining words for victory and nation. It appears only once in the New Testament, identifying a specific individual in Acts 6:5.
He was a Hellenistic Jew from Antioch who became a proselyte before joining the early church. The apostles chose him as one of the seven deacons to manage daily distributions, ensuring fairness and allowing the leaders to focus on prayer and teaching.
While later tradition sometimes incorrectly linked this Nikolaus to the Nicolaitans mentioned in Revelation, the biblical text presents no such connection. Here he is simply a servant leader appointed for his wisdom and faith.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Nikolaos means "victor of the people," yet in Acts 6:5, this victory is shown through humble service. Nicolaus was a proselyte from Antioch chosen by the early church to help distribute food fairly. His appointment highlights that leadership in the Christian community is not about status, but about meeting practical needs with wisdom and faith.
This example invites us to consider how our own gifts can serve others. Whether managing resources or supporting daily tasks, faithful service strengthens the whole body. It reminds us that God uses ordinary acts of care to build a healthy, united church.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Nicolas1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- Νικόλαον1×
Key Verses
-
Acts 6:5
These words pleased the whole multitude. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch,
This verse identifies Nicolaus as a proselyte from Antioch, showing the early church's inclusive nature by appointing a Gentile-convert to a key leadership role alongside Hebrew believers.