Πάφος (Paphos)
Paphos
Paphos
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
Paphos was a significant maritime city located at the western tip of Cyprus. As the residence of the Roman proconsul, it served as the administrative center for the island during the first century. The sources note its location on the coast, highlighting its role as a hub for travel and governance in the region.
The name is traditionally interpreted to mean "boiling or hot," though its exact etymology remains uncertain. Historically, the area was famous for the worship of Aphrodite (Venus), with an older shrine situated several miles southeast of the Roman administrative center. This religious background provides context for the spiritual opposition Paul and Barnabas encountered there.
In the New Testament, Paphos appears only twice, both in Acts 13:6-13. These verses describe the apostles' journey to the island and their confrontation with the sorcerer Elymas before the proconsul Sergius Paulus. The brevity of these references underscores the city's specific role as a stage for this early missionary encounter rather than as a center of the early church itself.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
Paphos stands as a quiet but significant stop on the map of early Christian mission. Located at the western tip of Cyprus, it was a center of Roman governance and ancient religious tradition. For Paul and Barnabas, this journey was not merely geographical; it was a moment where the gospel met established power structures. The city’s history with idol worship provided a stark backdrop for their message, showing how faith often enters spaces defined by different spiritual authorities.
When they arrived in Paphos, they encountered Sergius Paulus, a Roman proconsul who sought to hear the word of God. This encounter highlights that the Christian message was intended for all levels of society, from common travelers to high-ranking officials. The story reminds us that divine truth can break through even the most entrenched systems of belief or power.
Though Paphos does not appear again in the New Testament as a church center, its role in Acts 13 is vital. It marks a turning point where Paul begins to take the lead in missionary work. For believers today, this history encourages us to see every new place and every new person as an opportunity for God’s light to shine, regardless of the surrounding culture.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Paphos2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- Πάφου2×
Key Verses
-
Acts 13:6
When they had gone through the island to Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew whose name was Bar Jesus,
This verse establishes Paphos as the setting for the first recorded confrontation between the apostles and spiritual opposition, introducing the sorcerer Bar Jesus.
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Acts 13:13
Now Paul and his company set sail from Paphos and came to Perga in Pamphylia. John departed from them and returned to Jerusalem.
This reference marks the departure from Paphos, signaling the end of their Cypriot ministry and the transition to mainland Asia Minor.