Ῥωμαῖος (Rhōmaios)
Rhōmaios
Roman
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 12 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The adjective Rhōmaios simply means "Roman," referring to someone or something belonging to the city of Rome. In the New Testament, it appears twelve times, primarily in the Gospel of John and the Acts of the Apostles. It serves as a straightforward descriptor for people, laws, or authorities associated with the Roman Empire.
Thayer’s Lexicon notes that the term originally denoted a resident of the city itself, though its usage in Scripture often extends to broader Roman identity or citizenship. For instance, it identifies the diverse crowd in Jerusalem during Pentecost as including those from Rome (Acts 2:10) and describes the legal rights Paul invokes as a citizen (Acts 16:37-38). The word grounds the narrative in its historical political reality without adding theological nuance.
Its significance lies in its function as a marker of imperial power and legal status. By using this specific term, the biblical authors connect the spread of the Gospel directly to the structures of the Roman world. It reminds readers that the early Christian message was proclaimed within a society governed by Roman law and authority, highlighting the intersection of divine purpose and earthly empire.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word Rhōmaios simply identifies someone as Roman, linking the biblical narrative to the political reality of the first century. It appears in passages where believers interact with imperial authority, reminding us that the Gospel spread within a structured world governed by law and power. This historical context shows that faith does not exist in a vacuum but engages directly with the societies we inhabit.
For your life today, this term highlights how Christians navigate civil structures while remaining faithful to Christ. It invites reflection on how legal rights and social customs intersect with spiritual witness. The early church operated under Roman rule, yet its message transcended political boundaries, offering hope that extends beyond earthly jurisdictions.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 12 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- a Roman5×
- Romans4×
- with Romans1×
- from Rome,1×
- Romans,1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- Ῥωμαῖός3×
- Ῥωμαίοις2×
- Ῥωμαῖοί1×
- Ῥωμαῖος1×
- Ῥωμαῖον1×
- Ῥωμαῖοι,1×
- Ῥωμαῖοι1×
- Ῥωμαίων,1×
- Ῥωμαίους1×
Key Verses
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Acts 16:37
But Paul said to them, “They have beaten us publicly without a trial, men who are Romans, and have cast us into prison! Do they now release us secretly? No, most certainly, but let them come themselves and bring us out!”
Paul asserts his Roman citizenship to challenge the illegal beating he received, showing how legal status protected the spread of the Gospel.
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Acts 22:25
When they had tied him up with straps, Paul asked the centurion who stood by, “Is it lawful for you to scourge a man who is a Roman, and not found guilty?”
Paul questions the legality of scourging a Roman citizen without trial, emphasizing the protection afforded by his identity before unjust authorities.
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John 11:48
If we leave him alone like this, everyone will believe in him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation.”
The religious leaders fear that Jesus' miracles will provoke Roman intervention, illustrating how political power viewed the early Christian movement as a threat to stability.