Ῥώμη (Rhōmē)
Rhōmē
Rome
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 14 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun Rhōmē simply means Rome, the capital city of the Roman Empire. It appears fourteen times in the New Testament, primarily in Acts and Paul’s letters to the Romans and Timothy. When the text mentions this name, it refers to the physical city itself rather than using it as a metaphor for power or strength.
Its usage highlights Rome’s central role in the early Christian narrative. In Acts, the apostle Paul plans to visit the city (Acts 19:21) and eventually travels there as a prisoner (Acts 23:11; 28:14). The letter to the Romans is addressed to believers living in this imperial center (Romans 1:7), while Second Timothy recalls how one supporter remained faithful even when others in Rome abandoned Paul (2 Timothy 1:17).
Though the word’s etymology connects to the Greek for "strength," the biblical writers use it strictly as a proper name. It grounds the gospel story in a specific historical location, showing that the message of Jesus reached the heart of the ancient world’s political power.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Rome in the New Testament is not a symbol of imperial power or abstract strength, but a real place where ordinary believers lived and loved. When Paul writes to the church there, he addresses them as saints who are already beloved by God. This simple fact reminds us that the gospel takes root in specific cities, among real people facing daily life.
Paul’s journey to Rome shows how faith moves through history. He was a prisoner, yet the Lord told him he would testify there. Later, when Paul wrote from prison again, he remembered Onesiphorus seeking him out in that same city. These stories ground our faith in reality. God uses ordinary locations and faithful people to carry His message forward.
Knowing this word helps us see that no place is too far for God’s grace. Whether you are in a major capital or a small town, your community is part of this wide story. The same Spirit who moved Paul now works among us, inviting us to trust Him in our own daily settings.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 14 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Rome11×
- Rome,2×
- Rome.1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- Ῥώμης5×
- Ῥώμῃ3×
- Ῥώμην3×
- Ῥώμης.¶1×
- Ῥώμης,1×
- Ῥώμην,1×
Key Verses
-
Acts 19:21
Now after these things had ended, Paul determined in the Spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, “After I have been there, I must also see Rome.”
Paul’s determination to see Rome shows the city was a key goal for spreading the gospel beyond Jerusalem.
-
Romans 1:7
to all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Paul greets believers in Rome as saints, showing they were already part of God’s family despite living in the empire’s heart.
-
Acts 23:11
The following night, the Lord stood by him and said, “Cheer up, Paul, for as you have testified about me at Jerusalem, so you must testify also at Rome.”
The Lord encourages Paul by promising he will testify in Rome, confirming the city’s role in his mission.
-
II Timothy 1:17
but when he was in Rome, he sought me diligently and found me
Onesiphorus’s search for Paul in Rome highlights how friends supported believers even during imprisonment and hardship.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Greek word Rhōmē mean?
Why is Rome important in the New Testament?
Does Rhōmē have a deeper spiritual meaning?
How many times does this word appear?
Every Occurrence (14 verses across 8 books)
Acts 5 verses
He found a certain Jew named Aquila, a man of Pontus by race, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla,…
Acts 19:21Now after these things had ended, Paul determined in the Spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go…
Acts 23:11The following night, the Lord stood by him and said, “Cheer up, Paul, for as you have testified about me at Jerusalem,…
Acts 28:14where we found brothers, and were entreated to stay with them for seven days. So we came to Rome.
Acts 28:16When we entered into Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard, but Paul was allowed to…