Χίος (Chios)
Chios
Chios
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun Chios refers to a specific geographical location: an island in the Aegean Sea situated between Samos and Lesbos, just off the western coast of Asia Minor. The name itself is traditionally interpreted as meaning "snowy," likely referencing the white peaks visible from the sea. In the New Testament, this place appears only once, serving as a brief but distinct stop on a journey.
This single occurrence is found in Acts 20:15, where the Apostle Paul’s travel narrative notes that he sailed past Chios after leaving Miletus. The mention of the island helps readers visualize the precise route taken by the missionary party as they moved toward their next destination. It grounds the biblical account in real-world geography, showing how early Christian travel followed established maritime paths across the Mediterranean.
While the word carries no complex theological nuance, its presence reminds us that the spread of the gospel involved actual movement through known ancient ports and islands. The reference is purely locational, yet it connects the spiritual narrative to the physical world where these events unfolded.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
Acts 20:15 mentions Chios as a point on Paul’s journey. This small island in the Aegean Sea marks where he sailed past after leaving Miletus. The text notes that he came opposite Chios before moving toward Samos and Trogyllium.
Geography matters in Scripture. It shows that the gospel spread through real places and real roads. Paul’s travels were not abstract ideas but physical movements across known ancient ports.
This detail connects the spiritual story to the physical world. It reminds us that God uses actual journeys to unfold His plans. We can trust that He guides our steps too, even when the path seems long or uncertain.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Chios,1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- Χίου,1×
Key Verses
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Acts 20:15
Sailing from there, we came the following day opposite Chios. The next day we touched at Samos and stayed at Trogyllium, and the day after we came to Miletus.
This verse places Chios as a specific waypoint in Paul’s travel route, showing he sailed past it rather than landing, which highlights the precision of his journey toward Macedonia.