Achaia
Summary
A Roman province comprising southern Greece, including Corinth, where Paul established a significant church and from which he wrote several epistles.
☩Geographic and Political Extent
In the New Testament period, Achaia was a Roman province that included the whole of the Peloponnesus and the southern portion of mainland Greece, with Corinth as its capital. Under the Romans, Greece was divided into two provinces: Macedonia in the north and Achaia in the south. Originally, 'Achaia' designated only a narrow strip along the southern shore of the Corinthian Gulf, but after Rome destroyed the Achaean League in 146 BC, the name was applied to all of southern Greece.
☩Paul's Ministry
Paul visited Achaia on his second missionary journey, spending eighteen months at Corinth establishing the church there. It was during this time that the Jews brought him before Gallio, the proconsul of Achaia, who refused to adjudicate religious disputes. Paul mentions 'the firstfruits of Achaia'—the household of Stephanas—who devoted themselves to ministry. The believers of Achaia were noted for their generous contribution to the collection for the poor saints in Jerusalem.
☩The Churches of Achaia
Paul addresses letters to 'the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints who are in all Achaia,' indicating congregations throughout the province. These believers faced challenges of division, immorality, and confusion about spiritual gifts, but also demonstrated remarkable generosity and zeal. From Achaia, Paul wrote his epistle to the Romans, and to Achaia he wrote his two letters to the Corinthians.
Related Verses12 mentions
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Achaia," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. I (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Achaia," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. I (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 3.James Hastings (ed.), "Achaia," in Dictionary of the Apostolic Church, vol. I (T. & T. Clark, 1915–1918).