Bible Location
Meaning: same as Philip · 4 cross references · Modern-day map available
Philippi was the Roman colony in Macedonia where Paul founded the first church in Europe. It is important because of Lydia's conversion, the imprisonment and release of Paul and Silas, and the later New Testament letter to the Philippians. First appears in Acts 16:12.1
Place meaning
same as Philip
Coordinates
41.01, 24.28
First appears
Acts 16:12
AI summary: Philippi is one of the most important cities in the Acts mission story. There Paul crosses into Europe, baptizes Lydia, endures imprisonment, witnesses a jailer's conversion, and establishes a church that would later become one of his warmest correspondents. The Roman character of the colony also sharpens the contrast between imperial power and gospel citizenship. The cross references present Philippi as a landmark city of mission breakthrough, suffering, joy, and enduring partnership.1
Place meaning
same as Philip
Latitude
41.01
Longitude
24.28
Bible references
4
Formerly Crenides, “the fountain,” the capital of the province of Macedonia. It stood near the head of the Sea, about 8 miles north-west of Kavalla. It is now a ruined village, called Philibedjik. Philip of Macedonia fortified the old Thracian town of Crenides, and called it after his own name Philippi (B.C. 359-336). In the time of the Emperor Augustus this city became a Roman colony, i.e., a military settlement of Roman soldiers, there planted for the purpose of controlling the district recently conquered. It was a “miniature Rome,” under the municipal law of Rome, and governed by military officers, called duumviri, who were appointed directly from Rome. Having been providentially guided thither, here Paul and his companion Silas preached the gospel and formed the first church in Europe. (See LYDIA.) This success stirred up the enmity of the people, and they were “shamefully entreated” (Acts 16:9-40; 1 Thess. 2:2). Paul and Silas at length left this city and proceeded to Amphipolis (q.v.). 3
Source note: this 1893 dictionary language reflects its period and may be culturally insensitive or outdated. It is presented as historical source material, not as ai-BIBLE’s language, interpretation, or endorsement.
AI-assisted summary prepared for ai-BIBLE and stored as page content, based on dictionary material, place metadata, and linked Bible cross references.
Alistair de Blacquiere-Clarkson, “ai-BIBLE Bible Names JSON Factsheet Aggregating Material from Smith’s Bible Dictionary & Hitcocks’s New and Complete Analysis of the Bible.” ai-BIBLE electronic edition, version 1.0.
M.G.Easton, Illustrated Bible Dictionary, ai-BIBLE electronic edition, version 1.0.
Robert Rouse, “Theographic Bible Information,” Theographic-Bible-Metadata, 2020, https://github.com/robertrouse/theographic-bible-metadata.