Lexical Definition

‎Ἄρειος Πάγος‎ Áreios Págos (ar'-i-os pag'-os) Areopagus ^N:N-M-L
from (the name of the Greek deity of war) and a derivative of ‎πήγνυμι‎

Areopagus, Mars' Hill.

• rock of Ares, a place in Athens

Abbott-Smith

Ἄρειος Πάγος (T, Ἄριος Π.), -ου, ὁ,
Hill of Ares or Mars, Areopagus; also, the Court of Areopagus, the highest tribunal of Athens: Ac 17:19, 22.†

Abbott-Smith References

Liddell-Scott-Jones

Related to: Ἄρειος Πάγος [ᾰ], ον,

also α, ον [Refs 5th c.BC+]; Ionic dialect Ἀρήϊος, η, ο; Aeolic dialect Ἀρεύϊος [Refs 7th c.BC+]: (Ἄρης):— devoted to Ares, warlike, martial; in [Refs 8th c.BC+], mostly of warriors, Μενέλαος Ἀρήιος[Refs 8th c.BC+]; of arms, Ἀρήϊα τεύχεα δύω[Refs]; the Attic dialect form only in the phrase τεῖχος Ἄρειον[Refs 5th c.BC+] conflicts in real war, opposed to γυμνικοί,[Refs]; of a man, as substantive, warrior,[Refs 6th c.BC+]

__2 Ἄρειος Πάγος (also Ἄρεος, Ἄρηος), ὁ (i.e. μήν), name of month in Thessaly, [Refs]
__3 Ἄρειον πεδίον, = Campus Martius, [Refs 1st c.BC+] (also name of a plain in Thrace, [Refs 2nd c.BC+]; τῶν τελῶν τὸ καλούμενον Ἄρειον, = legio Martia, [Refs 2nd c.AD+]; Ἄρεια, τά, = ludi Martiales, [Refs 2nd c.AD+]
__4 Ἄρειον, τό, ={ξιφίον}, Ps.-[Refs 1st c.AD+]; ={ἰσάτις}, [Refs]
__II ={Ἄριος, Μάγοι καὶ πᾶν τὸ Ἄρειον γένος} [Refs 5th c.AD+]
__A Ἄρειος Πάγος πάγος [πᾰ], ὁ, the hill of Ares, at Athens, Ἀρήϊος π.[Refs 5th c.BC+]; εἰς τὸν Ἄ. πάγον ἀναβῆναι become a member of the court, [Refs 5th c.BC+]—The compound Ἀρειόπᾰγος only in a late Attic dialect Inscription, [Refs]; but we find the noun Ἀρεοπᾰγίτης (Ἀρευ- [Refs] ου, ὁ, Areopagite, [Refs 4th c.BC+] 'as silent as the grave', [Refs 4th c.AD+]:—adjective Ἀρεοπᾰγῖτις, βουλή[Refs 4th c.BC+]; Ἀρεοπᾰγῑτικός, ή, όν, [Refs 5th c.BC+]

Profile

Areopagus • A hill in Athens where Paul preached the gospel.

The Areopagus, a hill in Athens where Paul addressed the philosophers and preached about the unknown God.

• A location in Athens Ἀθῆναι first mentioned at Act.17.19;
• referred to as Areopagus Ἄρειος Πάγος, or Areopagite Ἀρεοπαγίτης.
  

The Areopagus, also known as Mars Hill, was a prominent hill located in the city of Athens, Greece. It served as a meeting place for the Athenian council, which was responsible for judicial and legislative matters in the city. The Areopagus is most notably mentioned in Acts 17 in connection with the Apostle Paul's visit to Athens during his second missionary journey.

According to Acts 17:19, some Epicurean and Stoic philosophers encountered Paul and brought him to the Areopagus to inquire about his teachings. They were intrigued by Paul's message about Jesus and the resurrection, which they considered to be foreign concepts.

Standing in the midst of the Areopagus, Paul delivered a powerful speech, addressing the religious and philosophical beliefs of the Athenians (Acts 17:22-31). He observed that the city was full of idols and even found an altar dedicated to an "unknown god." Paul used this as a starting point to proclaim the one true God, the Creator of all things, who is not confined to man-made temples or idols.

Paul's message at the Areopagus emphasized the sovereignty of God, the need for repentance, and the reality of the resurrection and coming judgment through Jesus Christ. While some mocked Paul's message, others believed, including Dionysius, a member of the Areopagus council, and a woman named Damaris (Acts 17:34).

The account of Paul's preaching at the Areopagus demonstrates his ability to engage with the intellectual and philosophical currents of his time, adapting his message to the audience while remaining faithful to the core truths of the gospel. It also highlights the challenges and opportunities the early church faced in proclaiming the message of Christ in a diverse and pluralistic society.

All entries for Areopagus: Ἄρειος Πάγος ☩ Ἀρεοπαγίτης