Reference: Citizenship
Easton
the rights and privileges of a citizen in distinction from a foreigner (Lu 15:15; 19:14; Ac 21:39). Under the Mosaic law non-Israelites, with the exception of the Moabites and the Ammonites and others mentioned in De 23:1-3, were admitted to the general privileges of citizenship among the Jews (Ex 12:19; Le 24:22; Nu 15:15; 35:15; De 10:18; 14:29; 16:10,14).
The right of citizenship under the Roman government was granted by the emperor to individuals, and sometimes to provinces, as a favour or as a recompense for services rendered to the state, or for a sum of money (Ac 22:28). This "freedom" secured privileges equal to those enjoyed by natives of Rome. Among the most notable of these was the provision that a man could not be bound or imprisoned without a formal trial (Ac 22:25-26), or scourged (Ac 16:37). All Roman citizens had the right of appeal to Caesar (Ac 25:11).
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And he went and attached himself to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed swine.
But his citizens hated him, and sent an embassy after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us.
But Paul said to them: Having publicly scourged us uncondemned, us who are Romans, they threw us into prison: and do they now put us out secretly? No, verily: but let them come and lead us out.
But Paul replied: I am a Jew of Tarsus of Cilicia, a citizen of no unknown city; and I beseech you, permit me to speak to the people.
But Paul said to the centurion who stood by, as he caused him to be bent forward to the straps: Is it lawful for you to scourge a man who is a Roman, and uncondemned? And when the centurion heard that, he went out and told it to the officer, saying: "What are you about to do? for this man is a Roman.
And the officer answered: With a great Bum did I purchase this citizenship. And Paul replied: But I was born a citizen.
If, however, I be an offender, and have done any thing worthy of death, I refuse not to die. But if the things of which these men accuse me are nothing, no one can deliver me to them. I appeal to Caesar.
Fausets
Paul's Roman citizenship was of the lower kind, which though not entitling him to vote with the tribes and enjoy a magistracy, yet secured to him the protection of the laws of the empire, and the right of appeal from his own hostile countrymen to Caesar, as also exemption from scourging (Ac 16:37; 22:25-28; 25:11). He seems to have inherited it from his father. Hence, he naturally uses the image to express the believer's high privileges as a citizen of the heavenly Jerusalem.
Our citizenship (Greek, or rather our life as citizens; politeuma, not politeia) is in heaven, etc. (Php 3:20); an image especially appropriate at Philippi, it being a Roman colony and possessing Roman citizenship of which its people were proud. Moreover, it was there that Paul had compelled the magistrates publicly to recognize a Roman citizen's privileges. So believers, though absent from their heavenly city in body, still enjoy its civic privileges and protection; pilgrims on earth, citizens of heaven (Eph 2:6; Ga 4:26; Heb 11:9-10,13-16; 12:22; Re 21:2,10; Lu 10:20).
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However, rejoice not in this, that the spirits are subject to you; but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.
However, rejoice not in this, that the spirits are subject to you; but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.
But Paul said to them: Having publicly scourged us uncondemned, us who are Romans, they threw us into prison: and do they now put us out secretly? No, verily: but let them come and lead us out.
But Paul said to them: Having publicly scourged us uncondemned, us who are Romans, they threw us into prison: and do they now put us out secretly? No, verily: but let them come and lead us out.
But Paul said to the centurion who stood by, as he caused him to be bent forward to the straps: Is it lawful for you to scourge a man who is a Roman, and uncondemned?
But Paul said to the centurion who stood by, as he caused him to be bent forward to the straps: Is it lawful for you to scourge a man who is a Roman, and uncondemned? And when the centurion heard that, he went out and told it to the officer, saying: "What are you about to do? for this man is a Roman.
And when the centurion heard that, he went out and told it to the officer, saying: "What are you about to do? for this man is a Roman. And the officer came and said to him: Tell me, are you a Roman? He answered: Yes.
And the officer came and said to him: Tell me, are you a Roman? He answered: Yes. And the officer answered: With a great Bum did I purchase this citizenship. And Paul replied: But I was born a citizen.
And the officer answered: With a great Bum did I purchase this citizenship. And Paul replied: But I was born a citizen.
If, however, I be an offender, and have done any thing worthy of death, I refuse not to die. But if the things of which these men accuse me are nothing, no one can deliver me to them. I appeal to Caesar.
If, however, I be an offender, and have done any thing worthy of death, I refuse not to die. But if the things of which these men accuse me are nothing, no one can deliver me to them. I appeal to Caesar.
But Jerusalem which is above is free; and she is the mother of us all.
But Jerusalem which is above is free; and she is the mother of us all.
and raised us up, and made us sit together in heavenly places, in Christ Jesus;
and raised us up, and made us sit together in heavenly places, in Christ Jesus;
But our citizenship is in heaven, whence also we look for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,
But our citizenship is in heaven, whence also we look for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,
By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange land, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise:
By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange land, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: for he looked for a city that has foundations, whose architect and builder is God.
for he looked for a city that has foundations, whose architect and builder is God.
All these died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off. and having embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and sojourners in the land.
All these died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off. and having embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and sojourners in the land. For those who say such things, declare plainly that they seek a country.
For those who say such things, declare plainly that they seek a country. And if indeed they had been mindful of that from which they came, they could have had an opportunity to return.
And if indeed they had been mindful of that from which they came, they could have had an opportunity to return. But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country; wherefore God is not ashamed of them, that he should be called their God: for he has prepared for them a city.
But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country; wherefore God is not ashamed of them, that he should be called their God: for he has prepared for them a city.
But you have come to Mount Zion, and the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to myriads of angels;
But you have come to Mount Zion, and the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to myriads of angels;
And I saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven, from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
And I saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven, from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
And he carried me away in spirit to a mountain, great and high, and showed me the holy city, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God,
And he carried me away in spirit to a mountain, great and high, and showed me the holy city, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God,
Hastings
Smith
Citizenship.
The use of this term in Scripture has exclusive reference to the usages of the Roman empire. The privilege of Roman citizenship was originally acquired in various ways, as by purchase,
by military services, by favor or by manumission. The right once obtained descended to a man's children.
Among the privileges attached to citizenship we may note that a man could not be bound or imprisoned without a formal trial,
still less be scourged.
Cic. in Verr. v. 63,66. Another privilege attaching to citizenship was the appeal from a provincial tribunal to the emperor at Rome.
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But Paul said to them: Having publicly scourged us uncondemned, us who are Romans, they threw us into prison: and do they now put us out secretly? No, verily: but let them come and lead us out.
And the officer answered: With a great Bum did I purchase this citizenship. And Paul replied: But I was born a citizen.
And the officer answered: With a great Bum did I purchase this citizenship. And Paul replied: But I was born a citizen. Then, those who were about to examine him, immediately departed from him. And the officer was afraid, when he learned that he was a Roman, and because he had bound him.
If, however, I be an offender, and have done any thing worthy of death, I refuse not to die. But if the things of which these men accuse me are nothing, no one can deliver me to them. I appeal to Caesar.