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).
See Verses Found in Dictionary
and he was reduced to want, which forc'd him to make his application to one of the inhabitants there, who sent him to his farm to look after his swine.
but he being hated by the citizens, after he was gone, they sent a deputation to court, to make this protest, "we will not have him for our king."
but Paul replied, they have publickly scourg'd us, who are Romans, without any trial, they have thrown us into jayl, and now do they give us a private discharge? no, let them come themselves and release us.
Paul replied, I am a Jew of Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of that famous city: and I beg you would give me leave to speak to the people: which being granted,
as they were tying him with thongs, Paul said to the centurion, does the law allow to scourge a Roman citizen, and without any trial? upon hearing that, the centurion went to acquaint the head officer, take care, said he, what you do; for this man is a Roman.
he answer'd, yes. the officer rejoin'd, my freedom cost me a considerable sum. but I had it, said Paul, by right of birth.
if I am guilty of any capital crime, I am contented to die. but since their accusations are all groundless, that I may not be sacrificed to their humour, I appeal to Cesar."
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).
See Verses Found in Dictionary
however, let not this be the matter of your rejoicing, that the spirits are subject to you: but rejoice, that you have a title to the joys of heaven.
however, let not this be the matter of your rejoicing, that the spirits are subject to you: but rejoice, that you have a title to the joys of heaven.
but Paul replied, they have publickly scourg'd us, who are Romans, without any trial, they have thrown us into jayl, and now do they give us a private discharge? no, let them come themselves and release us.
but Paul replied, they have publickly scourg'd us, who are Romans, without any trial, they have thrown us into jayl, and now do they give us a private discharge? no, let them come themselves and release us.
as they were tying him with thongs, Paul said to the centurion, does the law allow to scourge a Roman citizen, and without any trial?
as they were tying him with thongs, Paul said to the centurion, does the law allow to scourge a Roman citizen, and without any trial? upon hearing that, the centurion went to acquaint the head officer, take care, said he, what you do; for this man is a Roman.
upon hearing that, the centurion went to acquaint the head officer, take care, said he, what you do; for this man is a Roman. then the head officer came to him, and said, tell me, are you a Roman?
then the head officer came to him, and said, tell me, are you a Roman? he answer'd, yes. the officer rejoin'd, my freedom cost me a considerable sum. but I had it, said Paul, by right of birth.
he answer'd, yes. the officer rejoin'd, my freedom cost me a considerable sum. but I had it, said Paul, by right of birth.
if I am guilty of any capital crime, I am contented to die. but since their accusations are all groundless, that I may not be sacrificed to their humour, I appeal to Cesar."
if I am guilty of any capital crime, I am contented to die. but since their accusations are all groundless, that I may not be sacrificed to their humour, I appeal to Cesar."
but the heavenly Jerusalem is represented by the free-woman, who is the mother of us all.
but the heavenly Jerusalem is represented by the free-woman, who is the mother of us all.
he hath raised us up together, and made us partakers of his heavenly kingdom.
he hath raised us up together, and made us partakers of his heavenly kingdom.
but we are the denisons of heaven, from whence we expect the saviour Jesus Christ our Lord.
but we are the denisons of heaven, from whence we expect the saviour Jesus Christ our Lord.
'twas by faith that he sojourned in a land that was promised, as in a strange country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, who were equally entitled to the same promise.
'twas by faith that he sojourned in a land that was promised, as in a strange country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, who were equally entitled to the same promise. for he had in view the city, whose foundations are sure, the architect and founder being God.
for he had in view the city, whose foundations are sure, the architect and founder being God.
These all died in faith, without receiving what was promised, having only a distant view of what they eagerly expected, professing to live as strangers and pilgrims in the land.
These all died in faith, without receiving what was promised, having only a distant view of what they eagerly expected, professing to live as strangers and pilgrims in the land. for they. that make such a declaration, show plainly that they seek some other country.
for they. that make such a declaration, show plainly that they seek some other country. and truly, if that had been in their view, they might have had an opportunity of returning to the place from whence they came.
and truly, if that had been in their view, they might have had an opportunity of returning to the place from whence they came. they desired therefore a better, that is, an heavenly country: so that God is very justly stiled their God: for he had appointed a city for them.
they desired therefore a better, that is, an heavenly country: so that God is very justly stiled their God: for he had appointed a city for them.
but you are come to mount Sion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable congress of angels, to the general assembly,
but you are come to mount Sion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable congress of angels, to the general assembly,
and I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, descend from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
and I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, descend from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
and he carried me away in an extacy to a great and high mountain, and shewed me the city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God.
and he carried me away in an extacy to a great and high mountain, and shewed me the city, the holy Jerusalem, descending 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.
See Verses Found in Dictionary
but Paul replied, they have publickly scourg'd us, who are Romans, without any trial, they have thrown us into jayl, and now do they give us a private discharge? no, let them come themselves and release us.
he answer'd, yes. the officer rejoin'd, my freedom cost me a considerable sum. but I had it, said Paul, by right of birth.
he answer'd, yes. the officer rejoin'd, my freedom cost me a considerable sum. but I had it, said Paul, by right of birth. immediately those who were going to put him to the question, withdrew: the commander himself being under some apprehension for having order'd him to be bound.
if I am guilty of any capital crime, I am contented to die. but since their accusations are all groundless, that I may not be sacrificed to their humour, I appeal to Cesar."