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, going his way, he attached himself to one of the citizens of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.
But his citizens were hating him, and sent an embassy after him, saying, 'We do not wish this man to be king over us.'
But Paul said to them "Having beaten us in public, uncondemned, being Romans, they cast us into prison; and now are they casting us out secretly? Nay, verily; but, coming themselves, let them lead us out."
But Paul said, "I am a Jew, of Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no mean city; and I beseech you, permit me to speak to the people."
And, as they stretched him out for the thongs, Paul said to the centurion standing by, "Is it lawful for you to scourge a man, who is a Roman, and uncondemned?" And the centurion, hearing it, going to the chief captain, reported it, saying, "What are you about to do? For this man is a Roman!"
And the chief captain answered, "I, for a great sum, acquired this citizenship." And Paul said, "But I have been born a citizen."
If, therefore, I am a wrong-doer, and have perpetrated anything worthy of death, I refuse not to die; but, if there is nothing in the things of which these accuse me, no one can deliver me as a favor 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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Notwithstanding, rejoice not in this, that the spirits are subject to you; but rejoice, because your names have been written in Heaven."
Notwithstanding, rejoice not in this, that the spirits are subject to you; but rejoice, because your names have been written in Heaven."
But Paul said to them "Having beaten us in public, uncondemned, being Romans, they cast us into prison; and now are they casting us out secretly? Nay, verily; but, coming themselves, let them lead us out."
But Paul said to them "Having beaten us in public, uncondemned, being Romans, they cast us into prison; and now are they casting us out secretly? Nay, verily; but, coming themselves, let them lead us out."
And, as they stretched him out for the thongs, Paul said to the centurion standing by, "Is it lawful for you to scourge a man, who is a Roman, and uncondemned?"
And, as they stretched him out for the thongs, Paul said to the centurion standing by, "Is it lawful for you to scourge a man, who is a Roman, and uncondemned?" And the centurion, hearing it, going to the chief captain, reported it, saying, "What are you about to do? For this man is a Roman!"
And the centurion, hearing it, going to the chief captain, reported it, saying, "What are you about to do? For this man is a Roman!" And the chief captain, going forward, said to him, "Tell me, are you a Roman?" And he said, "Yes."
And the chief captain, going forward, said to him, "Tell me, are you a Roman?" And he said, "Yes." And the chief captain answered, "I, for a great sum, acquired this citizenship." And Paul said, "But I have been born a citizen."
And the chief captain answered, "I, for a great sum, acquired this citizenship." And Paul said, "But I have been born a citizen."
If, therefore, I am a wrong-doer, and have perpetrated anything worthy of death, I refuse not to die; but, if there is nothing in the things of which these accuse me, no one can deliver me as a favor to them. I appeal to Caesar."
If, therefore, I am a wrong-doer, and have perpetrated anything worthy of death, I refuse not to die; but, if there is nothing in the things of which these accuse me, no one can deliver me as a favor to them. I appeal to Caesar."
But the Jerusalem which is above is free, which, indeed, is our mother;
But the Jerusalem which is above is free, which, indeed, is our mother;
and raised us up with Him, and made us sit with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus;
and raised us up with Him, and made us sit with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus;
For our citizenship is in Heaven, whence also we are waiting for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ;
For our citizenship is in Heaven, whence also we are waiting for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ;
By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as a foreign 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 a foreign land, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; for he was waiting for the city which has the foundations, whose architect and builder is God.
for he was waiting for the city which has the foundations, whose architect and builder is God.
These all died according to faith, not having obtained the promises, but having seen them from afar, and having greeted them, and having confessed that they were strangers and sojourners on the earth.
These all died according to faith, not having obtained the promises, but having seen them from afar, and having greeted them, and having confessed that they were strangers and sojourners on the earth. For those who say such things make it manifest that they are seeking their paternal home.
For those who say such things make it manifest that they are seeking their paternal home. And, if, indeed, they had been mindful of that country from which they went out, they would have had opportunity to return.
And, if, indeed, they had been mindful of that country from which they went out, they would have had opportunity to return. But now they long for a better country, that is, a heavenly one; wherefore, God is not ashamed of them, to be called their God; for He prepared for them a city.
But now they long for a better country, that is, a heavenly one; wherefore, God is not ashamed of them, to be called their God; for He prepared for them a city.
But ye have come to Mount Zion, and to the city of the Living God, the Heavenly Jerusalem, and to myriads of angels,
But ye have come to Mount Zion, and to 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, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband.
And I saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband.
And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me the city, the holy Jerusalem, coming down out of the Heaven from God,
And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me the city, the holy Jerusalem, coming down out of the 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 said to them "Having beaten us in public, uncondemned, being Romans, they cast us into prison; and now are they casting us out secretly? Nay, verily; but, coming themselves, let them lead us out."
And the chief captain answered, "I, for a great sum, acquired this citizenship." And Paul said, "But I have been born a citizen."
And the chief captain answered, "I, for a great sum, acquired this citizenship." And Paul said, "But I have been born a citizen." Straightway, therefore, those who were about to examine him departed from him; and the chief captain also was struck with fear, having ascertained that he was a Roman, and because he had bound him.
If, therefore, I am a wrong-doer, and have perpetrated anything worthy of death, I refuse not to die; but, if there is nothing in the things of which these accuse me, no one can deliver me as a favor to them. I appeal to Caesar."