Topical Encyclopedia
In biblical terms, the concept of "citizen" encompasses both the rights and responsibilities of individuals within a community or nation, as well as their spiritual identity and obligations within the Kingdom of God. The Bible provides insights into the dual nature of citizenship—earthly and heavenly—and the conduct expected of believers in both realms.
Earthly CitizenshipThe Bible acknowledges the reality of earthly citizenship and the importance of living responsibly within societal structures. In the Old Testament, the Israelites were given laws and guidelines to govern their conduct as a nation under God. These laws emphasized justice, mercy, and community welfare (
Deuteronomy 16:18-20).
In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul addresses the role of Christians as citizens of earthly governments. In
Romans 13:1-7 , Paul instructs believers to submit to governing authorities, recognizing that such authorities are established by God. He writes, "Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except that which is from God. The authorities that exist have been appointed by God" (
Romans 13:1). This passage underscores the importance of respecting and obeying civil laws, paying taxes, and honoring leaders, as part of a Christian's duty to maintain order and peace in society.
Heavenly CitizenshipWhile the Bible acknowledges earthly citizenship, it places greater emphasis on the believer's citizenship in heaven. The Apostle Paul, writing to the Philippians, declares, "But our citizenship is in heaven, and we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ" (
Philippians 3:20). This heavenly citizenship is characterized by a life transformed by faith in Christ, with a focus on eternal values and the anticipation of Christ's return.
The concept of heavenly citizenship calls believers to live as "aliens and strangers" in the world (
1 Peter 2:11), reflecting the values and character of the Kingdom of God. This includes living a life of holiness, love, and service, as well as sharing the gospel message with others. The dual citizenship of believers—earthly and heavenly—requires a balance of fulfilling responsibilities in the world while maintaining a primary allegiance to God's Kingdom.
Responsibilities and ConductThe Bible outlines specific responsibilities for citizens, both earthly and heavenly. Earthly citizens are called to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God (
Micah 6:8). They are to be peacemakers, seeking the welfare of their communities and praying for their leaders (
1 Timothy 2:1-2).
Heavenly citizens, on the other hand, are called to live in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ (
Philippians 1:27). This involves pursuing righteousness, faith, love, and peace, and being ambassadors for Christ in a world that often opposes His message (
2 Corinthians 5:20).
ConclusionThe Bible presents a comprehensive view of citizenship, emphasizing the believer's dual role in society and the Kingdom of God. Earthly citizenship involves respecting and participating in societal structures, while heavenly citizenship calls for a life that reflects the values and priorities of God's eternal Kingdom. Through this dual citizenship, believers are called to be faithful witnesses of Christ's transformative power in both their earthly communities and their spiritual lives.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) One who enjoys the freedom and privileges of a city; a freeman of a city, as distinguished from a foreigner, or one not entitled to its franchises.
2. (n.) An inhabitant of a city; a townsman.
3. (n.) A person, native or naturalized, of either sex, who owes allegiance to a government, and is entitled to reciprocal protection from it.
4. (n.) One who is domiciled in a country, and who is a citizen, though neither native nor naturalized, in such a sense that he takes his legal status from such country.
5. (a.) Having the condition or qualities of a citizen, or of citizens; as, a citizen soldiery.
6. (a.) of or pertaining to the inhabitants of a city; characteristic of citizens; effeminate; luxurious.
Greek
4177. polites -- a citizen ... a
citizen. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: polites Phonetic Spelling:
(pol-ee'-tace) Short Definition: a
citizen Definition: a
citizen, fellow
... 4847. sumpolites -- a fellow citizen
... a fellow citizen. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: sumpolites Phonetic
Spelling: (soom-pol-ee'-tace) Short Definition: a fellow citizen ...
4176. politeuomai -- to live as a citizen
... to live as a citizen. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: politeuomai Phonetic
Spelling: (pol-it-yoo'-om-ahee) Short Definition: I live the life of a citizen ...
4174. politeia -- citizenship
... citizenship. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: politeia Phonetic Spelling:
(pol-ee-ti'-ah) Short Definition: citizen body, citizenship Definition ...
4514. Rhomaios -- Roman
... Roman. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: Rhomaios Phonetic Spelling:
(hro-mah'-yos) Short Definition: Roman, a Roman citizen Definition: Roman; subst ...
1786. entopios -- of a place, a resident
... Spelling: (en-top'-ee-os) Short Definition: belonging to the place, native, resident
Definition: belonging to the place, native, resident; subst: a citizen. ...
4609. Silas -- Silas, a fellow missionary of Paul
... Transliteration: Silas Phonetic Spelling: (see'-las) Short Definition: Silas Definition:
Silas, a pet-form of the name Silvanus; a Roman citizen and a helper ...
1658. eleutheros -- free, ie not a slave or not under restraint
... Probably from the alternate of erchomai; unrestrained (to go at pleasure), ie (as
a citizen) not a slave (whether freeborn or manumitted), or (genitive case ...
4610. Silouanos -- "sylvan," Silvanus, alt. form of the name Silas
... of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: Silouanos Phonetic Spelling:
(sil-oo-an-os') Short Definition: Silvanus Definition: Silvanus, a Roman citizen ...
1050. Gaios -- Gaius, the name of several Christian
... Transliteration: Gaios Phonetic Spelling: (gah'-ee-os) Short Definition: Gaius
Definition: Gaius, (a) a Corinthian, (b) a Macedonian, (c) a citizen of Derbe, ( ...
Strong's Hebrew
5900. Iru -- "citizen," a man of Judah... Iru. 5901 . "
citizen," a man of Judah. Transliteration: Iru Phonetic Spelling:
(ee-roo') Short Definition: Iru.
... From iyr; a
citizen; Iru, an Israelite -- Iru.
... 7934. shaken -- inhabitant, neighbor
... inhabitant, neighbor, nigh. From shakan; a resident; by extension, a fellow-citizen --
inhabitant, neighbour, nigh. see HEBREW shakan. 7933, 7934. ...
6133. eqer -- an offshoot, member
... stock. From aqar. Figuratively, a transplanted person, ie Naturalized citizen --
stock. see HEBREW aqar. 6132, 6133. eqer. 6134 . Strong's Numbers.
8453. toshab -- a sojourner
... toshab (1 Kings 17:1) {to-shawb'}; from yashab; a dweller (but not outlandish (nokriy));
especially (as distinguished from a native citizen (active participle ...
721. Arvadi -- inhab. of Arvad
... of Arvad NASB Word Usage Arvadite (1), Arvadites (1). Arvadite. Patrial from 'Arvad;
an Arvadite or citizen of Arvad -- Arvadite. see HEBREW 'Arvad. 720, 721 ...
Library
Ep. cxliv. Verianus, a Citizen of Nazianzus, had Been Offended by ...
... Division III. Miscellaneous Letters. Ep. CXLIV. Verianus, a citizen of
Nazianzus, had been offended by his son-in-law? (Verianus ...
How a Citizen Became a Soldier.
... How a Citizen Became a Soldier. ... The citizen becomes a soldier in a minute, and
from being a free man becomes subject to the command of others. ...
The Love of the People, the Conscience of the Citizen...
... VI. The love of the People, the conscience of the citizen? The love of
the People, the conscience of the citizen, the sentiment ...
Psalm 15 Characters of a Saint; Or, a Citizen of Zion; Or, the ...
... THE PSALMS OF DAVID PSALM 15 Characters of a saint; or, A citizen of Zion;
or, The qualifications of a Christian. CM Characters ...
Of True virtue; and of the Estimation of a Good or Bad Citizen.
... the divine institutes Book V. Of Justice. Chap. XII."Of True Virtue; And
of the Estimation of a Good or Bad Citizen. What would ...
Psalm 15:1. CM Characters of a Saint; Or, a Citizen of Zion; Or ...
... THE Psalms of David, In Metre. Psalm 15:1. CM Characters of a saint; or,
a citizen of Zion; or, The qualifications of a Christian. ...
Our Status.
... So long as the law has not proven him guilty, has not convicted and sentenced
him, his legal status is that of a free and law-abiding citizen. ...
Paul's Narrow Escape from Death
... Egyptian who some time ago started a rebellion and led four thousand outlaws into
the desert?" Paul answered, "I am a Jew, of Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of a ...
Psalm LXXXVII.
... Thus filled with the Holy Spirit, and with many thoughts of love and longing for
that city, as if after long internal meditation, that citizen bursts out, "Her ...
The Freedom of the City.
... Once S. Paul declared with pride that he was a Roman citizen; and when the Chief
Captain in surprise declared that he himself had purchased that privilege at a ...
Thesaurus
Citizen (9 Occurrences)... 4. (n.) One who is domiciled in a country, and who is a
citizen, though neither
native nor naturalized, in such a sense that he takes his legal status from
...Fellow-citizen (1 Occurrence)
Fellow-citizen. Fellow-captives, Fellow-citizen. Fellowcitizens .
Multi-Version Concordance Fellow-citizen (1 Occurrence). ...
Citizenship (4 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary The rights and privileges of a citizen in
distinction from a foreigner (Luke 15:15; 19:14; Acts 21:39). ...
Tribune (18 Occurrences)
... "This man is a Roman citizen." (WEY RSV). Acts 22:27 So the Tribune came to Paul
and asked him, "Tell me, are you a Roman citizen?" "Yes," he said. (WEY RSV). ...
Preacher (27 Occurrences)
... Worked out on this basis Qoheleth seems to mean citizenship, or concretely, a
citizen-a citizen of such respectability that he is entitled to participate in ...
Ecclesiastes (1 Occurrence)
... Worked out on this basis Qoheleth seems to mean citizenship, or concretely, a
citizen-a citizen of such respectability that he is entitled to participate in ...
Lysias (3 Occurrences)
... As the speech of Paul had no pacifying effect, Lysias purposed examining him by
scourging; but on learning that his prisoner was a Roman citizen, he desisted ...
Civil (4 Occurrences)
... 1. (a.) Pertaining to a city or state, or to a citizen in his relations to his
fellow citizens or to the state; within the city or state. ...
Appeal (30 Occurrences)
... 11, 12, 21, 25). Paul availed himself of the privilege of a Roman citizen
in this matter. Noah Webster's Dictionary. 1. (vt) To make ...
Scourging (5 Occurrences)
... In the time of the apostles, in consequence of the passing of what was called the
Porcian law, no Roman citizen could be scourged in any case (Acts 16:22-37). ...
Resources
How was Paul a Roman citizen? | GotQuestions.orgShould a Christian pledge allegiance to the flag? | GotQuestions.orgIs Marxism compatible with the Christian faith? | GotQuestions.orgCitizen: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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