Ekklēsía — G1577

Definition

feminine noun

a calling out, i.e. (concretely) a popular meeting, especially a religious congregation (Jewish synagogue, or Christian community of members on earth or saints in heaven or both)

1. among the Greeks from Thucydides down, an assembly of the people convened at the public place of council for the purpose of deliberating
2. in the Sept. often equivalent to קָהָל, the assembly of the Israelites
3. any gathering or throng of men assembled by chance or tumultuously
4. in the Christian sense
1. an assembly of Christians gathered for worship
2. a company of Christians, or of those who, hoping for eternal Salvation through Jesus Christ, observe their own religious rites, hold their own religious meetings, and manage their own affairs according to regulations prescribed for the body for order's sake

Usually translated as

church, assembly

Origin

from a compound of G1537 and a derivative of G2564

• ek (G1537)
• kaléō (G2564)

Occurrences

Ekklēsía occurs 115 times in 112 verses of the King James.

Distribution of the word across the Bible: Matthew (2), Acts (24), Romans (5), 1 Corinthians (21), 2 Corinthians (9), Galatians (3), Ephesians (9), Philippians (2), Colossians (4), 1 Thessalonians (2), 2 Thessalonians (2), 1 Timothy (3), Philemon (1), Hebrews (2), James (1), 3 John (3), Revelation (19)

• Matthew 16:18 — And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church (ἐκκλησίαν); and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
• Matthew 18:17 — And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church (ἐκκλησίᾳ): but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.
• Matthew 18:17 — And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church (ἐκκλησίας), let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.
• Acts 2:47 — Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church (ἐκκλησίᾳ) daily such as should be saved.
• Acts 5:11 — And great fear came upon all the church (ἐκκλησίαν), and upon as many as heard these things.
• Acts 7:38 — This is he, that was in the church (ἐκκλησίᾳ) in the wilderness with the angel which spake to him in the mount Sina, and with our fathers: who received the lively oracles to give unto us:
• Acts 8:1 — And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church (ἐκκλησίαν) which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judæa and Samaria, except the apostles.
• Acts 8:3 — As for Saul, he made havock of the church (ἐκκλησίαν), entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison.
• Acts 9:31 — Then had the churches (ἐκκλησίαι) rest throughout all Judæa and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.
• Acts 11:22 — Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church (ἐκκλησίας) which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch.
• Acts 11:26 — And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church (ἐκκλησίᾳ), and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.
• Acts 12:1 — Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church (ἐκκλησίας).
• Acts 12:5 — Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church (ἐκκλησίας) unto God for him.
• Acts 13:1 — Now there were in the church (ἐκκλησίαν) that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.
• Acts 14:23 — And when they had ordained them elders in every church (ἐκκλησίαν), and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.
• Acts 14:27 — And when they were come, and had gathered the church together (ἐκκλησίαν), they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles.
• Acts 15:3 — And being brought on their way by the church (ἐκκλησίας), they passed through Phenice and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles: and they caused great joy unto all the brethren.
• Acts 15:4 — And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church (ἐκκλησίας), and of the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God had done with them.
• Acts 15:22 — Then pleased it the apostles and elders, with the whole church (ἐκκλησίᾳ), to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren:
• Acts 15:41 — And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches (ἐκκλησίας).
• Acts 16:5 — And so were the churches (ἐκκλησίαι) established in the faith, and increased in number daily.
• Acts 18:22 — And when he had landed at Cæsarea, and gone up, and saluted the church (ἐκκλησίαν), he went down to Antioch.
• Acts 19:32 — Some therefore cried one thing, and some another: for the assembly (ἐκκλησίᾳ) was confused; and the more part knew not wherefore they were come together.
• Acts 19:39 — But if ye enquire any thing concerning other matters, it shall be determined in a lawful assembly (ἐκκλησίᾳ).
• Acts 19:41 — And when he had thus spoken, he dismissed the assembly (ἐκκλησίαν).
• Acts 20:17 — And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church (ἐκκλησίας).
• Acts 20:28 — Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church (ἐκκλησίαν) of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
• Romans 16:1 — I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church (ἐκκλησίας) which is at Cenchrea:
• Romans 16:4 — Who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches (ἐκκλησίαι) of the Gentiles.
• Romans 16:5 — Likewise greet the church (ἐκκλησίαν) that is in their house. Salute my wellbeloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia unto Christ.
• Romans 16:16 — Salute one another with an holy kiss. The churches (ἐκκλησίαι) of Christ salute you.
• Romans 16:23 — Gaius mine host, and of the whole church (ἐκκλησίας), saluteth you. Erastus the chamberlain of the city saluteth you, and Quartus a brother.
• 1 Corinthians 1:2 — Unto the church (ἐκκλησίᾳ) of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:
• 1 Corinthians 4:17 — For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach every where in every church (ἐκκλησίᾳ).
• 1 Corinthians 6:4 — If then ye have judgments of things pertaining to this life, set them to judge who are least esteemed in the church (ἐκκλησίᾳ).
• 1 Corinthians 7:17 — But as God hath distributed to every man, as the Lord hath called every one, so let him walk. And so ordain I in all churches (ἐκκλησίαις).
• 1 Corinthians 10:32 — Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church (ἐκκλησίᾳ) of God:
• 1 Corinthians 11:16 — But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches (ἐκκλησίαι) of God.
• 1 Corinthians 11:18 — For first of all, when ye come together in the church (ἐκκλησίᾳ), I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it.
• 1 Corinthians 11:22 — What? have ye not houses to eat and to drink in? or despise ye the church (ἐκκλησίας) of God, and shame them that have not? What shall I say to you? shall I praise you in this? I praise you not.
• 1 Corinthians 12:28 — And God hath set some in the church (ἐκκλησίᾳ), first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.
• 1 Corinthians 14:4 — He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church (ἐκκλησίαν).
• 1 Corinthians 14:5 — I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church (ἐκκλησίᾳ) may receive edifying.
• 1 Corinthians 14:12 — Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church (ἐκκλησίας).
• 1 Corinthians 14:19 — Yet in the church (ἐκκλησίᾳ) I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.
• 1 Corinthians 14:23 — If therefore the whole church (ἐκκλησίᾳ) be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad?
• 1 Corinthians 14:28 — But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church (ἐκκλησίᾳ); and let him speak to himself, and to God.
• 1 Corinthians 14:33 — For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches (ἐκκλησίαις) of the saints.
• 1 Corinthians 14:34 — Let your women keep silence in the churches (ἐκκλησίαις): for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law.
• 1 Corinthians 14:35 — And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church (ἐκκλησίᾳ).