San Dimas CHURCH of CHRIST

What Greek word is used for the word church?

Vines Dictionary states the Greek word “ek” means “out of”, which denotes the origin or the point from what place or source the action or motion proceeds. The Greek word “klesis” means “a calling”. Thus, the word ekklesia literally means “a calling out of”.

There are approximately 117 verses where a form of the word for ekklesia is used in the New Testament. The Greek word ekklesia is most often translated church in the New Testament. The New King James Version translates ekklesia as congregation in Acts 7:38, and assembly in Acts 19:32, 39, and 41. Other translations may use different words than the aforementioned.

Acts 7:38 "This is he who was in the congregation (ekkleesía) in the wilderness with the Angel who spoke to him on Mount Sinai, and with our fathers, the one who received the living oracles to give to us, NKJV.

Depending on the translation ekklesia is translated “assembly”; “church”; or “congregation” in Acts 7:38. This verse is in reference to the Israelites (non-Christians) who wandered in the wilderness. The Jews were called out of Egypt and to be a nation or as a members of a group.

Acts 19:32 Some therefore cried one thing and some another, for the assembly (ekkleesía) was confused, and most of them did not know why they had come together. NKJV

Acts 19:39 But if you have any other inquiry to make, it shall be determined in the lawful assembly (ekkleesía). NKJV

Acts 19:41 And when he had said these things, he dismissed the assembly (ekkleesían). NKJV

In Acts 2:47, many versions include the word church even though the Greek word ekklesia is not used there. The necessary inference in the context of Acts 2:47 shows that God added the saved to the church.

Acts 2:47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved. NKJV

A better translation is found in the American Standard Version: Acts 2:47 praising God, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to them day by day those that were saved. ASV

In Acts 19:32, 39, and 41 ekklesia is translated “assembly”. Demetrius the silversmith had called out (to assemble) other workers of similar occupation to come together because Paul was harming their business of making idols through his preaching (Acts 19:25). Other Greeks joined the silversmiths to the point where they gathered together in an Ephesian theater and the whole city was in confusion as to the purpose of the assembling together of the people (Acts 19:29, 32).

Acts 19:25 He called them together (sunathroísas) with the workers of similar occupation, and said: "Men, you know that we have our prosperity by this trade. NKJV

Acts 19:29 So the whole city was filled with confusion, and rushed into the theater with one accord (homothumadón), having seized Gaius and Aristarchus, Macedonians, Paul's travel companions. NKJV

Acts 19:32 Some therefore cried one thing and some another, for the assembly was confused, and most of them did not know why they had come together (suneleelútheisan). NKJV

Hence, the word “ekklesia” is not strictly a religious word or reference. It can refer to non-religious groups, communities, etc. It can also refer to religious alliances, similarities whether they are sound (healthy religiously) or unsound (unhealthy religiously). However, the Holy Spirit has determined the use of the word “ekklesia” as a good word, for sound spiritual bodies, to describe the Church of Christ within the Holy Scriptures.