συμπολίτης

a fellow citizen

Definition

The Greek word συμπολίτης (sympolitēs) means 'a fellow citizen' or 'one who shares citizenship with another.' In the New Testament, it specifically denotes a shared spiritual citizenship among believers in the kingdom of God. This concept is used exclusively by the Apostle Paul in Ephesians 2:19 to describe Gentile believers who, through faith in Christ, are no longer 'strangers and aliens' but are now fellow citizens with the saints. The term emphasizes inclusion and equal standing within God's household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets.

Biblical Usage

This word is used only once in the New Testament, in Ephesians 2:19. In this context, Paul employs it to illustrate the new status of Gentile Christians. They are now fully integrated as 'fellow citizens' with Jewish believers ('the saints') in the spiritual commonwealth of God. The usage is part of a larger metaphor contrasting alienation with belonging, highlighting the unity created by Christ who broke down the dividing wall of hostility (Ephesians 2:14).

Etymology

Derived from the preposition σύν (syn), meaning 'with' or 'together,' combined with πολίτης (politēs), meaning 'citizen.' Thus, it literally means 'a citizen together with.' The root πολίτης comes from πόλις (polis), meaning 'city' or 'city-state,' indicating membership in a political community. The compound form intensifies the idea of shared identity and communal belonging.

Semantic Range

This word is theologically significant as it captures the New Testament doctrine of the unity of the church. In Ephesians 2:19, it underscores that salvation in Christ grants believers a new, shared citizenship in God's kingdom, transcending ethnic, social, and religious divisions (Galatians 3:28). Understanding this Greek term enriches Bible reading by highlighting that Christian identity is fundamentally corporate; believers are not isolated individuals but are fellow members of God's holy nation (1 Peter 2:9).

In the Greco-Roman world, citizenship was a prized legal status granting rights, protections, and identity within a specific πόλις (city-state) or empire. For Paul's audience, especially Gentiles, the term 'fellow citizen' would evoke this powerful sense of legal inclusion and privilege. The metaphor contrasts sharply with their former spiritual statelessness, making the gospel's offer of belonging in God's city profoundly meaningful.

πολίτης (politēs, G4177) — A citizen; denotes citizenship itself, whereas συμπολίτης emphasizes the shared nature of that citizenship.

Word Details

Scripture References