Iconium
Iconium is an ancient city mentioned in the New Testament, located in the region of Asia Minor in modern-day Turkey. Known today as Konya. It appears across 6 verses in Scripture.
Biblical History
Iconium was a prominent city of Asia Minor that played a central role in the apostle Paul's missionary journeys. Paul and Barnabas first visited Iconium during the first missionary journey after being expelled from Pisidian Antioch. At Iconium they entered the Jewish synagogue and spoke so effectively that a great number of both Jews and Greeks believed (Acts 14:1). However, opposition arose from unbelieving Jews who stirred up the Gentile population, and when a plot was formed to stone them, Paul and Barnabas fled to Lystra and Derbe (Acts 14:2-6). Paul returned to Iconium on his second missionary journey to strengthen the disciples (Acts 16:2), where he found Timothy, who was well spoken of by believers in Lystra and Iconium. Paul later recalled his persecutions and sufferings at Iconium in his second letter to Timothy (2 Timothy 3:11), using his own endurance as an example of faithfulness under trial. Iconium thus represents both the fruitfulness and the cost of early Christian mission.
Archaeological & Historical Notes
Iconium is identified with modern Konya, a major city in south-central Turkey with a population exceeding two million. The ancient city sat on the edge of the Anatolian plateau, benefiting from a well-watered oasis in an otherwise arid landscape. Because Konya has been continuously inhabited, systematic excavation of ancient Iconium has been limited. Inscriptions and coins from the Roman period confirm the city's status as a significant urban center in the province of Galatia. A second-century text known as the Acts of Paul and Thecla, though apocryphal, preserves traditions about Paul's activity in Iconium. The Alaeddin Mosque sits atop the ancient acropolis mound, beneath which earlier remains are believed to lie. Several Roman-era artifacts are housed in the Konya Archaeological Museum.
Verse Appearances (6)
Sources: ISBE Encyclopedia · OpenBible Geocoding (CC BY) · Pleiades Gazetteer View all →