Colony
The Biblical Reference
The word "colony" occurs only once in the New Testament, in Acts 16:12, where Philippi is described as "a leading city of the district of Macedonia and a Roman colony." The Greek word kolonia is a direct transliteration of the Latin colonia, and its use highlights the city's special status within the Roman Empire. Understanding what it meant to be a Roman colony illuminates the events of Paul's visit to Philippi and the later letter he wrote to the church there.
What Was a Roman Colony?
A Roman colony was a settlement established by Rome, typically populated by Roman citizens, especially military veterans, who were granted land in conquered or strategic territories. Colonies served multiple purposes: they extended Roman influence, rewarded retired soldiers, relieved population pressure in Rome, and secured frontier regions.
Roman colonies evolved over three historical periods. In the early Republic, colonies were established along borders to guard against external threats. During the Gracchan reforms of the 2nd century BC, colonies were founded to provide land for poorer citizens. After the time of Sulla, and especially under Julius Caesar and Augustus, colonies became the standard means of settling military veterans in the provinces.
Philippi as a Roman Colony
Philippi's colonial status was established in two phases. After the famous Battle of Philippi in 42 BC, where Octavian and Antony defeated Brutus and Cassius (the assassins of Julius Caesar), the victors settled some of their veterans there. After the Battle of Actium in 31 BC, Octavian (now Augustus) fully established the colony under the name Colonia Augusta Iulia Philippensis.
As a colony, Philippi received the ius Italicum, a prestigious legal designation that gave it the same status as cities in Italy itself. This meant its citizens enjoyed municipal self-government, exemption from poll and land taxes, and the right to conduct business under Roman law. The colony was essentially a miniature Rome transplanted onto foreign soil.
Colonial Status and Paul's Ministry
Philippi's status as a Roman colony directly affected Paul's experience there. When Paul and Silas were accused by the owners of a slave girl from whom Paul had cast out a spirit of divination, the charges were framed in terms of Roman civic identity: "These men are Jews, and they are disturbing our city. They advocate customs that are not lawful for us as Romans to accept or practice" (Acts 16:20-21). The emphasis on being "Romans" reflects the colonial pride of Philippi's citizens.
Paul and Silas were beaten and imprisoned without trial. After the earthquake that opened the prison doors and the conversion of the jailer, Paul revealed his Roman citizenship and demanded a proper apology from the magistrates for their illegal treatment (Acts 16:37-39). In a colony that prided itself on Roman law and order, the violation of a Roman citizen's rights was a serious matter.
Citizenship as Spiritual Metaphor
Paul's letter to the Philippians draws on the colony's cultural identity in a profound theological way. In Philippians 3:20, he writes, "But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ." The word for "citizenship" (politeuma) would have resonated deeply with Philippians who understood what it meant to be citizens of a colony. Just as Philippi was a colony of Rome, the church is a colony of heaven, living by the values and authority of a distant homeland while surrounded by a different culture.
This metaphor transforms the Roman colonial identity into a picture of Christian identity. Believers are citizens of God's kingdom, temporarily residing in a foreign land, representing their true homeland, and awaiting the return of their King.
The Broader Significance
Philippi's status as a colony made it a natural center for Paul's European mission. The city's Roman character, its location on the Via Egnatia (the major east-west highway across Greece), and its mixed population of Roman veterans, Greeks, and Jews created a dynamic environment for gospel proclamation. The church that was established there became one of Paul's most beloved and supportive congregations, sending him financial support on multiple occasions (Philippians 4:15-16).
Biblical Context
The term "colony" appears only in Acts 16:12 in reference to Philippi. The events at Philippi (Acts 16:11-40), including Lydia's conversion, the exorcism of the slave girl, the beating and imprisonment of Paul and Silas, the earthquake, and the jailer's conversion, all take place against the backdrop of Philippi's colonial identity. Paul's letter to the Philippians, especially Philippians 3:20, draws on the concept of colonial citizenship as a metaphor for the believer's heavenly identity.
Theological Significance
Philippi's status as a Roman colony provides the backdrop for Paul's teaching on heavenly citizenship (Philippians 3:20). Just as a colony represents the power and culture of its mother city in foreign territory, the church represents the kingdom of heaven on earth. This concept shapes Christian identity: believers are called to live by the values of their true homeland while faithfully serving as ambassadors in the present world. The colonial setting also highlights the tension between earthly authority and allegiance to Christ.
Historical Background
Philippi was originally a Greek city named Krenides, renamed by Philip II of Macedon (father of Alexander the Great) in 356 BC. The Battle of Philippi in 42 BC was one of the most significant in Roman history, effectively ending the Roman Republic. Augustus established the full colony after his victory at Actium in 31 BC, granting it the ius Italicum. Archaeological excavations at Philippi have uncovered the forum, theater, basilicas, and a possible site of Paul's imprisonment. The Via Egnatia, the major Roman highway connecting the Adriatic coast with Byzantium, passed through the city. Latin was the primary administrative language, though Greek was also widely spoken.