Greek · Strong's G5546
Χριστιανός
Christianós (khris-tee-an-OS)
noun, masculine
One who belongs to Christ—a name first applied to Jesus' followers in Antioch and used only three times in the New Testament.
Christianos is built from Christos ("Anointed," "Messiah") plus the Latinate suffix -ianos meaning "belonging to," "the party of." It is the same pattern as Herodianoi ("Herod's people") and Kaisarianoi ("Caesar's people"). The label therefore means "one of Christ's people."
Luke records the origin in Antioch around AD 40-45: "the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch" (Acts 11:26). The grammar suggests the name was given to them by outsiders rather than chosen by themselves. Within the New Testament the believers more often call one another "disciples," "saints," "brothers," or "those of the Way." The name Christian appears only twice more—on the lips of Agrippa to Paul, "Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian" (Acts 26:28), and in 1 Peter 4:16, where Peter assumes it as a name worth suffering for: "if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf."
What may have begun as a nickname—possibly with a sneering edge—was embraced. By the second century it was the standard self-designation of the church. To wear the name is to confess that one's identity is no longer defined by nation, class, or party, but by belonging to the Anointed King.
Common English renderings
- Christian
Key verses
"and when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that even for a whole year they were gathered together with the church, and taught much people; and that the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch."
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"And Agrippa said unto Paul, With but little persuasion thou wouldest fain make me a Christian."
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"but if a man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God in this name."
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