Church — Meaning in the Bible
In the New Testament, the gathered community of Jesus' followers, not a building. The Greek word means an assembly.
What it means
Jesus said "I will build my assembly (church)". After Pentecost the believers met together, devoted to the apostles' teaching, fellowship, breaking bread and prayer. Matthew 16:18Acts 2:42–47
Paul writes to the churches in particular cities and households and calls the church the body of Christ. 1 Corinthians 1:2Romans 16:51 Corinthians 12:27Ephesians 1:22–23
Key passages
- Matthew 16:18 — I will build my assembly.
- Acts 2:42–47 — The first community.
- Romans 16:3–5 — A church meeting in a house.
- 1 Corinthians 12:12–27 — One body, many parts.
Original language
ἐκκλησία ekklēsia
Greek · Strong’s G1577 · gloss: “assembly”
The Greek word ekklesia, assembly. Matthew 16:18Acts 2:47
A Strong’s number is a reference identifier, not a complete definition: what a word means in a passage depends on its context. Lexical data: STEPBible.org, based on work at Tyndale House Cambridge (CC BY 4.0).
How translations differ
- The WEB translates this word "assembly" in many places, where other versions write "church". Matthew 16:18
Study further
- Acts 2:37–47 The first church.
- 1 Corinthians 12 The body of Christ.