Etymology
Roots in Hebrew, Greek, and Aramaic
GreekChurch and community
Ecclesiaekklēsia — biblical meaning
ἐκκλησία (ekklēsia)
Transliteration
ekklēsia
Pronunciation
ek-klay-SEE-a
MEANING
Assembly; congregation; church
ROOT
ἐκ (ek) + καλέω (kaleō)
ETYMOLOGY
From ek, 'out of,' and kaleō, 'to call.' In secular Greek it named a citizens' assembly; in the New Testament, the community of believers.
BIBLICAL USE
It denotes both the universal church and local congregations.
RELATED VERSES
Matthew 16:18Acts 2:47Ephesians 1:22–23
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