χριστιᾱνός G5546
Christian; a follower of Christ, one belonging to the Messiah
This term designates a follower of Jesus Christ. The word itself means 'belonging to Christ' or 'partisan of Christ,' formed with the Latin suffix '-ianus' indicating allegiance or association. Acts 11:26 records that 'the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch,' likely as a designation by outsiders. When Agrippa says to Paul, 'You almost persuade me to become a Christian' (Acts 26:28), he uses the term as others would recognize it. In 1 Peter 4:16, Peter writes that suffering 'as a Christian' is no shame but an opportunity to glorify God. The name identifies believers with their crucified and risen Lord.
Senses
1. sense 1 — The term translates consistently: English 'Christian,' Spanish 'cristiano/cristianos,' French 'chrétien,' German preserves the Greek 'Χριστιανούς/Χριστιανὸν.' Acts 11:26 marks the first use of the name at Antioch, where Gentile believers formed a distinct community. Acts 26:28 shows it was recognizable even to Roman officials like Agrippa. 1 Peter 4:16 encourages believers not to be ashamed of suffering under this name, but to glorify God—the term had become a badge of identity worth persecution. 3×
AR["مَسيحيٍّ", "مَسِيحِيًّا", "مَسِيحِيِّينَ"]·ben["খ্রীষ্টান", "খ্রীষ্টীয়", "খ্রীষ্টীয়ান"]·DE["Christ", "Χριστιανούς", "Χριστιανὸν"]·EN["Christian", "Christians", "a-Christian"]·FR["chrétien", "Χριστιανός"]·heb["מְשִׁיחִי", "נוֹצְרִים"]·HI["मसीही"]·ID["Kristen", "orang-Kristen"]·IT["christianos", "cristiano"]·jav["Kristen", "Kristen,", "Kristen."]·KO["그리스도인들이라고", "그리스도인으로서", "그리스도인이"]·PT["cristão", "cristão,"]·RU["Христианами", "Христианин,", "христианином"]·ES["Cristianos", "cristiano"]·SW["Mkristo", "Wakristo."]·TR["Hristiyan", "Hristiyanlar", "Hıristiyan"]·urd["مسیحی", "مسیحی،"]
Related Senses
H0935 1. come, arrive (Qal) (2413×)G1473 1. first person singular pronoun (2084×)H3318 1. Qal: go out, depart, come forth (891×)H7725 1. to return, come/go back (Qal) (874×)H5927 1. go up, ascend (Qal) (779×)H7971 1. to send, dispatch (Qal) (701×)G2064 1. come / arrive (physical movement toward) (588×)H5307 1. Qal: fall down physically (339×)H5375 1. Qal: to lift up, raise (330×)H5975 1. to stand, stand up (310×)H5674a 1. Qal: pass by, pass through (256×)H3381 1. Qal: to go down, descend (physical movement) (242×)G1831 1. go/come out physically (193×)H5337 1. deliver, rescue, save (Hifil) (188×)H7901 1. lie down, rest, sleep (183×)G1525 1. enter a place physically (179×)H7812 1. prostrate oneself, bow down, worship (173×)H3318 2. Hifil: bring out, lead out, take out (persons) (172×)H7725 2. to bring back, restore (Hifil) (151×)H5674a 2. Qal: cross over (134×)
BDB / Lexicon Reference
χριστιᾱνός, ὁ, Christian, NT adverb -νῶς, ζῆν Refs 3rd c.AD+