Ark of the Covenant - Bible History Online
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roman citizenship Summary and Overview

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roman citizenship in Schaff's Bible Dictionary

ROMAN CITIZENSHIP the privileges enjoyed by certain subjects of the Roman empire. The right was obtained by inheritance or by purchase, Acts 22:28, or by military service, by favor, or by manumission. Among the privileges of this position was, the possessor could not be imprisoned without trial. Acts 22:29, still less be scourged, Acts 16:37, or crucified. Since to inflict either of these was a great indignity and severely punished, the assertion that one was a Roman citizen was a deterrent. But Jews who escaped on this account were still liable to their own law. 2 Cor 11:24. The right of appeal unto Caesar was one of the privileges of Roman citizenship. Acts 25:11. Paul was a Roman citizen, and repeatedly availed himself of his privileges against the violence of the mob. The words "I am a Roman citizen" had a magic power all over the civilized world, and even among barbarians.

roman citizenship in Fausset's Bible Dictionary

Paul's Roman citizenship was of the lower kind, which though not entitling him to vote with the tribes and enjoy a magistracy, yet secured to him the protection of the laws of the empire, and the right of appeal from his own hostile countrymen to Caesar, as also exemption from scourging (Acts 16:37; Acts 22:25-28; Acts 25:11). He seems to have inherited it from his father. Hence, he naturally uses the image to express the believer's high privileges as a citizen of the heavenly Jerusalem. "Our citizenship (Greek, or rather our life as citizens; politeuma, not politeia) is in heaven," etc. (Philemon 3:20); an image especially appropriate at Philippi, it being a Roman colony and possessing Roman citizenship of which its people were proud. Moreover, it was there that Paul had compelled the magistrates publicly to recognize a Roman citizen's privileges. So believers, though absent from their heavenly city in body, still enjoy its civic privileges and protection; pilgrims on earth, citizens of heaven (Ephesians 2:6; Galatians 4:26; Hebrews 11:9-10; Hebrews 11:13-16; Hebrews 12:22; Revelation 21:2; Revelation 21:10; Luke 10:20).