Meaning of the Greek Word Ekklesia in the Bible

The Greek word for "church," ἐκκλησία (ekklēsía), fundamentally means "an assembly" or "a calling out" ^{[1, 5]}. This term is derived from a compound of ἐκ (ek), meaning "out of," and a derivative of καλέω (kaleō), meaning "to call" ^[1]. In its classical usage, it referred to an assembly of citizens convened by a magistrate or legitimate authority ^{[2, 5]}.

In the New Testament, ἐκκλησία is the Greek word translated as "church" ^[3]. It is synonymous with the Hebrew kahal of the Old Testament, both signifying an assembly whose character is determined by its context ^{[3, 5]}. For example, in Acts 19:32, 39, and 41, ἐκκλησία refers to a secular assembly, specifically the riotous crowd in Ephesus ^{[5, 10]}. However, its primary New Testament usage is for an assembly or company of Christians ^[5].

The term is never used in the New Testament to denote a physical building or place of worship, though this meaning became common in post-apostolic times ^{[3, 4]}. Instead, it consistently refers to the congregation or assembly of believers ^[9]. For instance, Paul refers to "the church that is in their house" (Romans 16:5), indicating a gathering of believers rather than a structure ^{[7, 9]}. Similarly, in 1 Corinthians 16:19, "the churches of Asia" refers to multiple Christian communities ^[7].

The New Testament uses ἐκκλησία in several ways to describe the Christian community:

Local Assemblies: It can refer to specific congregations in particular geographic locations, such as "the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria" (Acts 9:31) ^[6].
The Universal Church: It also refers to the collective body of Christians, both on earth and in heaven ^[1]. Jesus states, "I will build my church" (Matthew 16:18), indicating a singular, overarching entity ^[4].
Figurative Descriptions: Beyond the literal assembly, the church is described metaphorically as the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:27; Ephesians 1:23), the bride of Christ (2 Corinthians 11:2; Revelation 19:7), the temple of the living God (1 Corinthians 3:16), and God's flock (Acts 20:28) ^[11]. It is understood as a community of believers, both Jews and Gentiles, reflecting God's glory ^[8].

The Septuagint (LXX), the Greek translation of the Old Testament, frequently uses ἐκκλησία to translate the Hebrew kahal, referring to the assembly, congregation, or community of Israel, as seen in Deuteronomy 4:10 and 23:2 ^[5]. This usage provides a significant background for the New Testament's application of the term to the Christian community, suggesting a continuity in the concept of a divinely called assembly ^[5].

While some theories suggest the English word "church" derives from the Greek kuriakon ("belonging to the Lord"), referring to a place of worship, this derivation is debated ^{[2, 3]}. The New Testament's consistent use of ἐκκλησία emphasizes the people, the "called out" community, rather than a physical location ^{[2, 3, 9]}.

Sources

Strong's Greek Dictionary “[G1577] ἐκκλησία (ekklēsía) — Definition: a calling out, i.e. (concretely) a popular meeting, especially a religious congregation (Jewish synagogue, or Christian community of members on earth or saints in heaven or both) | Derivation: from a compound of G1537 (ἐκ) and a derivative of G2564 (καλέω); | KJV usage: assembly, church”
Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Church — + The derivation of the word is generally said to be from the Greek kuriakon (kuriakon) "belonging to the Lord." But the derivation has been too hastily assumed. It is probably connected with kirk, the Latin circus, circulus, the Greek kuklos (kuklos) because the congregations were gathered in circles. + Ecclesia (ekklesia) the Greek word for church, originally meant an assembly called out by the magistrate, or by legitimate authority. It was in this last sense that the word was adapted and applied by the writers of the New Testament to the Christian congrega”
Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Church — Derived probably from the Greek kuriakon (i.e., "the Lord's house"), which was used by ancient authors for the place of worship. In the New Testament it is the translation of the Greek word ecclesia, which is synonymous with the Hebrew kahal of the Old Testament, both words meaning simply an assembly, the character of which can only be known from the connection in which the word is found. There is no clear instance of its being used for a place of meeting or of worship, although in post-apostolic times it early received this meaning. Nor is this word ever us”
TFLSJ (Liddell-Scott-Jones) “[G1577] ἐκκλησία — assembly (part 5/5): .30, +others ">LXX</a>] <Level3>__II.2</Level3> in NT, the Church, as a body of Christians, [<a href="javascript:void(0)" title=" NT.Matt.16.18, NT.1Cor.11.22; ἡ κατ᾽ οἶκόν τινος ἐ. NT.Rom.16.5 ">NT</a>]; as a building, [<a href="javascript:void(0)" title=" “Codex Justinianus [4th-6th c.AD]” 1.1.5 “Intr.”, etc. ">Refs</a>]”
STEPBible TBESG “[G1577] G1577 = (G1577) — ἐκκλησία, -ας, ἡ (ἐκ-καλέω), [in LXX chiefly for קָהָל, otherwise for one of its cogn. forms ;] __1. prop., an assembly of citizens regularly convened (in Thuc., ii, 22, opposite to σύλλογος, a concourse): <ref='Act.19.32, 39, 41'>Act.19:32, 39 41</ref>. __2. In LXX of the assembly, congregation, community of Israel (<ref='Deu.4.10; 23.2'>Deu.4:10 23:2</ref>, al.): <ref='Act.7.38'>Act.7:38</ref>, <ref='Heb.2.12'>Heb.2:12</ref>" (LXX) . __3. NT, esp. of an assembly or company of Christians, a (the) church; ”
MACULA Greek “Acts 9:31 — Greek linguistic analysis (MACULA): Text: Ἠ μὲν οὖν ἐκκλησία καθ’ ὅλης τῆς Ἰουδαίας καὶ Γαλιλαίας καὶ Σαμαρίας εἶχεν εἰρήνην οἰκοδομουμένη καὶ πορευομένη τῷ φόβῳ τοῦ Κυρίου καὶ τῇ παρακλήσει τοῦ Ἁγίου Πνεύματος ἐπληθύνετο Word-by-word: Ἠ = "The" [3588] T-NSF; μὲν = "indeed" [3303] PRT; οὖν = "then" [3767] CONJ; ἐκκλησία = "church" [1577] N-NSF; καθ’ = "throughout" [2596] PREP; ὅλης = "all" [3650] A-GSF; τῆς = "-" [3588] T-GSF; Ἰουδαίας = "of Judea" [2449] N-GSF; καὶ = "and" [2532] CONJ; Γαλιλαίας = "Galilee" [1056] N-GSF; καὶ = "and" [2532] CONJ; Σαμαρίας = "Samaria" [4540] N-GSF; ”
MACULA Greek “1 Corinthians 16:19 — Greek linguistic analysis (MACULA): Text: Ἀσπάζονται ὑμᾶς αἱ ἐκκλησίαι τῆς Ἀσίας ἀσπάζεται ὑμᾶς ἐν Κυρίῳ πολλὰ Ἀκύλας καὶ Πρίσκα σὺν τῇ κατ’ οἶκον αὐτῶν ἐκκλησίᾳ Word-by-word: Ἀσπάζονται = "Greet" [782] V-PNI-3P; ὑμᾶς = "you" [4771] P-2AP; αἱ = "the" [3588] T-NPF; ἐκκλησίαι = "churches" [1577] N-NPF; τῆς = "-" [3588] T-GSF; Ἀσίας = "of Asia" [773] N-GSF; ἀσπάζεται = "Greet" [782] V-PNI-3S; ὑμᾶς = "you" [4771] P-2AP; ἐν = "in" [1722] PREP; Κυρίῳ = "[the] Lord" [2962] N-DSM; πολλὰ = "heartily" [4183] A-APN; Ἀκύλας = "Aquila" [207] N-NSM; καὶ = "and" [2532] CONJ; Πρίσκα = "P”
Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 3:21: 3:21 The church—the community of believers, both Jews and Gentiles—is to be the reflection and full expression of the glory of God.”
Romans (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Romans 16:5: The Church that is in their house - In these primitive times no such places existed as those which we now term churches; the word always signifying the congregation or assembly of believers, and not the place they assembled in. See the term defined at the end of the notes, Mat 16:28 (note). Epenetus - the first fruits of Achaia - In Co1 16:15, the house or family of Stephanas is said to be the first fruits of Achaia: how then can it be said here, that Epenetus was the first fruits, or first person who had received the Gospel in that district? Ans. - Epenetus might h”
Acts (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Acts 19:41: He dismissed the assembly - Την εκκλησιαν. Another proof that the word εκκλησια, which we generally translate church, signifies an assembly of any kind, good or bad, legal or illegal. 1. How forcible are right words! From the conduct of this prudent, sensible man, we may learn how much influence persons of this character may have, even over the unbridled multitude. But, where the civil power associates itself with the lawless might of the many, There must be confusion and every evil work. What a blessing to the community is the civil law! Were it not for this, the un”
Acts (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Acts 20:28: 20:28 Paul refers to the church as God’s people and God’s flock (cp. 1 Pet 2:25; 5:2, 4). Elsewhere the church is called the body of Christ (1 Cor 12:27; Eph 1:23; 4:12; Col 1:24); the bride of Christ (2 Cor 11:2; Rev 19:7; see Eph 5:25-32); the temple of the living God (1 Cor 3:16; 2 Cor 6:16); a chosen people, royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession (1 Pet 2:9); and God’s field, God’s building (1 Cor 3:9). • Paul expected the leaders to feed and shepherd the church over which the Holy Spirit had appointed them as leaders (see 1 Tim 3:1-7; Titus 1:”

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