Countryman
Culture & SocietyWhat is the meaning of Countryman in the Bible?
A countryman is an individual belonging to the same nation, tribe, or local community, defined by shared ethnic or geographic origins rather than immediate familial ties. In the New Testament, the term appears in passages such as 1 Thessalonians 2:14 and 2 Corinthians 11:26 to refer to fellow Jews or compatriots.
SIGNIFICANCE
Recognizing the meaning of 'countryman' illuminates the ethnic solidarity and shared identity within early Jewish Christian communities, helping readers understand how communal bonds shaped the reception of the gospel and the specific nature of persecution described in the epistles.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
- Why did the biblical author mention Countryman in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Countryman clarify?
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.