[Greek] πολιτεύομαι (politeuomai): to be a citizen, to take part in political life, to conduct oneself with proper references to obligations to others, to administer the state, to be a public servant, to “walk” (conduct oneself in life), to conduct politics; Act.23:1, Phil.1:27
Citizens (politicans) who take part in the political life of Athens
Background Information:
The Polis: The polis (city) was a very important phenomenon in Hellenistic culture. The polis was the center of social, economic, and political life. It was a duty, honor, and privilege for the individual to serve the state in some capacity. Although the state held ultimate authority, citizenship required that one be subject to the state’s laws.
Greco-Roman culture: Individuals were subservient to the state. Citizens and public servants gave their allegiance and support to the city/state. Citizenship included political acts or dealings. Privileges came along with those servants who served the state. It was a willing sense of pride to be a public servant. Citizens and military often would swear loyalty to the emperor. Conversely, the country folk, farmers, and outsiders were looked down upon in a subtle manner. These people were called “idiotes” because they were not capable of being a government servant.
Old Testament: Instead of meaning citizenship, this Greek term politeuomai has a religious sense of “to walk.” Religion is a law which regulates the life of society and individual conduct. The Jewish life bears a different character in how one “walks” in life, rather than a physical location. Jewish society finds expression in one’s character, conduct, and identity. This is evident in the Diaspora of the Jews, who maintained their Jewish identity in other lands.
New Testament: The Old Testament culture had already developed the notion of the heavenly Jerusalem. However, the New Testament culture further develops this idea in a new and spiritual focus in terms of hope. Jerusalem was recognized as the headquarters for all Christianity. Paul develops the notion of a heavenly city, whose builder and maker is God. This New Jerusalem will descend to a new earth at the consummation of salvation. This is the future city to which the Christians look forward to.
Citizens in the New Jerusalem
Scripture:
“Paul looked intently at the Sanhedrin and said, ‘My brothers, I have conducted myself with a perfectly clear conscience before God to this day.” Act. 23:1
Paul does not speak of his “walk in life” in a religious sense. Paul speaks in a Greek Hellenistic way of being a citizen or public servant in the community of Christ. Paul claims he conducted his life in his obligation to others as a follower of Christ.
“Only, conduct yourselves in a way worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that, whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear news of you, that you are standing firm in one Spirit, with one mind struggling together for the faith of the gospel.” Phil.1:27
Phillipi, in northeastern Greece, was an important city in the Roman province of Macedonia. Paul was appealing to the Phillipians’ sense of civic and public responsibility. Paul was asking the Christians to be citizens of Christ’s community.
Conclusion:
Polite, political, politics
It is interesting to note that human motivations are often constant throughout history. In today’s world, there is still that desire to serve the public in the political arena. And with that comes the prestige in being a career politician. With this also comes the potential temptation for power and corruption.