ASIA

ASIA

In the NT this term does not refer to the continent now called Asia, and does not even include all of so-called Asia Minor; It simply refers to the western part of Asia Minor bequeathed to Rome by Attalus III Philometor, king of Pergamon or king of Asia, in 133 BC.

This province, of which Ephesus was the capital, included Caria, Lydia and Mysia, which were anciently called Doris, Lonia and Aelois. It was governed by a proconsul.

In Acts. 2:9, 10, “Asia” does not include Cappadocia, Pontus, Phrygia, or Pamphylia, which are all in Asia Minor (see also 1 Pet. 1:1). It can be seen on the map that the seven churches of Asia mentioned in Revelation are all in the treated district.

Paul dedicated much work in other parts of Asia Minor, and since there is frequent connection between the various localities and Ephesus, it may be that in some passages “Asia” is understood as a larger area (e.g., Acts 19:10 , 26, 27).

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