Map of Achaia
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The geography of Greece forced most of the population to dwell in the beautiful sea ports and thus spread their culture throughout the Mediterranean. Achaia was a Roman Province in New Testament times. Paul spent much time there and expressed his love toward the churches in Achaia, and commended them for their liberal giving.
2 Corinthians 1:1 - Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy [our] brother, unto the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints which are in all Achaia:
Achaia in the Smith's Bible Dictionary
Achaia
(trouble) signifies in the New Testament a Roman province which
included the whole of the Peloponnesus and the greater part of
Hellas proper, with the adjacent islands. This province, with that
of Macedonia, comprehended the while of Greece; hence Achaia and
Macedonia are frequently mentioned together in the New Testament to
indicate all Greece. Ac 18:12; 19:21; Ro 15:26; 16:5; 1Co 16:15; 2Co
7:5; 9:2; 11:10; 1Th 1:7,8 In the time of the emperor Claudius it
was governed by a proconsul, translated in the Authorized Version
"deputy," of Achaia. Ac 18:12.
Full Article
Achaia
in the Bible Encyclopedia - ISBE
ACHAIA
a-ka'-ya (Achaia): The
smallest country in the Peloponnesus lying along the southern shore
of the Corinthian Gulf, north of Arcadia and east of Elis. The
original inhabitants were Ionians, but these were crowded out later
by the Acheans, who came from the East. According to Herodotus, the
former founded twelve cities, many of which retain their original
names to this day. These cities were on the coast and formed a
confederation of smaller communities, which in the last century of
the independent history of Greece attained to great importance
(Achaean League). In Roman times the term Achaia was used to include
the whole of Greece, exclusive of Thessaly. Today Achaia forms with
Elis one district, and contains a population of nearly a quarter of
a million. The old Achean League was renewed in 280 BC, but became
more important in 251, when Aratus of Sicyon was chosen
commander-in-chief. This great man increased the power of the League
and gave it an excellent constitution, which our own great practical
politicians, Hamilton and Madison, consulted, adopting many of its
prominent devices, when they set about framing the Constitution of
the United States. In 146 BC Corinth was destroyed and the League
broken up (see 1 Macc 15:23); and the whole of Greece, under the
name of Achaia, was transformed into a Roman province, which was
divided into two separate provinces, Macedonia and Achaia, in 27 BC.
In Acts 18:12 we are told that the Jews in Corinth made insurrection
against Paul when Gallio was deputy of Achaia, and in 18:27 that
Apollos was making preparations to set out for Achaia In Rom 16:5,
"Achaia" should read "ASIA" as in the Revised Version (British and
American). In Acts 20:2 "Greece" means Achaia, but the oft-mentioned
"Macedonia and Achaia" generally means the whole of Greece (Acts
19:21; Rom 15:26; 1 Thess 1:8). Paul commends the churches of Achaia
for their liberality (2 Cor 9:13).
Full Article
The Bible Mentions "Achaia" in many places:
1 Thessalonians 1:8 -
For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia
and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to
God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak any thing.
Acts 18:12
- And when Gallio was the deputy of Achaia, the Jews
made insurrection with one accord against Paul, and brought him to
the judgment seat,
Acts 18:27
- And when he was disposed to pass into Achaia, the
brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him: who, when he
was come, helped them much which had believed through grace:
Acts 19:21
- After these things were ended, Paul purposed in the spirit, when
he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to
Jerusalem, saying, After I have been there, I must also see Rome.
Romans 16:5
- Likewise [greet] the church that is in their house. Salute my well
beloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia
unto Christ.
2
Corinthians 1:1 - Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the
will of God, and Timothy [our] brother, unto the church of God which
is at Corinth, with all the saints which are in all Achaia:
2
Corinthians 9:2 - For I know the forwardness of your mind,
for which I boast of you to them of Macedonia, that Achaia
was ready a year ago; and your zeal hath provoked very many.
Romans
15:26 - For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and
Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints
which are at Jerusalem.
1
Corinthians 16:15 - I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the
house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia,
and [that] they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the
saints,)
2
Corinthians 11:10 - As the truth of Christ is in me, no man
shall stop me of this boasting in the regions of Achaia.
1
Thessalonians 1:7 - So that ye were ensamples to all that
believe in Macedonia and Achaia.