Kappa omicron lambda lambda eta theta epsilon nu tau epsilon zeta in Acts 17.34 and the Establishment of the Athenian Church

ABSTRACT

It is commonly stated that while the author of Acts records some conversions that resulted from Paul's Athenian ministry, it is unlikely that a church was established in the city. This article argues, through an analysis of the use of the kappa omicron lambda lambda alpha omega word family in Luke-Acts, the Septuagint, early Christian writings and other relevant texts, that Luke uses the participle kappa omicron lambda lambda eta theta epsilon nu tau epsilon zeta as a way of signifying that a Christian community was indeed gathered together in Athens at this time. Leaving other social groups to join Paul and the other new believers, the new group is fused together by their shared faith, forming a new faith community in this ancient city.