What is the definition of ekklesia?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

Ekklesia is the Greek term usually translated “church.” It combines ek (“out of”) and kaleo (“to call”). While the word literally carries the idea of a gathering of “called out” people, it was not originally a Christian term. In ancient Greek and Roman society, ekklesia referred broadly to an assembly or public meeting, not necessarily a religious one. The New Testament even uses it in this general sense of an “assembly” for a civic gathering in Ephesus (Acts 19:32, 39, 41). Over time, however, the term came to describe those whom God had called to Himself through Christ—believers who gathered regularly for worship, teaching, prayer, and fellowship (Acts 2:42–47).

Jesus promised to build His church (Matthew 16:18) and spoke of its authority to maintain spiritual accountability (Matthew 18:17). As the gospel spread, ekklesia was used for both local congregations and the worldwide body of believers (Acts 9:31; 1 Corinthians 1:2; Galatians 1:2). Paul described the church as Christ’s body, built together under His headship to uphold truth and display God’s wisdom (Ephesians 1:22–23; 1 Timothy 3:15). Through the church, believers gather for encouragement, grow in holiness, and proclaim God’s saving mercy to the world (Hebrews 10:24–25; Matthew 28:19–20; 1 Peter 2:9).

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• Ekklesia is not mentioned in the Old Testament, but it is clear that God created His people to be in intentional community with one another. Israel was called to gather regularly for worship and instruction (Deuteronomy 31:12–13), to bear one another’s burdens within the covenant community (Leviticus 19:17–18), and to live as a unified people set apart for God (Exodus 19:5–6).

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• The word ekklesia simply means “assembly” or “gathering.” It was a common Greek term long before Christianity began, used in secular writings and civic contexts to describe public meetings of citizens. Ancient Greek manuscripts and classical authors such as Thucydides and Aristotle used ekklesia to describe assemblies convened for government or community business. The New Testament itself uses the term this way when describing the uproar in Ephesus: “Now some cried out one thing, some another, for the assembly (ekklesia) was in confusion” (Acts 19:32). Only later did the word come to refer specifically to those gathered in Christ’s name, but its core meaning—an assembled people—remains consistent throughout Scripture.
• Sometimes it is explained as 'the called out ones’ because the word ekklesia comes from ek (“out of”) and kaleō (“to call”). Though that etymology reflects its parts, in classical Greek the term simply referred to an assembly or gathering. Though reading “called out ones” directly into the term overstates its meaning, the idea is still theologically accurate. Peter describes believers as those whom God “called out of darkness into his marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9). The church, then, is made up of people whom God has redeemed and gathered from every background to belong to Him. They are distinct not because of where they meet, but because they have been made holy through faith in Christ.
• The writer of Hebrews emphasizes the importance of that gathering, urging believers not to neglect meeting together but to encourage one another and stir up love and good works (Hebrews 10:23–25). The ekklesia exists to strengthen faith, provide mutual care, and remind the saints of their shared hope in Christ.
• Finally, Scripture teaches that all believers belong to the one body of Christ, united by the Spirit and anchored in the gospel (Ephesians 4:4–6; 1 Corinthians 12:12–13). Local churches are the visible expressions of that body in specific places. They are not defined by buildings or programs but by the people who assemble in Christ’s name to worship, serve, and proclaim His truth together.

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

The church is made up of all those who have been saved through faith in Jesus Christ and united to Him by the Holy Spirit. These believers, called the people of God, are joined together as one body under Christ, their head. The church is not a building or an event but a living community of redeemed people who belong to Christ and to one another.

Every Christian is part of the body of Christ, sometimes referred to as “the universal church”; yet Scripture also calls each believer to belong to a local congregation. The local church is where believers gather for worship, teaching, prayer, and mutual encouragement. It is where spiritual gifts are exercised and where faith matures through shared life and accountability.

Participation in a local church is not optional but an essential spiritual practice for growing in Christlikeness. When believers gather, they proclaim the gospel, serve one another, and bear witness to the world that Jesus is Lord. Each person contributes to the strength and unity of the body, and every act of service helps the church fulfill its mission. Committing to a local church is an expression of love for Christ Himself, who builds and sustains His people until He comes again.

UNDERSTAND

• Ekklesia means a people “called out” by God.
• Ekklesia refers to believers themselves rather than buildings.
• Ekklesia refers both to the universal body of Christ and to local congregations.

REFLECT

• How does understanding that you are part of God’s “called out” people change the way you view your role in the church?
• How do you actively participate in your local congregation to encourage others and grow in faith?
• How does seeing the church as people rather than a building influence your commitment to the body of Christ?

ENGAGE

• How can we ensure that our gatherings truly reflect ekklesia as a people called out by God?
• What practical steps can we take to strengthen both the local church and the universal body of Christ?
• How does our understanding of the church as Christ’s body shape how we interact with and support one another?