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GYMNASIUM

A Greek institution where young men in the nude trained their bodies, minds, and souls through bodily exercise. Ancient sources note how inseparable the gymnasium was from the Greek way of life and from Greek cities (Strabo Geog. 5.4.7; Pausanias Descr. Gr. 10.4.1). The gymnasium was associated with homosexual behavior, especially pedophilia, and many Romans saw the gymnasium as a place where their youth were corrupted (Cicero Tusc. disp. 4.70; De leg. 4.4.4; Tacitus Ann. 14.20.4). There are no NT references to the gymnasium (but cf. gymnázō, “train,” used metaphorically in 1 Tim. 4:7; Heb. 5:14; 12:11; 2 Pet. 2:14; gymnasía, “physical training,” referring to ascetic disciplines in 1 Tim. 4:8).

Of particular historical significance to Judaism was the introduction of gymnasiums in Judea in the 2nd century b.c. The construction of a gymnasium in Jerusalem led to the denial of the holy covenant by many Judean Jews under the reign of Antiochus Epiphanes IV (175-164; 1 Macc. 1:10-15). Jewish participation in the gymnasium was synonymous with removal of circumcision and assimilation of pagan ways (2 Macc. 4:7-17). Introduction of this Greek institution fomented conservative Jewish reaction against assimilation, which in turn bred Jewish sects in the mid-2nd century b.c.

Bibliography. R. E. Wycherley, How the Greeks Built Cities, 2nd ed. (New York, 1976).

Richard E. Oster, Jr.

Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

GYMNASIUM

Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible (2000)