πολίτευμα

πολίτευμα — políteuma

πολίτευμα, πολιτευματος, τό (πολιτεύω), in Greek writings from Plato down;

1. the administration of civil affairs or of a commonwealth (R. V. text (Phil. as below) citizenship).

2. the constitution of a commonwealth, form of government and the laws by which it is administered.

3. a state, commonwealth (so R. V. marginal reading): ἡμῶν, the commonwealth whose citizens we are (see πόλις, b.), Php 3:20, cf. Meyer and Wiesinger at the passage; of Christians it is said ἐπί γῆς διατριβουσιν, ἀλλ' ἐν οὐρανῷ πολιτευονται, Epist. ad Diogn. c. 5 [ET]; (τῶν σοφῶν ψυχαί) πατρίδα μέν τόν οὐράνιον χῶρον, ἐν ᾧ πολιτευονται, ξένον τόν περιγειον ἐν ᾧ παρῴκησαν νομιζουσαι, Philo de confus. ling. § 17; (γυναῖκες... τῷ τῆς ἀρετῆς ἐγγεγραμμεναι πολιτευματι, de agricult. § 17 at the end. Cf. especially Lightfoot on Philippians, the passage cited).