BDAG (Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Early Christian Literature):
7983 Χριστιανός
• Χριστιανός, οῦ, ὁ (formed like Ἡρῳδιανοί [q.v.] or Καισαριανοί Epict. 1, 19, 19; s. TMommsen, Her 34, 1899, 151f; Dssm., LO 323 [LAE 377]; Hahn 263, 9; B-D-F §5, 2. On the Pompeian ins CIL IV 679, the reading of which is quite uncertain, s. VSchultze, ZKG 5, 1881, 125ff. On the spelling Χρηστιανός Ac 11:26; 26:28; 1 Pt 4:16 [all v.l.]; AcPl Ha 9, 19 [cp. Just., A I, 4, 5]; s. FBlass, Her 30, 1895, 465ff; Harnack, SBBerlAk 1915, 762; B-D-F §24; Mlt-H. 72) one who is associated w. Christ, Christ-partisan, Christian (so also Lucian, Alex. 25; 38, M. Peregr. 11; 12; 13; 16; Tacitus, Ann. 15, 44; Suetonius, Nero 16; Pliny the Younger, Ep. 10, 96, 1; 2; 3 al., also in Trajan’s reply; ApcSed prol.; Ar., Just., Ath.; s. Hemer, Acts 177) Ac 11:26; 26:28; 1 Pt 4:16 (JKnox, JBL 72, ’53, 187-89); IEph 11:2; IMg 4; IRo 3:2; IPol 7:3; MPol 3; 10:1; 12:1, 2; D 12:4; PtK 2 p. 15, 8; τῶν Χρ. Dg 1:1. Without the art. 2:6, 10; 4:6; 5:1; 6:1-9. πολλοὺς Χρ. ActPl Ha 9, 19.—As an adj. χριστιανός, ή, όν: ἡ χριστιανὴ τροφή ITr 6:1.—For inscriptions s. esp. EGibson, The ‘Christians for Christians’ Inscriptions from Phrygia ’78; New Docs 128-39.—RLipsius, Über den Ursprung u. ältesten Gebr. des Christennamens, Prog. Jena 1873; Zahn, Einl. II3 41ff; FKattenbusch, Das apostol. Symbol II 1900, 557ff; JDaniels, De Naam ΧΡΙΣΤΙΑΝΟΙ: De Studiën 76, 1907, 568-80; JLeCoultre, De l’étymologie du mot ‘Chrétien’: RTP 40, 1907, 188-96; AGercke, Der Christenname ein Scheltname: Festschr. z. Jahrhundertfeier d. Univers. Breslau 1911, 360ff; Harnack, Mission I4 1923, 424ff; EPeterson, Christianus: Miscellanea Giov. Mercati I ’46, 355-72; EBickerman, HTR 42, ’49, 109-24; JMoreau, La Nouvelle Clio 4, ’50, 190-92; HMattingly, JTS 9, ’58, 26-37 (cp. the term Augustiani); CSpicq, StTh 15, ’61, 68-78 (cp. the adj. Ciceronianus=of or belonging to Cicero: Sen., Con. 7, 2, 12).—DELG s.v. χρίω. M-M. EDNT. TW. Sv.
Kittel, ed. Theological Dictionary of the New Testament (10 vols.):
Ac. 11:26 contains a note that the disciples—obviously the term which the original believers used for themselves—were first called Χριοστιανοι in Antioch. Χριστιανος is formed from Christ in analogy to ‘Ηρωδινοι and Καισαριανοι. It denotes Christ’s adherents, those who belong to him. It seems most likely that the term was first used by non-Christians, though this does not have to imply that it was meant derisively. Since such designations are usually based on names, it is possible that in Antioch Χριστος was taken to be a proper name outside the Christian community, probably the name of a god. A reason or coining the term Χριστιανοι is that the Christians in Antioch were now viewed as a separate society rather than as a section of the Jewish synagogue (on this c. Ac. 11:19-26a); possibly they were regarded as a kind of mystery fellowship. It is also worth noting that the term Χριστιανοι (Ac. 11:26) is connected with Paul’s work in Antioch. He spent a full year there and attracted a large following. Paul speaks very pointedly of Jesus as Χριστος—a pre-Pauline formula which he is quick to adopt. Thus the designation Χριστος was perhaps the dominant one for Jesus in Antioch, and Paul played a decisive part in promoting it. This leads to the use of Χριστιανοι for the μαθηται, and the term spreads rapidly to other places. (IX: 536-37)
Louw-Nida, Greek English Lexicon of the New Testament Based on Semantic Domains (2d ed.)
11.35 Χριστιανός, οῦ m: one who is identified as a believer in and follower of Christ - 'Christian.' χρηματίσαι τε πρώτως ἐν Ἀντιοχείᾳ τοὺς μαθητὰς Χριστιανούς 'it was at Antioch that the believers were first called Christians' Ac 11.26.
