Stratiotes denotes a soldier in armed service, under orders, guarding prisoners, or figuratively enduring hardship.

The dominant use identifies members of an armed force acting under authority, guarding prisoners, escorting Paul, or carrying out actions connected with Jesus’ crucifixion. A single figurative occurrence applies the image of such a person to enduring suffering for Christ Jesus.

1. Armed personnel under authority or on duty · dominant

   The plural forms identify personnel who receive and carry out commands: in Matthew 8:9 the APB renders a speaker as having such men under him who go and come at his word. They also guard prisoners in Acts 12:6, escort Paul in Acts 23:31, act during Jesus’ crucifixion in John 19:23, and make decisions concerning prisoners aboard the ship in Acts 27:42.

   Matthew 8:9Acts 12:6Acts 23:31John 19:23John 19:34Acts 27:42
2. Figurative model of enduring service · rare

   In 2 Timothy 2:3, the nominative singular form appears in an exhortation to join in suffering; the APB renders the comparison as being “a good soldier of Christ Jesus.” The verse uses the military figure for the person addressed rather than identifying a literal armed person.

   2 Timothy 2:3

In the Anselm Project Bible: The APB regularly presents the plural forms as “soldiers” in scenes of command, custody, escort, and crucifixion, and uses “soldier” for singular contexts such as Acts 10:7 and Acts 28:16. In 2 Timothy 2:3 it renders the figurative comparison as “a good soldier of Christ Jesus”; these are whole-verse renderings.