(ἰδιῶται , private men), a term applied by some early writers to laymen in distinction from ministers (κλῆροι). Chrysostom (Homil. 35) and Theodoret (Comm. in 1 Corinthians) employ the word in this signification, and show that the apostle Paul (1 Corinthians 14:16) thus designates a private person, whether learned or unlearned. So also Origen, Contra Cels. 7, p. 334. See Bingham, Orig. Eccles. bk. 1, ch. 5, § 6. (See LAITY).
The Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological, and Ecclesiastical Literature was edited by John McClintock and James Strong. It contains nearly 50,000 articles pertaining to Biblical and other religious literature, people, creeds, etc. It is a fantastic research tool for broad Christian study.
John McClintock was born October 27, 1814 in Philadelphia to Irish immigrants, John and Martha McClintock. He began as a clerk in his father's store, and then became a bookkeeper in the Methodist Book Concern in New York. Here he converted to Methodism and considered joining the ministry. McClintock entered the University of Pennsylvania in 1832 and graduated with high honors three years later. Subsequently, he was awarded a doctorate of divinity degree from the same institution in 1848.WikipediaRead More