Erastus

Info

• #coworker #benefactor
• Home:: Corinth
• Other Locales:: Ephesian Church, Miletus
• References:: Acts 19#19:22, Romans 16#16:23, 2 Timothy 4#4:20

Notes

• Held the position of city treasurer (oikonomos) of Corinth (Romans 16#16:23)
• An inscription found in Corinth reading "Erastus pro aedilitate" may refer to this individual

Summary

Erastus is notable for being the highest-ranking civic official named in the Pauline network. In Romans 16#16:23, Paul sends greetings from "Erastus, the city treasurer (ho oikonomos tēs poleōs)." The oikonomos was a significant municipal position responsible for the city's financial administration, making Erastus a man of considerable civic standing and wealth.

In Acts 19#19:22, Paul sends Erastus to Macedonia along with Timothy during the third equipping servant journey, while Paul remained in Asia. This shows Erastus was a trusted coworker, not merely a peripheral supporter. Paul assigned him to a mission alongside his closest protégé.

In 2 Timothy 4#4:20, Paul notes that "Erastus remained at Corinth." This final reference places Erastus back in his home city during Paul's last journey before his final imprisonment, perhaps continuing his civic duties.

In 1929, archaeologists excavating ancient Corinth discovered a pavement inscription reading: "Erastus pro aedilitate s.p. stravit" ("Erastus, in return for his aedileship, laid [this pavement] at his own expense"). The aedile was a Roman civic magistrate responsible for public works, a role consistent with the oikonomos Paul mentions. If this inscription refers to the same Erastus, it provides one of the very few archaeological corroborations of a specific individual named in the New Testament. The inscription dates to the mid-first century, fitting the timeline. This remains one of the most compelling candidates for a Pauline-era epigraphic match.

Erastus's presence in the Corinthian church shows that the early Christian movement attracted people across the social spectrum. It included not only slaves, freedmen, and artisans, but also members of the civic elite. His conversion carried social costs through association with a marginal religious movement but also brought resources and legitimacy to the community.

References

• theodoretCommentaryRomansc425 - Theodoret of Cyrus's patristic commentary on Romans, with early church interpretation of Erastus in Romans 16:23.
• mouleEpistlePaulApostle2015 - Moule's commentary on Romans covering Erastus's mention in Romans 16:23.
• bruceRomans2014 - F.F. Bruce's Romans commentary addressing Erastus in Romans 16:23.
• mcclainRomansGospelGod1989 - McClain's Romans commentary covering Erastus in Paul's closing greetings.
• mooEncounteringBookRomans2002 - Moo's Romans survey covering the greetings context where Erastus appears in Romans 16:23.
• wrightChallengeActsRediscovering2024 - Wright's study of Acts as theological history, covering Erastus's role in Acts 19:22.
• polhillActs1992 - Polhill's Acts commentary covering Erastus in Acts 19:22.
• paoActsIsaianicNew2002 - Pao's study of Acts through the lens of Isaiah's new exodus, providing theological context for Erastus's narrative in Acts 19:22.
• addisonActsMovementGod2023 - Addison examines the Acts narrative as a movement model, including Erastus's contribution in Acts 19:22.
• Who was Erastus in the Bible? - GotQuestions.org
• Erastus inscription - Wikipedia