Fortunatus
Fortunatus
Info
- #coworker
- Home:: Corinthian Church
- Other Locales:: Ephesian Church
- References:: 1 Corinthians 16#16:17
Notes
- Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus are mentioned together in 1 Corinthians 16#16:17. They visited Paul in Ephesian Church.
Summary
Fortunatus is mentioned once in 1 Corinthians 16#16:17, where Paul writes: "I rejoice at the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus, because they have made up for your absence, for they refreshed my spirit as well as yours. So give recognition to such people" (1 Corinthians 16#16:17-18).
His Latin name Fortunatus ("blessed, fortunate") was common among slaves and freedmen in the Roman world. His role in the Corinthian delegation indicates he was a trusted member of the congregation, likely part of Stephanas's household or a close associate. The trio carried the Corinthians' letter of questions to Paul (1 Corinthians 7#7:1: "Now concerning the matters about which you wrote") and returned with 1 Corinthians.
Paul says they "refreshed my spirit" using the same language for Onesiphorus (2 Timothy 1#1:16) and Philemon (Philemon 1#1:7). Their visit bridged the distance between Paul and the troubled Corinthian church at a critical moment.
A Fortunatus appears in 1 Clement (c. 96 AD) as one of the letter carriers from the Roman church to Corinth. If this is the same man, he remained active in church service for four decades, an extended period of faithful ministry.