Linus
Linus
Info
- #coworker
- Home:: Roman Church
- Other Locales:: None recorded
- References:: 2 Timothy 4#4:21
Notes
- Sends greetings to Timothy via Paul's final letter
- Early church tradition identifies him as the first (or second) bishop of Rome after Peter
Summary
Linus appears once in 2 Timothy 4#4:21, where Paul writes: "Eubulus greets you, as do Pudens and Linus and Claudia and all the brothers." He was part of the small circle of Roman believers who remained connected to Paul during his final imprisonment and sent greetings to Timothy.
The significance of Linus lies in early church tradition. Irenaeus (c. 180 AD, Against Heresies 3.3.3) names Linus as the first bishop of Rome appointed by Peter and Paul: "The blessed apostles, then, having founded and built up the church, committed the ministry of the episcopate to Linus." Eusebius confirms this tradition in his Church History, listing Linus as bishop of Rome after the martyrdom of Peter and Paul.
If this tradition is reliable, the Linus who sends a greeting in 2 Timothy went on to lead the most important church in the Western world, the congregation that would eventually become the center of the Roman papacy. His casual mention in 2 Timothy without special title or distinction is consistent with a man who had not assumed that role but was already a known and trusted member of the Roman Christian community.