Phygelus
Phygelus
Info
- #opponent
- Home:: Province of Asia (likely Ephesian Church)
- Other Locales:: None recorded
- References:: 2 Timothy 1#1:15
Notes
- Named alongside Hermogenes as one who "turned away" from Paul
Summary
Phygelus is mentioned once in 2 Timothy 1#1:15, where Paul writes: "You are aware that all who are in Asia turned away from me, among whom are Phygelus and Hermogenes."
The context is Paul's final imprisonment. The "turning away" (apestraphēsan) likely refers to abandoning Paul when he most needed support, refusing to stand with him during trial or distancing themselves from association with a condemned prisoner. Paul names Phygelus and Hermogenes as representative examples of desertion among Asian Christians.
This abandonment forms the dark backdrop for Onesiphorus's loyalty. Immediately after naming Phygelus and Hermogenes, Paul commends Onesiphorus for "not being ashamed of my chains" and for searching out Paul in Rome (2 Timothy 1#1:16-17). Phygelus chose self-preservation; Onesiphorus chose costly faithfulness.
His name, Phygelus (Phygelos), may derive from the Greek root phygē ("flight"), which some ancient commentators noted as apt for a man who fled from Paul. Whether this reflects etymological coincidence or intentional irony remains unclear.