Letters
Named in the epistles, from Romans to Jude
Who were the Letters?
People who first appear in the New Testament letters — coworkers greeted by name, hosts of house churches, opponents of the faith, and the ordinary believers whose names survive only because an apostle mentioned them in closing.
The group
Letters
Nero
Architect of the first imperial persecution of Christians and the figure associated with the number 666
Nero was the fifth Roman Emperor, whose reign is marked by the first state-sponsored persecution of Christians and the backdrop for the final ministries of Paul and Peter.
Achaicus
Member of the Corinthian delegation who visited Paul in Ephesus
A 1st-century Christian leader from Corinth who, along with Stephanas and Fortunatus, represented the Corinthian church to the Apostle Paul in Ephesus.
Alexander the Coppersmith
Apostate who caused the Apostle Paul great harm and opposed the gospel
A metalworker who apostatized from the Christian faith and became a prominent adversary of the Apostle Paul during his later ministry.
Alexander the Coppersmith
Antagonist of the Apostle Paul who strongly opposed the Gospel message
A metalworker in the first century AD who gained notoriety for his vigorous and harmful opposition to the Apostle Paul’s ministry.
Ampliatus
Roman Christian whom the Apostle Paul greeted as 'my beloved in the Lord'
A Roman Christian and associate of the Apostle Paul, described affectionately as Paul’s 'beloved in the Lord.'
Andronicus
Jewish Christian in Rome whom Paul calls a fellow prisoner and outstanding among the apostles
A prominent first-century Christian in Rome described by the Apostle Paul as a kinsman, fellow prisoner, and outstanding among the apostles.
Apelles
Christian in Rome described by Paul as 'approved in Christ'
A first-century Christian in Rome whom the Apostle Paul described as 'approved in Christ.'
Apphia
Christian woman at Colossae addressed by Paul as 'our sister' in the Letter to Philemon
A prominent female leader in the early Colossian church and a core recipient of Paul’s letter to Philemon, likely the wife of Philemon.
Archippus
Minister in the Colossian church who was exhorted by Paul to fulfill his service
Archippus was a first-century Christian leader in Colossae or Laodicea, addressed by the Apostle Paul as a 'fellow soldier' and exhorted to complete his divinely appointed ministry.
Aretas
King of the Nabataeans whose governor attempted to arrest Paul in Damascus
A King of the Nabataeans whose governor in Damascus attempted to arrest the Apostle Paul shortly after his conversion.
Aristobulus
Roman head of a household containing early Christian believers
A resident of Rome whose household received a specific apostolic greeting from the Apostle Paul in his letter to the Romans.
Artemas
Colleague of the Apostle Paul mentioned in the Epistle to Titus
A trusted companion of the Apostle Paul who was considered as a potential replacement for Titus on the island of Crete.
Asyncritus
Christian in Rome greeted by the Apostle Paul in his letter to the Romans
A 1st-century Christian in Rome mentioned by the Apostle Paul in the closing greetings of his epistle to the Romans.
Carpus
Believer in Troas who safeguarded the Apostle Paul's cloak and parchments
A believer residing in Troas who served as a trusted host and steward for the Apostle Paul during the mid-1st century AD.
Chloe
Christian woman whose household reported the divisions in the Corinthian church to the Apostle Paul
A prominent Christian woman in the 1st century AD whose household reported the internal divisions of the Corinthian church to the Apostle Paul.
Claudia
Christian woman in Rome who sent greetings to Timothy in Paul's final letter
A Roman Christian woman in Rome who sent greetings to Timothy through the apostle Paul during his final imprisonment.
Clement
Fellow worker of the Apostle Paul whose name is in the Book of Life
A 1st-century Christian in Philippi and a fellow laborer of the Apostle Paul, mentioned as one whose name is recorded in the Book of Life.
Crescens
Companion of Paul who traveled to Galatia during Paul's final imprisonment
A companion of the Apostle Paul who assisted his ministry before traveling to Galatia during Paul's final imprisonment.
Demas
Companion of Paul who abandoned him for love of the world
A companion and fellow-worker of the Apostle Paul who ultimately abandoned the Christian ministry because of his love for the present world.
Demetrius
Christian messenger praised by the Apostle John for his integrity and good report
A faithful Christian praised by the Apostle John as a man of integrity, likely serving as a traveling messenger for the early church missions.
Diotrephes
Local church leader who pridefully rejected the Apostle John's authority and excommunicated faithful believers
An early church official condemned by the Apostle John for his prideful self-exaltation and refusal to welcome traveling missionaries.
Epaenetus
First convert to Christ in the Roman province of Asia
A beloved early Christian in Rome and the first convert to Christianity in the province of Asia.
Epaphras
Minister who founded the church at Colossae and served as a fellow prisoner with Paul
A faithful minister and founder of the church at Colossae who served as a fellow prisoner with the Apostle Paul and a persistent intercessor for the Lycus Valley congregations.
Epaphroditus
Messenger of the Philippian church who nearly died serving the Apostle Paul
A dedicated messenger and fellow worker of the Apostle Paul who nearly died while delivering a gift from the church at Philippi.
Eubulus
Christian in Rome who sent greetings to Timothy in Paul's final letter
A Roman Christian and associate of the Apostle Paul who sent greetings to Timothy during Paul's final imprisonment.
Eunice
Mother of Timothy noted for her sincere faith
The mother of Timothy who was commended by the Apostle Paul for her sincere Christian faith and role in her son's spiritual upbringing.
Euodia
Christian woman in Philippi urged by Paul to reconcile with Syntyche
A prominent female member of the church at Philippi whom the Apostle Paul urged to reconcile with her fellow worker Syntyche.
Father of Barnabas
Levite patriarch who was the father of Barnabas and Mary
An unnamed member of the tribe of Levi and the patriarch of a prominent Christian family, identified through the kinship of his children Barnabas and Mary.
Father of Eunice
Greek husband of Lois and the father of Eunice
The unnamed husband of Lois and father of Eunice mentioned by the Apostle Paul in his second letter to Timothy.
Fortunatus
Member of the Corinthian delegation who visited Paul at Ephesus
A member of the church at Corinth who accompanied Stephanas and Achaicus to visit the Apostle Paul in Ephesus, carrying news and support.
Gaius of Corinth
Host of the Apostle Paul and the entire Corinthian church
A prominent Christian in Corinth known for his hospitality to the Apostle Paul and for being one of the few individuals personally baptized by him.
Gaius, Recipient of 3 John
Christian host commended by the Apostle John for his hospitality and faithfulness to the truth
A beloved early Christian leader and host to the church, recognized for his hospitality and faithfulness in the Third Epistle of John.
Hermas
Christian believer in Rome greeted by the Apostle Paul in the Epistle to the Romans
A 1st-century Christian in Rome mentioned by the Apostle Paul in his greetings to the Roman church.
Hermes
Christian believer in Rome greeted by Paul in his letter to the Romans
A 1st-century Christian in Rome to whom the Apostle Paul sent specific greetings in his epistle to the Romans.
Hermogenes
Professor of faith who deserted the Apostle Paul
A believer in Roman Asia who abandoned the Apostle Paul during his final imprisonment in Rome, becoming a symbol of apostasy and desertion.
Herodion
Jewish Christian in Rome greeted by the Apostle Paul in his letter to the Romans
A 1st-century Christian in Rome whom the Apostle Paul describes as a fellow countryman and greets in his epistle to the Romans.
Hymenaeus
False teacher who claimed the resurrection had already occurred
Hymenaeus was a prominent false teacher in the first-century Ephesian church who abandoned his faith and distorted the doctrine of the resurrection.
Jambres
Antagonist who opposed Moses during the Exodus period
Jambres is an antagonist mentioned by the Apostle Paul as one who opposed Moses through deception and a depraved mind.
Jannes
opponent of Moses mentioned by Paul in the New Testament
An individual cited by the Apostle Paul as a historical opponent of Moses who resisted the truth through deceptive means.
Jesus, also called Justus
Jewish Christian worker who assisted Paul during his Roman imprisonment
A Jewish Christian and fellow worker of the Apostle Paul who provided significant comfort to Paul during his Roman imprisonment.
Jude, the Brother of Jesus
Brother of Jesus and author of the New Testament Epistle of Jude
Jude was a brother of Jesus and James who identified himself as a servant of Christ and authored the General Epistle of Jude.
Julia
Christian woman in Rome greeted by the Apostle Paul
A Christian woman in Rome during the mid-1st century AD, greeted by the Apostle Paul in his letter to the Romans.
Junia
Jewish Christian woman described as outstanding among the apostles and a fellow prisoner of Paul
A Jewish Christian woman in Rome described by the Apostle Paul as a fellow prisoner and outstanding among the apostles.
Linus
Christian in Rome who sent greetings to Timothy in Paul's final letter
A Christian believer in Rome who sent greetings to Timothy through the Apostle Paul during the apostle's second imprisonment.
Lois
Grandmother of Timothy noted for her sincere faith
Lois was the grandmother of Timothy, recognized by the Apostle Paul for her sincere faith and her role in the spiritual heritage of her family.
Luke
Physician and loyal companion to the Apostle Paul during his imprisonments
A companion of the Apostle Paul, described as a beloved physician and a faithful fellow worker during Paul’s imprisonments and missionary travels.
The Man Who Had His Father's Wife
Man mentioned by Paul for an incestuous relationship with his stepmother
A member of the early Christian church in Corinth whose incestuous relationship with his stepmother prompted Paul's instruction on church discipline.
Mary, Hard Worker of Rome
Hard worker in the Roman church who earned a specific commendation from the Apostle Paul
A prominent woman in the first-century Roman church commended by the Apostle Paul for her exceptional labor and dedication to the Christian community.
Menander
Greek playwright whose maxim on 'bad company' is quoted in 1 Corinthians
A 4th-century BC Greek playwright whose maxim regarding corrupting influences was quoted by the Apostle Paul in his first letter to the Corinthians.
Narcissus
Head of a Roman household containing Christian believers
A person in Rome whose household received greetings from the Apostle Paul in his letter to the Romans.
Nereus
Christian in Rome greeted by the Apostle Paul in the Epistle to the Romans
A 1st-century Roman Christian who received personal greetings from the Apostle Paul in his Epistle to the Romans.
Nympha
Host of a house church in Laodicea mentioned by the Apostle Paul
A Christian woman in Laodicea or Colossae who hosted a house church during the apostolic era.
Olympas
Christian believer in Rome greeted by the Apostle Paul
A 1st-century Christian believer in Rome who was among those greeted by the Apostle Paul in his letter to the Romans.
Onesimus
Runaway slave whose reconciliation with his master Philemon is the subject of a New Testament epistle
An enslaved man who fled from his master Philemon and was later converted to Christianity by the Apostle Paul, becoming a beloved brother and ministry assistant.
Onesiphorus
Ephesian believer who diligently searched for and refreshed the Apostle Paul during his final Roman imprisonment
A devoted Christian from Ephesus known for his courageous hospitality and unwavering support of the Apostle Paul during his final Roman imprisonment.
Patrobas
Christian in Rome greeted by Paul in the Epistle to the Romans
A 1st-century Christian in Rome mentioned by the Apostle Paul in his greetings to the Roman church.
Persis
Christian woman in Rome commended by Paul for her intense labor for the Gospel
A Christian woman in the Roman church whom the Apostle Paul commends for her exceptional diligence and labor in the service of the Lord.
Philemon
Host of the Colossian house church and recipient of Paul’s letter regarding Onesimus
A wealthy Christian resident of Colossae and slave owner whose gracious response to a runaway slave became a centerpiece of New Testament ethics.
Philetus
False teacher who claimed the resurrection had already occurred
Philetus was an early Christian heretic in Ephesus who, along with Hymenaeus, taught that the resurrection had already occurred, thereby subverting the faith of some believers.
Philologus
Christian in Rome greeted by Paul in the Epistle to the Romans
A 1st-century Christian in Rome mentioned by the Apostle Paul in his greetings to the Roman church.
Phlegon
Christian believer in Rome greeted by the Apostle Paul
A 1st-century Christian believer in Rome who was personally greeted by the Apostle Paul in the Epistle to the Romans.
Phoebe
Servant of the church in Cenchrea and patron of the apostle Paul who delivered the Epistle to the Romans
A respected deacon of the church in Cenchrea and a patron of the apostle Paul, likely the bearer of his Epistle to the Romans.
Phygelus
associate of Paul who deserted him during his final Roman imprisonment
A believer in Asia Minor who deserted the Apostle Paul during his final imprisonment in Rome, becoming a symbol of apostasy and the fear of persecution.
The Preachers of Envy and Rivalry
Preachers in Rome who sought to harm Paul’s reputation through competitive ministry
An anonymous group of first-century Christian teachers in Rome who preached the Gospel from motives of jealousy and partisan strife rather than sincerity.
Pudens
Christian in Rome who sent greetings to Timothy in Paul's final letter
A Roman Christian who sent personal greetings to Timothy while the Apostle Paul was imprisoned in Rome during the first century AD.
Quartus
Christian brother in Corinth who sent greetings to the Roman church in Paul's epistle
A Christian brother in the first-century Corinthian church who joined the Apostle Paul in sending greetings to the believers in Rome.
Rufus, Member of the Roman Church
Christian in Rome described by Paul as chosen in the Lord
A prominent Christian in the early Roman church whom the Apostle Paul described as 'chosen in the Lord.'
Stachys
Christian in Rome addressed as 'beloved' by the Apostle Paul
A 1st-century Christian in Rome whom the Apostle Paul addressed as his 'beloved' in the closing greetings of his epistle to the Romans.
Stephanas
First convert in Achaia who ministered to the Apostle Paul and led the Corinthian church
A prominent Greek convert and the first believer in the province of Achaia who served as an ambassador for the Corinthian church to the Apostle Paul.
Syntyche
Christian woman in Philippi exhorted by Paul to reconcile with Euodia
A prominent female member of the first-century church in Philippi whom the Apostle Paul urged to reconcile with a fellow believer.
Tertius
Scribe who physically wrote the Epistle to the Romans for Paul
Tertius was a first-century Christian who served as the scribe or amanuensis for the Apostle Paul during the dictation of the Epistle to the Romans.
Those Who Hold the Teaching of Balaam
Sect in the church of Pergamum who promoted compromise with pagan idolatry and sexual immorality
A faction within the early Christian church at Pergamum who promoted syncretism, idolatry, and sexual immorality by following the destructive precedents of the Old Testament figure Balaam.
Titus
Greek companion of Paul who organized the church in Crete and mediated the Corinthian crisis
Titus was a Greek convert, a trusted companion of the Apostle Paul, and a leader tasked with organizing the church on the island of Crete.
Tryphaena
Christian woman in Rome commended by Paul for her hard work
A Christian woman in the first-century Roman church commended by the Apostle Paul for her diligent labor in the service of the Lord.
Tryphosa
Christian woman in Rome commended by Paul for her hard work
A Christian woman in the 1st-century Roman church commended by the Apostle Paul for her dedicated labor in the service of the Lord.
Urbanus
Christian worker in Rome whom Paul calls a 'fellow worker in Christ'
A 1st-century Christian in Rome whom the Apostle Paul describes as a 'fellow worker in Christ.'
Zenas
Lawyer and companion of Apollos mentioned in the Epistle to Titus
A Christian believer and professional jurist identified in the Epistle to Titus as a traveling companion of Apollos.