Apelles
A first-century Christian in Rome whom the Apostle Paul described as 'approved in Christ.'
Apelles was a member of the early Christian community in Rome during the mid-first century AD. He is known exclusively through a brief greeting sent by the Apostle Paul in the concluding chapter of the Epistle to the Romans. Though the biblical record regarding his life is extremely concise, the specific terminology Paul uses to describe him suggests he was a figure of proven character and resilience within the Roman church.
While many individuals mentioned in Romans 16 are grouped by family or household, Apelles is greeted individually before Paul moves on to greet the household of Aristobulus. This distinction highlights his personal standing. His name, of Greek origin, was common among both liberti (freedmen) and the Jewish community in Rome during the apostolic era.
Background and Family
The biblical record provide no specific details regarding the ancestry, tribe, or family of Apelles. His name, Apelles (G0559), is Greek in origin and was widely used across the Roman Empire. Historical records from the first century AD indicate that the name was particularly prevalent among the Jewish population in Rome; notably, the Roman poet Horace mentions a Jewish man named Apelles in his Satires. However, the New Testament does not explicitly state whether this Apelles was a Jewish convert or a Gentile believer.
Because Paul addresses him immediately before the "household of Aristobulus," some scholars suggest a social or physical proximity to that group, though no formal relationship is recorded in the text. As with many figures in the early Roman church, he was likely a resident of one of the city's many working-class districts where the gospel first took root.
Major Life Events
The only recorded event in the life of Apelles is his inclusion in the list of salutations in Paul’s letter to the Romans, written approximately AD 57. Paul writes: "Greet Apelles, who is approved in Christ" (Romans 16:10). The lack of further biographical data suggests that Apelles’ significance to the modern reader lies not in a series of narrated actions, but in the reputation he held at the time of the letter's composition.
Relationship to Other Biblical Figures
Apelles is linked to the Apostle Paul through their shared faith and Paul's personal recognition of his character. Although there is no record of them meeting or working together in the book of Acts, Paul’s specific commendation implies a level of acquaintance or a reliable report of Apelles' conduct. In the verse, Apelles is positioned between the greetings for Herodion and the members of Aristobulus’s household, placing him within the inner circle of the Roman Christian mission.
Spiritual Significance
The spiritual significance of Apelles centers on the Greek word dokimos, translated as "approved." In the biblical context, this term refers to something—often metal—that has been tested by fire and found to be genuine, pure, and of high quality. By calling Apelles "approved in Christ," Paul signifies that Apelles had undergone trials or testing regarding his faith and had emerged steadfast.
This designation distinguishes him from other believers who are simply called "beloved" or "fellow workers." For the early church, Apelles served as a model of the "tried and true" Christian. His life demonstrates that even those whose specific deeds go unrecorded by history can earn a legacy of integrity and recognized faithfulness in the eyes of the apostles and the early Christian community.
Spiritual Significance
Apelles is significant for the unique commendation he received from the Apostle Paul as being 'approved in Christ' (*dokimos en Christo*). This suggests he had remained faithful through specific trials or persecution, serving as a scriptural example of a believer who has been tested and found genuine.
His presence in Romans 16 also serves as evidence of the diverse and robust leadership structure within the Roman church before a formal visit from an apostle. Apelles represents the 'everyman' of the early church—a person whose specific biography is lost to time but whose character was validated by the highest authorities of the New Testament.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 'approved in Christ' mean in reference to Apelles?
The term 'approved' (Greek: dokimos) implies that Apelles had been tested, likely through suffering or temptation, and his faith was proven to be genuine and reliable.
Where lived Apelles?
He lived in Rome during the first century AD, as he was among the believers Paul greeted in his letter to the Roman church.
Was Apelles a leader in the church?
The Bible does not specify his office, but Paul's individual greeting and high praise suggest he was a respected and prominent figure among the Roman Christians.
Was Apelles Jewish or Gentile?
The Bible does not state his ethnicity. His name is Greek, which was common among both Gentiles and Roman Jews of that era.
Connected Figures
Paul the Apostle
Author of the letter greeting him
Aristobulus
Possible associate (mentioned in the following greeting)
Categories
Mentions by Book
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