Topical Encyclopedia
Sosipater is a lesser-known figure in the New Testament, mentioned specifically in the Apostle Paul's epistle to the Romans. His name, of Greek origin, means "savior of his father," which may suggest a background of noble or virtuous character. Sosipater is identified as a fellow believer and companion of Paul, contributing to the early Christian mission and the spread of the Gospel.
Biblical References:1.
Romans 16:21 : "Timothy, my fellow worker, sends you greetings, as do Lucius, Jason, and Sosipater, my kinsmen." In this passage, Sosipater is mentioned alongside Timothy, Lucius, and Jason, indicating his close association with Paul and his missionary team. The term "kinsmen" suggests that Sosipater, like Paul, was of Jewish heritage, possibly from the tribe of Benjamin or another Jewish lineage. This connection highlights the unity and diversity within the early Christian community, where Jewish and Gentile believers worked together for the cause of Christ.
2.
Acts 20:4 : While Sosipater is not directly named in this verse, some scholars suggest that he may be the same person as Sopater of Berea, who is mentioned as accompanying Paul on his journey through Macedonia. "He was accompanied by Sopater son of Pyrrhus from Berea, Aristarchus and Secundus from Thessalonica, Gaius from Derbe, Timothy, and Tychicus and Trophimus from the province of Asia." If Sosipater and Sopater are indeed the same individual, this would further emphasize his role as a dedicated supporter of Paul's ministry, willing to travel and face the challenges of missionary work.
Role in Early Christianity:Sosipater's inclusion in Paul's letter to the Romans signifies his importance in the early church, even if his specific contributions are not detailed in the biblical text. As a "kinsman," he likely played a role in bridging cultural and religious divides, helping to foster unity among Jewish and Gentile believers. His presence alongside other notable figures like Timothy and Lucius suggests that he was a trusted and respected member of the early Christian community.
Tradition and Legacy:While the Bible provides limited information about Sosipater, church tradition holds that he continued to serve the church after the events recorded in the New Testament. Some traditions claim that he became a bishop in various regions, including Iconium or Tarsus, and that he was martyred for his faith. These accounts, though not verifiable, reflect the esteem in which Sosipater was held by early Christians.
Sosipater's mention in the New Testament, though brief, underscores the collaborative nature of the early church's mission. His partnership with Paul and others exemplifies the spirit of cooperation and dedication that characterized the spread of Christianity in the first century.
Smith's Bible Dictionary
Sosipater(saviour of his father), kinsman or fellow tribesman of St. Paul, (Romans 16:21) is probably the same person as Sopater of Berea. (A.D. 54.)
ATS Bible Dictionary
SosipaterSeeSOPATER.
Easton's Bible Dictionary
(see
SOPATER.)
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
SOSIPATERso-sip'-a-ter (Sosipatros): Sosipater unites with Lucius and Jason in sending greetings to the Roman Christians (Romans 16:21). He is a "kinsman" of Paul, by which Paul means a Jew (Romans 9:3;Romans 16:11, 21). It is the same name as SOPATER (which see). "Sopater of Berea" was one of the companions of Paul on his journey from Philippi after his 3rd missionary journey (Acts 20:4). These two are probably the same person, Paul having with him in Corinth, at the time of writing to the Roman Christians, the two Macedonians, Sopater of Berea and Jason of Thessalonica. The name Sosipater is found on a list of politarchs of Thessalonica.
S. F. Hunter
Greek
4989. Sosipatros -- "of a safe father,"Sosipater, a Christian... 4988, 4989. Sosipatros. 4990 . "of a safe father,"
Sosipater, a Christian.
Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: Sosipatros Phonetic Spelling: (
...Library
Preface to the Letters of Dionysius the Areopagite.
... and valued teaching on the Personality of our Lord; to Dorotheus we are indebted
for a fuller explanation of the Divine Gloom; toSosipater, twice mentioned in...
The Same Hippolytus on the Seventy Apostles.
... 44. Lucius, bishop of Laodicea in Syria. 45. Jason, bishop of Tarsus. 46.Sosipater,
bishop of Iconium. 47. Tertius, bishop of Iconium. 48....
Refutation of the Assertion that Constantine Became a Christian in...
... Footnotes: [1077] OrSosipater of Apamea. Cf. Eunap. VS (??desius). [1078]
The earlier church historians, except Philost. HE ii....
Rom. xvi. 17, 18
... Ver.21. "Timotheus my work-fellow saluteth you.". Observe the customary encomiums
again. "And Lucius, and Jason, andSosipater my kinsmen."....
The Epistle to the Romans
... Moreover the salutations of Timothy and Sopater orSosipater in 16: 21 is in perfect
agreement with what is said in Acts 20:4 regarding the presence of these...
The Honors that were Paid the Jews; and the Leagues that were Made...
... the son of Theodatus, and Apollonius, the son of Alexander, and Eneas, the son of
Antipater, and Aristobulus, the son of Amyntas, andSosipater, the son of...
The Heresies Attacked by the Apostles.
... and Timothy our most dearly beloved son, and the genuine Mark, together with whom
we recommend to you also Titus and Luke, and Jason and Lucius, andSosipater....
Thesaurus
Sosipater (1 Occurrence)...SOSIPATER. so-sip'-a-ter (Sosipatros):
Sosipater unites with Lucius and Jason
in sending greetings to the Roman Christians (Romans 16:21).
...Lucius (2 Occurrences)
... (2) "Lucius and Jason andSosipater, my kinsmen" were among those who joined
Paul in saluting the Christians in Rome (Romans 16:21)....
Timotheus (24 Occurrences)
... But in 2 Maccabees 12:2 he is again at liberty as an opponent of the Jews, and in
12:24 he falls into the hands of Dositheus andSosipater, but by representing...
Sopater (1 Occurrence)
... The father who saves, probably the same asSosipater, a kinsman of Paul (Romans
16:21), a Christian of the city of Berea who accompanied Paul into Asia (Acts 20...
Sosip'ater (1 Occurrence)
...Sosipater, Sosip'ater. Sosthenes .... Romans 16:21 Salute you do Timotheus, my
fellow-workman, and Lucius, and Jason, andSosipater, my kindred; (See RSV)....
Kinsmen (74 Occurrences)
... (KJV ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV). Romans 16:21 Timotheus my workfellow, and Lucius, and
Jason, andSosipater, my kinsmen, salute you. (KJV ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV)....
Greetings (48 Occurrences)
... (WEY NIV). Romans 16:21 Timothy, my fellow worker, sends you greetings, and
so do my countrymen Lucius, Jason andSosipater. (WEY NIV)....
Greets (9 Occurrences)
... Greets (9 Occurrences). Romans 16:21 Timothy, my fellow worker, greets you, as
do Lucius, Jason, andSosipater, my relatives. (WEB NAS RSV)....
Work-fellow (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Work-fellow (1 Occurrence). Romans 16:21 Timothy my
work-fellow, and Lucius, and Jason, andSosipater my kinsmen, salute you. (WBS)....
Workfellow (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Workfellow (1 Occurrence). Romans 16:21 Timotheus my
workfellow, and Lucius, and Jason, andSosipater, my kinsmen, salute you. (KJV)....
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