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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width; initial-scale=1.0;"/><title>Topical Bible: Theophilus</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/topical/t/theophilus.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/newtopical.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/print.css" type="text/css" media="Print" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/topical/vmenus/luke/1-3.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="//biblehu.com/bmcde/t/theophilus.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/topical/">Topical</a> > Theophilus</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/topical/t/theophany--god's_majestic_appearance.htm" title="Theophany: God's Majestic Appearance">◄</a> Theophilus <a href="/topical/t/the-oph'ilus.htm" title="The-oph'ilus">►</a></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse">Jump to: <a href="#hit" title="Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary">Hitchcock's</a> • <a href="#smi" title="Smith's Bible Dictionary">Smith's</a> • <a href="#amt" title="American Tract Society Bible Dictionary">ATS</a> • <a href="#isb" title="International Standard Bible Encyclopedia">ISBE</a> • <a href="#eas" title="Easton's Bible Dictionary">Easton's</a> • <a href="#cnc" title="Multiversion Concordance">Concordance</a> • <a href="#thes" title="Bible Thesaurus">Thesaurus</a> • <a href="#grk" title="Strong's Greek Concordance">Greek</a> • <a href="#lib" title="Library">Library</a> • <a href="#sub" title="Subtopics">Subtopics</a> • <a href="#rel" title="Related Terms">Terms</a></div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><a name="te" id="te"></a><div class="vheading2">Topical Encyclopedia</div>Theophilus is a figure mentioned in the New Testament, specifically in the prologues of the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles. His name, meaning "friend of God" or "loved by God" in Greek, has led to various interpretations regarding his identity and role in early Christianity.<br><br><b>Biblical References:</b><br><br>1. <b><a href="/luke/1-3.htm">Luke 1:3</a> :</b> "Therefore, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus."<br><br>2. <b><a href="/acts/1.htm">Acts 1:1</a> :</b> "In my first book, O Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach."<br><br><b>Identity and Role:</b><br><br>Theophilus is addressed as "most excellent," a title often used for individuals of high social standing or official rank, suggesting that he may have been a person of influence or authority. Some scholars propose that he could have been a Roman official or a wealthy patron who supported Luke's work. Others suggest that Theophilus might have been a symbolic or honorary title representing a broader audience of God-fearing individuals.<br><br><b>Purpose of Address:</b><br><br>Theophilus is the recipient of both the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles, indicating that these works were intended to provide him with a comprehensive and orderly account of the life, ministry, and teachings of Jesus Christ, as well as the early church's history. Luke's intention was to affirm the certainty of the teachings Theophilus had received, as stated in <a href="/luke/1-4.htm">Luke 1:4</a> : "so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught."<br><br><b>Theological Significance:</b><br><br>Theophilus's mention underscores the importance of accurate and reliable transmission of the Christian faith. Luke's dedication to Theophilus highlights the early church's commitment to documenting the life and works of Jesus and the apostles, ensuring that the message of the Gospel was preserved and communicated effectively to both contemporary and future audiences.<br><br><b>Historical Context:</b><br><br>Theophilus's potential role as a patron or supporter of Luke's writings reflects the broader practice in the ancient world where authors often relied on the support of wealthy individuals to fund their literary endeavors. This relationship would have facilitated the dissemination of Luke's writings within the early Christian communities and beyond.<br><br><b>Interpretations and Speculations:</b><br><br>While some have speculated that Theophilus might have been a catechumen or a new convert to Christianity, others view him as a representative figure for all believers who seek to deepen their understanding of the faith. The ambiguity surrounding his identity allows for a wide range of interpretations, each contributing to the richness of the biblical narrative and its application to diverse audiences.<br><br>In summary, Theophilus serves as a key figure in the introduction to Luke's writings, representing both a specific individual and a broader audience of believers. His mention emphasizes the importance of faith, knowledge, and the careful preservation of the Gospel message.<a name="hit" id="hit"></a><div class="vheading2">Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary</div><span class="encheading">Theophilus</span><p>friend of God<a name="smi" id="smi"></a><div class="vheading2">Smith's Bible Dictionary</div><span class="encheading">Theophilus</span><p>(<i>friend of God</i>) the person to whom St. Luke inscribes his Gospel and the Acts of the Apostles. (<a href="/luke/1-3.htm">Luke 1:3</a>; <a href="/acts/1-1.htm">Acts 1:1</a>) From the honorable epithet applied to him in (<a href="/luke/1-3.htm">Luke 1:3</a>) it has been argued with much probability that he was a person in high official position. All that can be conjectured with any degree of safety concerning him comes to this, that he was a Gentile of rank and consideration who came under the influence of St. Luke or under that of St. Paul at Rome, and was converted to the Christian faith.<a name="amt" id="amt"></a><div class="vheading2">ATS Bible Dictionary</div><span class="encheading">Theophilus</span><p>Friend of God, an honorable person to whom the evangelist Luke addressed his gospel, and the Acts of the Apostles, <a href="/luke/1-3.htm">Luke 1:3</a>; <a href="/acts/1-1.htm">Acts 1:1</a>. We can only say of him, in general, that most probably he was a man of some note, who lived out of Palestine, and had abjured paganism in order to embrace Christianity. </p><a name="eas" id="eas"></a><div class="vheading2">Easton's Bible Dictionary</div>Lover of God, a Christian, probably a Roman, to whom Luke dedicated both his Gospel (<a href="/luke/1-3.htm">Luke 1:3</a>) and the Acts of the Apostles (<a href="/luke/1-1.htm">1:1</a>). Nothing beyond this is known of him. From the fact that Luke applies to him the title "most excellent", the same title Paul uses in addressing Felix (<a href="/acts/23-26.htm">Acts 23:26</a>; <a href="/acts/24-3.htm">24:3</a>) and Festus (<a href="/acts/26-25.htm">26:25</a>), it has been concluded that Theophilus was a person of rank, perhaps a Roman officer. <a name="isb" id="isb"></a><div class="vheading2">International Standard Bible Encyclopedia</div><span class="encheading">THEOPHILUS</span><p>the-of'-i-lus (Theophilos, "loved of God"): The one to whom Luke addressed his Gospel and the Acts of the Apostles (compare <a href="/luke/1-3.htm">Luke 1:3</a> <a href="/acts/1-1.htm">Acts 1:1</a>). It has been suggested that Theophilus is merely a generic term for all Christians, but the epithet "most excellent" implies it was applied by Luke to a definite person, probably a Roman official, whom he held in high respect. Theophilus may have been the presbyter who took part in sending the letter from the Corinthians to Paul, given in the "Acta Pauli" (compare Hennecke, Neutestamentliche Apokryphen, 378). There is also a magistrate Theophilus mentioned in the "Acts of James" as being converted by James on his way to India (compare Budge, The Contendings of the Apostles, II, 299), but these and other identifications, together with other attempts to trace out the further history of the original Theophilus, are without sufficient evidence for their establishment (compare also Knowling in The Expositor Greek Testament, II, 49-51).<br><br>C. M. Kerr<p><a name="grk" id="grk"></a><div class="vheading2">Greek</div><a href="/greek/2321.htm"><span class="l">2321. Theophilos -- "friend of God," <b>Theophilus</b>, the addressee of <b>...</b></span></a> <br><b>...</b> 2320, 2321. Theophilos. 2322 . "friend of God," <b>Theophilus</b>, the addressee of<br> Luke and Acts. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: Theophilos <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2321.htm</font><font color="#ff6600" size="-1"> - 6k</font><a name="lib" id="lib"></a><div class="vheading2">Library</div><p><a href="/library/theophilus/theophilus_to_autolycus/"><span class="l"><b>Theophilus</b> to Autolycus</span></a> <br><b>Theophilus</b> to Autolycus. <. <b>Theophilus</b> to Autolycus <b>Theophilus</b> of<br> Antioch. Table of Contents. Title Page. Introductory Note. <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">//christianbookshelf.org/theophilus/theophilus to autolycus/</font><p><a href="/library/law/the_way_to_divine_knowledge/way-1-4_theophilus_.htm"><span class="l"><b>Theophilus</b>. ...</span></a> <br><b>...</b> [Way-1-4] <b>Theophilus</b>.? <b>Theophilus</b>. Dear Humanus, my heart embraces you with great<br> joy, and I am much pleased with what you say of yourself. <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/...//christianbookshelf.org/law/the way to divine knowledge/way-1-4 theophilus .htm</font><p><a href="/library/law/the_way_to_divine_knowledge/way-3-2_theophilus_.htm"><span class="l"><b>Theophilus</b>. ...</span></a> <br><b>...</b> [Way-3-2] <b>Theophilus</b>.? <b>Theophilus</b>. You have seen, that all nature begins<br> and stands in a magic birth; and is only a large display <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/...//christianbookshelf.org/law/the way to divine knowledge/way-3-2 theophilus .htm</font><p><a href="/library/law/the_way_to_divine_knowledge/way-3-4_theophilus_.htm"><span class="l"><b>Theophilus</b>. ...</span></a> <br><b>...</b> [Way-3-4] <b>Theophilus</b>.? <b>Theophilus</b>. All this is right, and very well; provided you<br> do but know who, and what, are the great and powerful enemies of religion. <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/...//christianbookshelf.org/law/the way to divine knowledge/way-3-4 theophilus .htm</font><p><a href="/library/law/the_way_to_divine_knowledge/way-2-134_theophilus_.htm"><span class="l"><b>Theophilus</b>. ...</span></a> <br><b>...</b> [Way-2-134] <b>Theophilus</b>.? <b>Theophilus</b>. <b>...</b> Footnotes: [Way-3-1]. Academicus. If you please,<br> <b>Theophilus</b>, pray go on, just where you left off at our last meeting. <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../law/the way to divine knowledge/way-2-134 theophilus .htm</font><p><a href="/library/various/jerome_and_gennadius_lives_of_illustrious_men_/chapter_xliii_theophilus.htm"><span class="l"><b>Theophilus</b></span></a> <br><b>...</b> Chapter XLIII. <b>Theophilus</b>. <b>Theophilus</b>, [2452] bishop of C??sarea in Palestine,<br> the city formerly called Turris Stratonis, in the <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../jerome and gennadius lives of illustrious men /chapter xliii theophilus.htm</font><p><a href="/library/various/jerome_and_gennadius_lives_of_illustrious_men_/chapter_xxv_theophilus.htm"><span class="l"><b>Theophilus</b></span></a> <br><b>...</b> Chapter XXV. <b>Theophilus</b>. <b>Theophilus</b>, [2425] sixth bishop of the church of<br> Antioch, in the reign of the emperor Marcus Antoninus Verus <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../jerome and gennadius lives of illustrious men /chapter xxv theophilus.htm</font><p><a href="/library/various/jerome_and_gennadius_lives_of_illustrious_men_/chapter_xxxiv_theophilus.htm"><span class="l"><b>Theophilus</b></span></a> <br><b>...</b> Chapter XXXIV. <b>Theophilus</b>. <b>Theophilus</b>, [2628] bishop of the church [2629]<br> of Alexandria, wrote one great volume Against Origen in <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../jerome and gennadius lives of illustrious men /chapter xxxiv theophilus.htm</font><p><a href="/library/law/the_way_to_divine_knowledge/way-2-49_theophilus_.htm"><span class="l"><b>Theophilus</b>. ...</span></a> <br><b>...</b> [Way-2-49] <b>Theophilus</b>.? <b>Theophilus</b>. The conclusion, my friend, that you<br> here think to be so just and strong, as not possible to <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../christianbookshelf.org/law/the way to divine knowledge/way-2-49 theophilus .htm</font><p><a href="/library/law/the_way_to_divine_knowledge/way-2-65_theophilus_.htm"><span class="l"><b>Theophilus</b>. ...</span></a> <br><b>...</b> [Way-2-65] <b>Theophilus</b>.? <b>Theophilus</b>. Everything, Academicus, is, and must<br> be, its own proof; and can only be known from and by itself. <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../christianbookshelf.org/law/the way to divine knowledge/way-2-65 theophilus .htm</font><a name="thes" id="thes"></a><div class="vheading2">Thesaurus</div><a href="/topical/t/theophilus.htm"><span class="l"><b>Theophilus</b> (2 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> him the title "most excellent", the same title Paul uses in addressing Felix (Acts<br> 23:26; 24:3) and Festus (26:25), it has been concluded that <b>Theophilus</b> was a <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/t/theophilus.htm - 8k</font><p><a href="/topical/t/the-oph'ilus.htm"><span class="l">The-oph'ilus (2 Occurrences)</span></a><br>The-oph'ilus. <b>Theophilus</b>, The-oph'ilus. Theories . Multi-Version Concordance <b>...</b> <br><b>Theophilus</b>, The-oph'ilus. Theories . Reference Bible. <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/t/the-oph'ilus.htm - 6k</font><p><a href="/topical/b/beginning.htm"><span class="l">Beginning (187 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> 1:3 it seemed good to me also, having traced the course of all things accurately<br> from the first, to write to you in order, most excellent <b>Theophilus</b>; (See NAS <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/b/beginning.htm - 38k</font><p><a href="/topical/a/account.htm"><span class="l">Account (460 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> Luke 1:3 it has seemed right to me also, after careful investigation of the facts<br> from their commencement, to write for you, most noble <b>Theophilus</b>, a connected <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/a/account.htm - 35k</font><p><a href="/topical/n/narrative.htm"><span class="l">Narrative (2 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> Acts 1:1 My former narrative, <b>Theophilus</b>, dealt with all that Jesus did<br> and taught as a beginning, down to the day on which, (WEY). <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/n/narrative.htm - 7k</font><p><a href="/topical/n/noble.htm"><span class="l">Noble (61 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> Luke 1:3 it has seemed right to me also, after careful investigation of the facts<br> from their commencement, to write for you, most noble <b>Theophilus</b>, a connected <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/n/noble.htm - 27k</font><p><a href="/topical/u/understanding.htm"><span class="l">Understanding (248 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the<br> very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent <b>Theophilus</b>, (KJV WBS <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/u/understanding.htm - 38k</font><p><a href="/topical/o/observation.htm"><span class="l">Observation (4 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> to me, having made observation, with great care, of the direction of events in their<br> order, to put the facts in writing for you, most noble <b>Theophilus</b>; (BBE). <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/o/observation.htm - 8k</font><p><a href="/topical/o/orderly.htm"><span class="l">Orderly (8 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> Luke 1:3 it seemed good also to me, having followed from the first after all things<br> exactly, to write to thee in order, most noble <b>Theophilus</b>, (See RSV NIV). <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/o/orderly.htm - 9k</font><p><a href="/topical/o/origin.htm"><span class="l">Origin (25 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> Luke 1:3 it has seemed good to me also, accurately acquainted from the origin with<br> all things, to write to thee with method, most excellent <b>Theophilus</b>, (DBY). <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/o/origin.htm - 13k</font><p><a name="res" id="res"></a><div class="vheading2">Resources</div><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/Theophilus-Luke-Acts.html">Who was Theophilus at the beginning of Luke and Acts? | GotQuestions.org</a><br /><br /><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/Luke-in-the-Bible.html">Who was Luke in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org</a><br /><br /><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/questions-about-Luke.html">Questions about Luke | GotQuestions.org</a><br /><br /><a href="/concordance/">Bible Concordance</a> • <a href="/dictionary/">Bible Dictionary</a> • <a href="/encyclopedia/">Bible Encyclopedia</a> • <a href="/topical/">Topical Bible</a> • <a href="/thesaurus/">Bible Thesuarus</a></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="cnc" id="cnc"></a><div class="vheading2">Concordance</div><span class="encheading">Theophilus (2 Occurrences)</span><p><span class="rtext"><a href="/luke/1-3.htm">Luke 1:3</a></span><br />it seemed good to me also, having traced the course of all things accurately from the first, to write to you in order, most excellent <span class="boldtext">Theophilus</span>;<br /><span class="source">(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV)</span><p><span class="rtext"><a href="/acts/1-1.htm">Acts 1:1</a></span><br />The first book I wrote, <span class="boldtext">Theophilus</span>, concerned all that Jesus began both to do and to teach,<br /><span class="source">(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV)</span><a name="sub" id="sub"></a><div class="vheading2">Subtopics</div><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/t/theophilus.htm">Theophilus</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/t/theophilus--a_christian_to_whom_luke_addressed_the_books_of_luke_and_acts.htm">Theophilus: A Christian to Whom Luke Addressed the Books of Luke and Acts</a></p><a name="rel" id="rel"></a><div class="vheading2">Related Terms</div><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/t/theophilus.htm">Theophilus (2 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/t/theories.htm">Theories (1 Occurrence)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/topical/t/theophany--god's_majestic_appearance.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Theophany: God's Majestic Appearance"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Theophany: God's Majestic Appearance" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/topical/t/the-oph'ilus.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="The-oph'ilus"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="The-oph'ilus" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div> <div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"><script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script></div></td></tr></table></div></div></div> <br /><br /> <div align="center"> <div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>