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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: Erastus: A Friend of Paul</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/topical/naves/e/erastus--a_friend_of_paul.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> <script async src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=G-LR4HSKRP2H"></script> <script> window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);} gtag('js', new Date()); gtag('config', 'G-LR4HSKRP2H'); </script><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/acts/19-22.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/e/erastus.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> > Erastus</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/e/eras'tus.htm" title="Eras'tus">◄</a> Erastus: A Friend of Paul <a href="/topical/naves/e/erastus--convert_of_paul's,_probably_same_as_preceding.htm" title="Erastus: Convert of Paul's, Probably Same As Preceding">►</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="#nav" title="Nave's Topical Index">Nave's</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>Erastus is a notable figure in the New Testament, recognized for his association with the Apostle Paul and his role within the early Christian community. His name appears in several passages, highlighting his significance in the spread of the Gospel and the establishment of the early Church.<br><br><b>Biblical References</b><br><br>1. <b><a href="/acts/19-22.htm">Acts 19:22</a></b> · Erastus is first mentioned in the context of Paul's third missionary journey. The passage states, "He sent two of his helpers, Timothy and Erastus, to Macedonia, while he stayed in the province of Asia a little longer." This reference indicates that Erastus was a trusted companion and co-laborer with Paul, entrusted with important missions.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/romans/16-23.htm">Romans 16:23</a></b> · In Paul's letter to the Romans, Erastus is identified as the city treasurer of Corinth: "Gaius, who is host to me and the whole church, greets you. Erastus, the city treasurer, and our brother Quartus greet you." This title suggests that Erastus held a significant and influential position within the civic administration of Corinth, which would have been a strategic advantage for the early Christian movement.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/2_timothy/4-20.htm">2 Timothy 4:20</a></b> · In one of Paul's final epistles, he notes, "Erastus has remained at Corinth, and I left Trophimus sick in Miletus." This brief mention reaffirms Erastus's continued presence and likely leadership role in the Corinthian church, even as Paul faced the end of his ministry.<br><br><b>Historical and Archaeological Context</b><br><br>The identification of Erastus as the city treasurer is supported by archaeological evidence. A pavement inscription discovered in Corinth reads, "Erastus, in return for his aedileship, laid the pavement at his own expense." This inscription is believed by many scholars to refer to the same Erastus mentioned in the New Testament, providing a tangible link between the biblical text and historical records.<br><br><b>Role and Influence</b><br><br>Erastus's role as a city treasurer would have placed him in a position of considerable influence, both politically and economically. His conversion and active participation in the early Church exemplify the reach of the Gospel across different social strata. As a public official, Erastus's faith and support of Paul's mission would have been a powerful testimony to both believers and non-believers alike.<br><br><b>Theological Significance</b><br><br>Erastus's life and work underscore the theme of God's sovereignty in placing individuals in strategic positions for the advancement of His kingdom. His involvement in the early Church highlights the diversity of backgrounds among early Christians and the unity they found in Christ. Erastus's account serves as an encouragement for believers to use their God-given positions and resources for the furtherance of the Gospel.<br><br>In summary, Erastus stands as a testament to the transformative power of the Gospel and the vital role of lay leaders in the early Church. His contributions to Paul's ministry and the Christian community in Corinth reflect the broader narrative of God's work through His people in diverse and influential ways.<a name="nav" id="nav"></a><div class="vheading2">Nave's Topical Index</div><span class="rtext"><a href="/acts/19-22.htm">Acts 19:22</a></span><br>So he sent into Macedonia two of them that ministered to him, Timotheus and Erastus; but he himself stayed in Asia for a season.<br><span class="source">Nave's Topical Index</span><p><span class="rtext"><a href="/2_timothy/4-20.htm">2 Timothy 4:20</a></span><br>Erastus stayed at Corinth: but Trophimus have I left at Miletum sick.<br><span class="source">Nave's Topical Index</span><p><a name="lib" id="lib"></a><div class="vheading2">Library</div><p><a href="/library/chrysostom/homilies_on_gal_eph_phi_col_thess_tim_titus_and_philemon/homily_iii_philemon_i_17-19.htm"><span class="l">Philemon i. 17-19</span></a> <br><b>...</b> but of a <b>friend</b> against a <b>friend</b>, making use <b>...</b> his countryman is a fellow-prisoner<br> with <b>Paul</b> and suffers <b>...</b> For "<b>Erastus</b>," he says, "abode at Corinth." (2 Timothy 4 <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../homily iii philemon i 17-19.htm</font><p><a href="/library/maclaren/romans_corinthians_to_ii_corinthians_chap_v/quartus_a_brother.htm"><span class="l">Quartus a Brother</span></a> <br><b>...</b> wealth like Gaius, nor civic position like <b>Erastus</b>, nor wide <b>...</b> One said, 'I am of <b>Paul</b>,<br> and another, I of <b>...</b> I of Christ.' I wonder if our <b>friend</b> Quartus belonged <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../maclaren/romans corinthians to ii corinthians chap v/quartus a brother.htm</font><p><a href="/library/sell/bible_studies_in_the_life_of_paul/study_x_pastoral_and_personal.htm"><span class="l">Pastoral and Personal</span></a> <br><b>...</b> Corinth (2:Tim.4:20) where he left <b>Erastus</b> and in <b>...</b> He refers to his first hearing<br> when every <b>friend</b> left him <b>...</b> What is the place of these Epistles in <b>Paul's</b> life? <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../sell/bible studies in the life of paul/study x pastoral and personal.htm</font><p><a href="/library/mcgarvey/a_commentary_on_acts_of_the_apostles/acts_xix.htm"><span class="l">Acts XIX</span></a> <br><b>...</b> his present field, that he sent Timothy and <b>Erastus</b> into Macedonia <b>...</b> speaker, like<br> the Asiarchs who interfered to keep <b>Paul</b> out of danger, was a <b>friend</b> to the <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../mcgarvey/a commentary on acts of the apostles/acts xix.htm</font><p><a href="/library/dick/lectures_on_the_acts_of_the_apostles/lecture_xxiii_the_uproar_in.htm"><span class="l">The Uproar in Ephesus.</span></a> <br><b>...</b> of <b>Paul</b>, he sent Timotheus and <b>Erastus</b> before him <b>...</b> Thus God delivered <b>Paul</b> and his<br> companions, from the <b>...</b> the town-clerk of Ephesus was a <b>friend</b> to Christianity. <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture xxiii the uproar in.htm</font><p><a href="/library/bangs/an_alphabetical_list_of_m_e_preachers/letter_d.htm"><span class="l">Letter D</span></a> <br><b>...</b> 1829, Located 1837 * Draper, <b>Friend</b> "Received 1808 <b>...</b> P. "Received 1836 * Duncan, <b>Erastus</b><br> B. "Received <b>...</b> Miall "Received 1836 * Dustin, <b>Paul</b> "Received 1802 <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../christianbookshelf.org/bangs/an alphabetical list of m e preachers/letter d.htm</font><p><a href="/library/unknown/the_decretals/ancient_syriac_documents_the_teaching_2.htm"><span class="l">The Teaching of the Apostles.</span></a> <br><b>...</b> Jews, [3090] like Iscariot, who was their <b>friend</b>, or the <b>...</b> For <b>Paul</b> also, and Timothy,<br> [3098] while they were <b>...</b> of his death, just as Timothy and <b>Erastus</b> of Lystra <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../unknown/the decretals/ancient syriac documents the teaching 2.htm</font><p><a href="/library/chrysostom/homilies_on_acts_and_romans/homily_i_acts_i_1.htm"><span class="l">Acts i. 1, 2</span></a> <br><b>...</b> whereby thou mayest yet become a <b>friend</b>: yet for <b>...</b> <b>Paul</b> speaks of it as the gospel<br> which he <b>...</b> Other conjectures are: Barnabas, Mark, <b>Erastus</b>, and an actual brother <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily i acts i 1.htm</font><p><a href="/library/bangs/an_alphabetical_list_of_m_e_preachers/letter_s.htm"><span class="l">Letter S</span></a> <br><b>...</b> Elijah "Received 1833 * Smith, <b>Erastus</b> "Received 1832 <b>...</b> 1835, Located 1839 * Smith,<br> <b>Friend</b> W. "Received <b>...</b> F. "Received 1834 * Steams, <b>Paul</b> F. "Received <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../christianbookshelf.org/bangs/an alphabetical list of m e preachers/letter s.htm</font><p><a href="/library/various/creeds_of_christendom_with_a_history_and_critical_notes/_93_the_westminster_assembly.htm"><span class="l">The Westminster Assembly.</span></a> <br><b>...</b> satisfaction, as the single passage of <b>Paul</b>, 'The grace <b>...</b> of the Assessors, our good<br> <b>friend</b> Mr. White <b>...</b> the Swiss professor and physician, <b>Erastus</b>, properly Liebler <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../ 93 the westminster assembly.htm</font><a name="res" id="res"></a><div class="vheading2">Resources</div><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/questions_Bible-people.html">Questions about People in the Bible (All) | GotQuestions.org</a><br /><br /><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/Epaphroditus-in-the-Bible.html">Who was Epaphroditus in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org</a><br /><br /><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/Erastus-in-the-Bible.html">Who was Erastus in the Bible? | 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="sub" id="sub"></a><div class="vheading2">Subtopics</div><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/e/erastus.htm">Erastus</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/e/erastus--a_friend_of_paul.htm">Erastus: A Friend of Paul</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/e/erastus--convert_of_paul's,_probably_same_as_preceding.htm">Erastus: Convert of Paul's, Probably Same As Preceding</a></p><a name="rel" id="rel"></a><div class="vheading2">Related Terms</div><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/e/erastus.htm">Erastus (3 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/e/ere.htm">Ere (14 Occurrences)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/topical/e/eras'tus.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Eras'tus"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Eras'tus" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/topical/naves/e/erastus--convert_of_paul's,_probably_same_as_preceding.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Erastus: Convert of Paul's, Probably Same As Preceding"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Erastus: Convert of Paul's, Probably Same As Preceding" /></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>