Pyrrhus

Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament

(Πύρρος, a Greek name)

In à ABDE and several ancient versions Sopater of BerCEa, who accompanied St. Paul on at least part of his return journey from Greece to Palestine, is described in  Acts 20:4 as ‘the son of Pyrrhus’ (Σώπατρος Πύρρου). In the TR_ Πύρρου is omitted in accordance with later MSS_ and versions. Hence the omission in the English AV_ and the addition in the RV_. Nothing further is known of Pyrrhus or of Sopater (q.v._), unless the latter, as is possible, is identical with Sosipater of  Romans 16:21, who is one of three men who send salutations from Corinth as ‘kinsmen’ of St. Paul, i.e. fellow-Jews. If we consider this identification likely, we shall suppose father and son to have been Hellenistic Jews, and perhaps both to have been among the ‘many’ converts made at BerCEa during the Apostle’s visit there ( Acts 17:10-14). The mention of Pyrrhus at all may indicate that he had become well known as a Christian. On the other hand, some commentators consider that his name has been inserted purposely to distinguish Sopater from Sosipater. This is the only instance of a patronymic of the usual Greek fashion in the NT. It may point to a family of some social position.

T. B. Allworthy.

Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible

PYRRHUS . A man of BerÅ“a, father of Sopater, according to the best text (  Acts 20:4 RV [Note: Revised Version.] ). For the unusual insertion of the patronymic, see art. Sopater.

A. J. Maclean.

Smith's Bible Dictionary

Pyr'rhus. The father of Sopater of Berea,  Acts 20:4, in Revised Version. (A.D. 55).

Holman Bible Dictionary

 Acts 20:4

The Nuttall Encyclopedia

King of Epirus, and kinsman of Alexander the Great; essayed to emulate the Macedonian by conquering the western World, and in 280 B.C. invaded Italy with a huge army, directed to assist the Italian Greeks against Rome; in the decisive battles of that year and the next, he won "Pyrrhic victories" over the Romans, losing so many men that he could not pursue his advantage; 278 to 276 he spent helping the Greek colonies in Sicily against Carthage; his success was not uniform, and a Carthaginian fleet inflicted a serious defeat on his fleet returning to Italy; in 274 he was thoroughly vanquished by the Romans, and retired to Epirus; subsequent wars against Sparta and Argos were marked by disaster; in the latter he was killed by a tile thrown by a woman (318-272 B.C.).

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

pir´us ( Πύρρος , Púrros , "fiery-red"): The name is inserted in the text of the Revised Version (British and American) in   Acts 20:4 as that of the father of Sopater (which see).

Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature

( Πύῤῥος - haired, a common Greek name) is given in the best MSS. as the name of the father of Sopater, Paul's companion ( Acts 20:4). (See Sopater).