Achaicus

Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament

One of many worthies whose character adorned the early Church, and whose service edified it, but whom we know only by a casual reference in the NT. In  1 Corinthians 16:17 St. Paul rejoices ‘at the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus.’ Probably they formed a deputation from the Corinthian Church; they may have been bearers of the letter of inquiry which St. Paul answers in ch. 7ff. His language suggests that their coming somewhat reassured him after the disquieting news brought by Chloe’s household, and other ugly rumours ( 1 Corinthians 5:1). Perhaps they represented the parties in Corinth; yet they must have been trusted by the Church and must also have shown themselves loyal to the Apostle. Achaicus is such a rare name that some authorities call it ‘Greek,’ others ‘Roman.’ The suggestion that Achaicus was a slave-either of Stephanas or of Chloe-does not comport either with his position as a delegate or with St. Paul’s appeal to the Church to ‘acknowledge such,’ i.e. to recognize the quality of their service and to treat them with becoming deference.

Literature.-articles in Hasting's Dictionary of the Bible (5 vols) on ‘Achaicus,’ and ‘I. Corinthians,’ i. 487a; Comm. on 1 Cor. by Findlay ( Expositor’s Greek Testament ), 950, and by Godet, ii. 467; C. v. Weizsäcker, Apostolic Age , i. 2 [London, 1897] pp. 113, 305, 319, ii. [do. 1895] p. 320; Expositor , 8th ser. i. [1911] 341f.

J. E. Roberts.

Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible

ACHAICUS . The name of a member of the Church at Corinth. He was with Stephanas and Fortunatus (  1 Corinthians 16:17 f.) when they visited St. Paul at Ephesus and ‘refreshed his spirit.’ Nothing more is certainly known of him. As slaves were often named from the country of their birth, it is a probable conjecture that he was a slave, born in Achaia.

J. G. Tasker.

Fausset's Bible Dictionary

A Christian of Achaia, who with Stephanas and Fortunatus was the bearer of Paul's First Epistle to the Corinthians, and recommended in it to their regard, as one of those who supplied his yearning for Christian fellowship and "refreshed his spirit" ( 1 Corinthians 16:17-18).

Morrish Bible Dictionary

A Christian who, with Stephanas and Fortunatus, visited Paul at Ephesus, by whom the apostle was refreshed in spirit.  1 Corinthians 16:17 . The subscription to the epistle states that it was sent to Corinth by the above three and Timotheus.

Smith's Bible Dictionary

Acha'icus. (Belonging To Achaia). A name of a Christian.  1 Corinthians 16:17.

Holman Bible Dictionary

 1 Corinthians 16:17 1 Corinthians 7:1

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

a - kā´i - kus ( Ἀχαικός , Achaikós , "belonging to Achaia"): A name honorably conferred upon L. Mummius, conqueror of Corinth and Achaia (compare Corinth ). Achaicus was one of the leaders of the Corinthian church (to be inferred from  1 Corinthians 16:15 ) who, visiting Paul at Ephesus with Stephanas and Fortunatus, greatly relieved the Apostle's anxiety for the Corinthian church (compare  1 Corinthians 5:1 ). Paul admonishes the members of the Cor church to submit to their authority (compare  1 Thessalonians 5:12 ) and to acknowledge their work ( 1 Corinthians 16:15 ).

Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature

( Ἀχαϊκός , an Acheaun), a Christian of Corinth, who, with Fortunatus, was the bearer of Paul's first epistle to the Church there, to whom he kindly commends them as having rendered him personal assistance ( 1 Corinthians 16:17, subscription; comp. ver. 15, 16), A.D. 54.

Kitto's Popular Cyclopedia of Biblial Literature

Acha´icus, a native of Achaia, and a follower of the apostle Paul. He, with Stephanus and Fortunatus, was the bearer of the 1st Epistle to the Corinthians, and was recommended by the apostle to their special respect ( 1 Corinthians 16:17).