Andronicus

Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament

(Ἀνδρόνικος, a Greek name)

Saluted by St. Paul in  Romans 16:7, his name being coupled with that of Junias or Junia.*[Note: It is impossible, as this name occurs in the accus, case, to determine whether it is masculine or feminine. See art. Junias.](1) The pair are described as ‘my kinsmen’ (τοὺς συγγενεῖς μου), by which may be meant fellow-Jews ( Romans 9:5), possibly members of the same tribe, almost certainly not relatives. This last interpretation has given rise to one of the difficulties felt in deciding the destination of these salutations. Another ‘kinsman’ saluted is Herodion (v. 11), and salutations are sent from three ‘kinsmen’ in v. 21. The only relative of St. Paul known to us is a nephew ( Acts 23:16).

(2) Andronicus and Junia(s) are also described as ‘my fellow-prisoners’ (συναιχμαλώτους μου, lit.[Note: literally, literature.]‘prisoners of war’). The meaning may be that they had actually shared imprisonment with St. Paul (the only imprisonment up to this time known to us was the short confinement at Philippi [ Acts 16:23, but see  2 Corinthians 11:23]). Possibly they may not have suffered imprisonment with the Apostle at the same time and place; but, as enduring persecution for Christ’s sake, they were in that sense ‘fellow-prisoners.’ The only other mention of ‘fellow-prisoner’ is in a description of Aristarchus ( Colossians 4:10) and Epaphras ( Philemon 1:23). The meaning in these cases is evidently literal, both sharing the Apostle’s captivity at Rome, whether compulsorily or voluntarily.

(3) The pair are further described as ‘of note among the apostles’ (ἐπίσημοι ἐν τοῖς ἀποστόλοις). Two interpretations of this phrase are possible: ( a ) well-known and honoured by the apostles, ( b ) notable or distinguished as apostles. The latter, although a remarkable expression (and all the more so if the second name is that of a woman), is probably to be preferred. This makes Andronicus and Junia(s) apostles in the wider sense of delegated missionaries (see Lightfoot, Gal . 5, 1876, p. 92ff. and note on p. 96),

(4) Lastly, Andronicus and Junia(s) are said to have been ‘in Christ before me’ (οἳ καὶ πρὸ ἐμοῦ γέγοναν ἐν χριστῷ), i.e. they had become Christians before the conversion of Saul. Seniority of faith was of importance in the Apostolic Church. It brought honour, and it may have also brought responsibility and obligation to serve on behalf of the community (cf. Clement, Ep . 42; and see  1 Corinthians 16:15 f.; also articleEpaenetus). Note the prominence given to Mnason ( q.v. [Note: quod vide, which see.] ) as an ‘early’ or ‘original’ disciple in  Acts 21:16.

The name Andronicus occurs in inscriptions belonging to the Imperial household (see Sanday-Headlam, Romans 5, 1902, p. 422).

T. B. Allworthy.

Fausset's Bible Dictionary

A Christian at Rome, saluted by Paul ( Romans 16:7). He and Junia were Paul's "kinsmen" (or the Greek may mean "fellow countrymen,"  Romans 16:11-21) "and fellow prisoners, of note among the apostles" (in the wider sense than the Twelve:  Acts 14:4;  Acts 14:14;  2 Corinthians 8:23;  1 Thessalonians 2:6), "and in Christ" (by faith) "before" him. Bishop of Pannonia subsequently, says "Hippolytus."

Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible

ANDRONICUS . A Christian greeted by St. Paul (  Romans 16:7 ) as a ‘kinsman,’ i.e. as a fellow-countryman (cf.   Romans 9:3;   Romans 16:11;   Romans 16:21 ), who had been imprisoned for Christ; distinguished as an Apostle (in the largest sense of the name), and a believer from early days, having perhaps come to Rome after the persecution of   Acts 11:19 ).

A. J. Maclean.

Smith's Bible Dictionary

Androni'cus. (Man-Conqueror).

1. An officer left as viceroy,  2 Maccabees 4:31, in Antioch by Antiochus Epiphanes during his absence.  2 Maccabees 4:31-38. (B.C. 171).

2. Another officer of Antiochus Epiphanes who was left by him on Garizem.  2 Maccabees 5:23.

3. A Christian at Rome, saluted by St. Paul,  Romans 16:7, together with Junia.

Morrish Bible Dictionary

Kinsman of Paul at Rome, who with Junia were his fellow prisoners, and of whom he said they were in Christ before him.  Romans 16:7 .

Holman Bible Dictionary

 Romans 16:7Apostles

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

A Jewish Christian, and fellow-prisoner of Paul,  Romans 16:7 .

Easton's Bible Dictionary

 Romans 16:7

Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature

( Ἀνδρόνικος , Man-Conquering ) , the name (frequent among the Greeks) of several men in Scripture history.

1. An officer left as viceroy ( Διαδεχόμενος ,  2 Maccabees 4:31) in Antioch by Antiochus Epiphanes during his absence (B.C. 171). Menelaus availed himself of the opportunity to secure his Lrood offices by offering him some golden vessels which he had taken from the temple. When Onias III (q.v.) was certainly assured that the sacrilege had been committed, he sharply reproved Menelaus for the crime, having previously taken refuge in the sanctuary of Apollo and Artemis at Daphne. At the instigation of Menelaus, Andronicus induced Onias to leave the sanctuary, and immediately put him to death in prison ( Παρέκλεισεν ,  2 Maccabees 4:34?) This murder excited general indignation; and on the return of Antiochus, Andronicus was publicly degraded and executed (2 Maccabees 4:3038), B.C. 169. Josephus places the death of Onias before the high- priesthood of Jason (Ant. 12, 5, 1), and omits all mention of Andronicus; but there is not sufficient reason to doubt the truthfulness of the narrative in 2 Maccabees, as Wernsdorf has done (De fide libr. Macc. p. 90 sq.). — Smith, s.v.

2. Another officer of Antiochus Epiphanes who was left by him on Gerizim ( 2 Maccabees 5:23), probably in occupation of the temple there. As the name was common, it seems unreasonable to identify this general with the former one, and so to introduce a contradiction into the history (Ewald, Gesch. D. Volkes Isr. 4, 335 n.; comp. Grimm,  2 Maccabees 4:38). He was possibly the same with the Andronicus, son of Messalamus, mentioned by Josephus ( Ant. 13, 3, 4) as having convinced Ptolemy (Philometor) of the orthodoxy of the temple at Jerusalem in opposition to that of the Samaritans.

3. A Jewish Christian, the kinsman and fellow-prisoner of Paul, who speaks of him as having been converted to Christianity before himself, and as now enjoying the high regards of the apostles for his usefulness ( Romans 16:7), A.D. 55. According to Hippolytus, he became bishop of Pannonia; according to Dorotheus, of Spain. See the treatises of Bose, De Andronico et Junio (Lips. 1742); Orlog, De Romanis quibus Paulus epistolam misit (Hafn. 1722).

the name of several saints commemorated in various early calendars:

(1) saint, April 5 (Bede);

(2) May 13 (Jerome);

(3) "apostle," with Junia ( Romans 16:2), May 17 (Byzant.); finding of relics, Feb. 22 (ibid.);

(4) Sept. 27 (Jerome);

(5) "holy father," Oct. 9 (Byzant.);

(6) martyr, Oct. 10 (Jerome), Oct. 11 (old Rom.), Oct. 12 (Byzant.).

(See Andronicians).

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

an - dro - nı̄´kus ( Ἀνδρόνικος , Andrónikos ):

(1) A deputy of Antiochus Epiphanes, who, while ruling at Antioch, excited the Jews by the murder of Onias, and, upon their formal complaint, was executed by his superior (2 Macc 4:32-38); generally distinguished from another officer of the same name, also under Antiochus (2 Macc 5:23).

(2) A kinsman of Paul, residing at Rome ( Romans 16:7 ). He had been converted to Christianity before Paul, and, like Paul, had suffered imprisonment, although when and where can only be surmised. When he and Junias, another kinsman of Paul, are referred to as "of note among the apostles," this may be interpreted as either designating the high esteem in which they were held by the Twelve, or as reckoning them in the number of apostles. The latter is the sense, if "apostle" be understood here in the more general meaning, used in  Acts 14:14 of Barnabas, in   2 Corinthians 8:23 of Titus, in   Philippians 2:25 of Epaphroditus, and in the Didache of "the traveling evangelists or missionaries who preached the gospel from place to place" (Schaff, The Teaching of the Twelve Apostles , 67; see also Lightfoot on Philippians , 196). On this assumption, Andronicus was one of the most prominent and successful of the traveling missionaries of the early church.

Kitto's Popular Cyclopedia of Biblial Literature

Andronicus, 1

Andron´icus, the regent-governor of Antioch in the absence of Antiochus Epiphanes, who, at the instigation of Menelaus, put to death the deposed high-priest Onias; for which deed he was himself ignominiously slain on the return of Antiochus (2 Maccabees 4) B.C. 169.

Andronicus, 2

Andronicus, a Jewish Christian, the kinsman and fellow-prisoner of Paul ( Romans 16:7).