Sosipater

Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament

(Σωσίπατρος, a Greek name)

Sosipater is one of three men, Lucius and Jason being the others, who send salutations in  Romans 16:21 and are described by St. Paul as ‘my kinsmen’ (οἱ συγγενεῖς μου), i.e. fellow-Jews (cf. Andronicus and Junia(s),  Romans 16:7, Herodion,  Romans 16:11). It is possible that Jason (q.v.[Note: .v. quod vide, which see.]) is identical with Jason of  Acts 17:5 f., who was the Apostle’s host at Thessalonica. Sosipater may be the same as Sopater (q.v.[Note: .v. quod vide, which see.])-another form of the name-of  Acts 20:4, who is said to have been a BerCEan. If these identifications are correct, we shall suppose that these men were visiting St. Paul at Corinth at the time of writing or had become missionary companions of the Apostle. We know that Sopater did accompany St. Paul afterwards on at least part of his return journey to Palestine. It is perhaps in favour of this theory that the salutations of Lucius, Jason, and Sosipater are sent with those of Timothy and not with those of the Corinthian Christians, Gaius, Erastus, Quartus ( Acts 20:23), the personal greeting of the amanuensis being interposed ( Acts 20:22). If we think the identification unlikely, we shall suppose Sosipater and the others to have been members of the church at Corinth. It is perhaps easier to believe that their salutations were meant for fellow-Christians at Ephesus than at Rome, but we must remember that in the Apostolic Church sympathy and even affection were possible between converts who were not personally acquainted. It is interesting but of little importance for our present purpose to know that the name Sosipater is found among the list of Thessalonian politarchs (CIG[Note: IG Corpus Inscrip. Graecarum.]ii. 1967).

T. B. Allworthy.

Smith's Bible Dictionary

Sosip'ater. (Saviour Of His Father). Kinsman, or fellow tribesman, of St. Paul,  Romans 16:21, is, probably, the same person as Sopater of Berea. (A.D. 54). See Sopater .

Fausset's Bible Dictionary

 Romans 16:21. Possibly the full form of Sopater ( Acts 20:4).

Morrish Bible Dictionary

Kinsman of Paul, whose salutations were sent to Rome.  Romans 16:21 .

Holman Bible Dictionary

 Romans 16:21 Acts 20:4

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

See Sopater .

Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible

SOSIPATER . See Sopater.

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

sṓ - sip´a - tẽr ( Σωσίπατρος , Sōsı́patros ): Sosipater unites with Lucius and Jason in sending greetings to the Roman Christians (  Romans 16:21 ). He is a "kinsman" of Paul, by which Paul means a Jew ( Romans 9:3;  Romans 16:11 ,  Romans 16:21 ). It is the same name as Sopater (which see). "Sopater of Berea" was one of the companions of Paul on his journey from Philippi after his 3rd missionary journey ( Acts 20:4 ). These two are probably the same person, Paul having with him in Corinth, at the time of writing to the Roman Christians, the two Macedonians, Sopater of Berea and Jason of Thessalonica. The name Sosipater is found on a list of politarchs of Thessalonica.

Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature

( Σωσίπατρος , Saver Of His Father, common Greek name), the name of two men in the Apocrypha and New Test.

1. A general of Judas Maccabeus who, in conjunction with Dositheus, defeated Timotheus and took him prisoner ( 2 Maccabees 12:19-24). B.C. cir. 164.

2. A kinsman or fellow tribesman of Paul, mentioned as being with him in the salutations at the end of the Epistle to the Romans ( Romans 16:21). A.D. 54. He is probably the same person as SOPATER (See Sopater) (q.v.) of Beroea ( Acts 20:4).

Kitto's Popular Cyclopedia of Biblial Literature

Sosip´ater [SOPATER]