Difference between revisions of "Pyrrhus"

<p> (Πύρρος, a Greek name) </p> <p> 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. </p> <p> T. B. Allworthy. </p>

<p> <strong> PYRRHUS </strong> . A man of Berœa, 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. </p> <p> A. J. Maclean. </p>

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

Acts 20:4

<p> 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.). </p>

<p> ''''' pir´us ''''' ( Πύρρος , <i> ''''' Púrros ''''' </i> , "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). </p>

<p> (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]]). </p>