Olympas was one of many church members, in Rome, to whom Paul sent his personal greetings. She may have been part of a house church that included Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister, as well as others.
Onesimus
Colossians 4:9, Philemon 1:10
Onesimus lived in Colosse. Scripture introduces him as an educated slave of Philemon, a Christian who was a friend and helper of Paul (Philemon 1:1). The purpose of the apostle writing the book of Philemon was to appeal to his friend to treat Onesimus with forgiveness and mercy.
Onesimus was a fugitive slave who ran away from Philemon. Paul strongly hints that he robbed his owner (Philemon 1:18 - 19) and then fled. After leaving his owner he made his way to Rome and found the place where the apostle was under house arrest (Acts 28:30 - 31). After hearing the gospel he became a Christian (Philemon 1:10).
Although Paul greatly desired for Onesimus to stay in Rome because he aided the apostle, he sent him back to Philemon. He hoped he could convince his friend not only to forgive any wrong done by Onesimus but also to treat him as a fellow brother in the faith.
Onesimus and Tychicus together delivered the epistle to the Colossians (Colossians 4:7 - 9). Onesimus also wrote down Paul's words that became the book of Philemon. It is possible both letters were delivered at the same time since Philemon lived in Colosse. Roman Catholic tradition states Onesimus eventually became the Bishop of Berea.
Onesiphorus
2Timothy 1:16 - 18, 4:19
Onesiphorus was a Christian who lived in Ephesus. He greatly aided the Apostle Paul during his first evangelism of the city.
Paul specially commends Onesiphorus for tracking him down and visiting him during his second (and last) imprisonment in Rome. Onesiphorus frequently refreshed the apostle and was not ashamed of his chains, unlike so many others who abandoned him (2Timothy 1:15, 4:10 - 11, 16 - 17).
Paul's first stint in prison (late 61 to early 63 A.D.), discussed in Acts 28, was decidedly different from the second one he experienced. The apostle's first imprisonment in Rome entailed living in his own lodging with only one soldier guarding him. He was allowed the freedom to have as many visitors as he wanted and even to "host" several of them as he preached the gospel (see Acts 28:16 - 31).
Paul's second imprisonment, however, prior to his martyrdom in 68 A.D., was much harsher. He was not only chained but also treated as a malefactor. There is no Biblical mention of him preaching the gospel during this period. Not only was finding him in the city much harder, it was also much more dangerous to be seen with him, as those who did so risked receiving the same fate.
Parmenas was one of the first seven men, selected by the early church, to handle the daily distribution of food to the poor saints in Jerusalem. These men are commonly referred to as the New Testament's first deacons. Nothing more is known about Parmenas.
Patrobas was one of many Christians in Rome greeted in the book of Romans. He was likely a member of a house church attended by Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermas, Hermes and others. Nothing more is known about him.
Paul (Saul)
Acts 7:58, 8:1 - 3, 9, 11:25, 30,
12:25, 13 - 28, Romans 1:1,
1Corinthians 1:1, 2Corinthians 1:1, etc.
2Peter 3:15
The Apostle Paul, whose birth name was Saul, was born around 2 A.D. His father was a Pharisee (Acts 23:6). Although a Jew by birth, he was considered a Roman citizen. He received his education in Jerusalem by the well-known Pharisaic Rabbi Gamaliel (Acts 22:3). As a young man, he was a zealous Pharisee who persecuted the early Christian church (Acts 7 - 8).
Paul's ministry ran from 33 to 68 A.D., during which time he conducted at least five missionary journeys. For more information, please see our article dedicated to Paul. We also have an entire section dedicated to the life, ministry and missionary journeys of the Apostle Paul.
Persis was an important woman in Rome greeted by Paul in the last chapter of Romans. The apostle stated she was greatly beloved and had worked hard to serve.
Peter (Cephas, Simon Peter)
Matthew 4, 8, 10, etc., Mark 3, 5, 8, 9, etc.
Luke 5, 6, 8, 9. etc.
John, 1, 6, 13, 18, 20, 21
Acts 1 - 5, 8, 9, etc.
Galatians 1:18, 2:7 - 14
1Corinthians 1:12, 3:22, 9:5, 15:5
1Peter 1:1, 2Peter 1:1
Peter, the brother of Andrew, was the third person Jesus personally called to be one of his disciples. Both he and his brother Andrew, who lived in Bethsaida (John 1:44), worked together as fishermen (Matthew 4:18 - 20, Mark 1:16 - 18). At the time of his calling Peter, whose original name was Simon, was married (Mark 1:29 - 31).
Peter was one of only three witnesses to Jesus' transfiguration (the other two being James and John, Matthew 17). He also walked on water with Jesus (Matthew 14) and denied him three times just before the crucifixion (Matthew 26). He authored two books that were included in the New Testament.
When the debate over whether believers ought to be circumcised or not erupted in Syrian Antioch, Paul, Barnabas and others went to Jerusalem in 49 A.D. to settle the issue. While in the city Paul conferred with Peter and some of the other apostles (Galatians 2:1 - 9).
Peter, just before Paul's third missionary journey in 53 A.D., visited Syrian Antioch. During the first part of his visit, Peter readily mixed and ate with both Jewish and Gentile Christian converts. When Jewish converts visited from Jerusalem who still believed that Jews should separate themselves from Gentiles, however, he changed his behavior. Peter fell back into the same bigotry and behavior toward Gentiles he possessed before his conversion, even though such people were now Christians just like him.
Peter's bigoted and unchristian behavior put him on a collision course with Paul, who was called to be the apostle to the Gentiles (Galatians 2:7). Peter's public rebuke, though no doubt difficult to experience, was warranted (Galatians 2:11 - 21).
Contrary to Roman Catholic tradition, Peter was not the first pope, nor was he the head of the church, nor was he given the keys to God's kingdom. There are no Scriptures stating Peter, or anyone after him, was given the authority to rule over the faith of Christians.
Peter died as a martyr likely in 68 A.D.
Philemon was a Christian living in Colosse who was a friend and helper of Paul. Every Sabbath he hosted a house church where believers came together to worship God and discuss Scripture (Philemon 1:2).
A slave owned by Philemon, named Onesimus, stole from him then fled to Rome. While he was in the capital city, he found the apostle and became converted. The Biblical book named after Philemon is the apostle's personal letter to him hoping to convince his friend to forgive and forget the wrongs committed by Onesimus. For more information, please see our listing for Onesimus.
Philetus was a false teacher who, along with Hymenseus, promoted the heretical belief that the resurrection from the dead had already occurred. According to one Biblical commentary, this teaching was a Gnostic heresy held by the Nicolaitans. Paul felt it necessary to warn his friend Timothy, in his last letter, to be wary of such false doctrines.
Philip (the apostle)
Matthew 10:3, Mark 3:18, Luke 6:14
John 1:43 - 50, 6:5 - 7, 12:20 - 22,
14:8 - 13, Acts 1:13
Philip, the fourth person personally called to be one of Jesus' twelve apostles, resided in Bethsaida where Andrew and Peter also lived (John 1:44, 12:21). It was Philip who led his friend and future fellow apostle Nathanael to Jesus (John 1:45 - 49).
According to Foxe's, he spread the gospel in upper Asia and died a martyr at Heliopolis in Phrygia. When God's builds his New Jerusalem, the gemstone that will be an everlasting memorial to Philip's efforts will likely be an emerald.
Philip the Evangelist
Acts 6:5, 8:5 - 40, 21:8
Philip the Evangelist was specially selected in the early church to serve church members (Acts 6:1 - 6).
Philip was used by God to powerfully preach the gospel and perform miracles in Samaria (Acts 8:5 - 6). He was later used to preach to and baptize an Ethiopian eunuch (Acts 8:26 - 40) and to evangelize the city of Azotus (anciently called Ashdod, a Philistine city), as well as the surrounding area up to Caesarea.
Philip, later in his life, married, lived in Caesarea, and was the father of four virgins who possessed the gift of prophecy (teaching).
Philip and Paul met face to face when the apostle, nearing the end of his third missionary journey, stayed several days at his house in Caesarea. After his stay, he proceeded to Jerusalem. Interestingly, Philip and Stephen are the only two of the seven specially selected church servants (Acts 6) that had any recorded interaction with Paul.
This Philip is sometimes referred to as Herod Philip II by modern authors. Please see our listing for Herod Philip II.
Philologus was one of many Christians in Rome saluted in Romans. He seems to have attended a house church where Julia, Nereus, Olympas and others met each Sabbath. Although one Catholic tradition states Philologus was one of the seventy men trained by Jesus (see Luke 10), this speculation cannot be proved or disproved.
Phlegon was one of many Christians in Rome greeted in the last chapter of Romans. He was likely a member of a house church attended by Asyncritus, Patrobas, Hermas, Hermes and others. Nothing more is known about him.
Phoebe was a female leader in the church at Cenchrea. Paul commends her help not only to him but also to the rest of the church.
The apostle took advantage of Phoebe traveling to Rome to have her deliver a letter to the city's Christians. He requests the church, when she arrives in the city, "to assist her in whatever she may need from you" (Romans 16:2).
Phygellus' name means "fugitive." Both he and Hermogenes were Christians from Asia who turned away from Paul. The apostle conveyed their rejection to his close friend Timothy while he waited for martyrdom in Rome. Although it is possible these two men rejected Paul so as not to risk the same fate upon themselves (prison and death), Scripture is silent regarding the reasons they left him.
Pontius Pilate
Matthew 27:2, 57 - 58, Mark 15:43 - 45
Luke 3:1, 13:1, 23:52
John 18:28 - 40, 19:38
Acts 3:13, 4:27, 13:28, 1Timothy 6:13
Pontius Pilate was Roman Prefect (governor) of Judea during the time of Jesus' public ministry and crucifixion. He was Rome's authority in Judea from 26 to 36 A.D. He (and his wife) believed Jesus was undeserving of death. Pilate rightfully suspected that Jesus' arrest by the Jews centered far more on religious disagreements rather than a state crime deserving the death penalty.
Pilate, however, was politically astute. While he did not want, unilaterally, to condemn Christ, he also wanted to appease the Jews. He therefore allowed the people of Jerusalem to decide whether Christ or Barabbas would die in the likely hope Jesus would be freed. To his surprise the crowd, manipulated by those who hatred Jesus, demanded Barabbas be freed and the Lord crucified. Pilate, regrettably, released Barabbas and sent the Lord to the crucified.
Priscilla and Aquila
Acts 18:2, 18, 26, 1Corinthians 16:19
Romans 16:3 - 4, 2Timothy 4:19
Aquila, who was born in the Roman province of Pontus, was a Jew who converted to Christianity (Acts 18:2). He and his wife Priscilla were Christians who had their own business and who frequently traveled.
They were tent makers just like Paul and meet him for the first time in Corinth toward the end of his second missionary journey (Acts 18). The couple had previously resided in Rome but were kicked out, along with other Jews and Christians, by Claudius Caesar.
It is interesting to note that half the time Priscilla's name is listed it is before her husband Aquila's name. This may be an indication that she had a stronger personality than her mate did.
Priscilla and Aquila accompanied Paul after he left Corinth and went with him to Ephesus. They stayed in the city when the apostle needed to continue his journey. It is after he left that they met Apollos, an eloquent man whose knowledge they completed by telling him about Jesus.
The couple resided in Ephesus long enough to meet Paul again when he comes back to the city for an extended stay during his third missionary journey. When Paul pens his letter to Corinth, from Ephesus, he sends the church greetings from the couple and from the fellowship group meeting in their home (1Corinthians 16:19).
Priscilla and Aquila leave Ephesus after Paul is chased out of the city and travel back to Rome. When the apostle writes the book of Romans from Corinth in 57 A.D., he sends his greetings to the couple and commends their selfless sacrifices for the brethren.
The couple stays loyal to Paul to the very end when many others abandoned him. His last epistle before his death salutes them and their tireless efforts for the gospel.
Prochorus was one of the first seven men, selected by the early church, to handle the daily distribution of food to the poor saints in Jerusalem. These men are commonly referred to as the New Testament's first deacons. Nothing more is known about Prochorus.
Publius was a resident and "chief man" (governor) of the island of Malta (Melita in the KJV). He provided lodging for Paul, who was a prisoner, and Luke, when their vessel shipwrecked near the island (see Acts 27 - 28).
While he was on Malta Paul discovered that Publius' father was quite sick. The man was healed after the apostle prayed for and laid hands on him.
Pudens was a Christian who sent his greetings to Timothy through the book of 2Timothy. Some commentaries speculate he may have been the husband of Claudia who is mentioned in the same verse.