2037. Erastos
Lexical Summary
Erastos: Erastus

Original Word: Ἔραστος
Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine
Transliteration: Erastos
Pronunciation: eh-ras-tos
Phonetic Spelling: (er'-as-tos)
KJV: Erastus
NASB: Erastus
Word Origin: [from erao "to be in love with, desire"]

1. beloved
2. Erastus, a Christian

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
Erastus.

From erao (to love); beloved; Erastus, a Christian -- Erastus.

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from eraó (to love)
Definition
"beloved," Erastus, the name of two Christian
NASB Translation
Erastus (3).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 2037: Ἔραστος

Ἔραστος, Ἐραστου, , Erastus, (ἐραστός beloved, (cf. Chandler § 325; Lipsius, Gram. Untersuch., p. 30)), the name of two Christians:

1. the companion of the apostle Paul, Acts 19:22;

2. the city treasurer of Corinth, Romans 16:23. Which of the two is meant in 2 Timothy 4:20 cannot be determined.

STRONGS NT 2037a: ἐραυνάωἐραυνάω, a later and especially Alexandrian (cf. Sturz, Dial. Maced. et Alex., p. 117) form for ἐρευνάω, which see. Cf. Tdf. edition 7 min. Proleg., p. 37; (the major edition, p. 34; especially ed. 8 Proleg., p. 81f); Buttmann, 58 (50).

Topical Lexicon
Name and Background

Derived from a root that conveys affectionate love, the name Erastus points to the esteem in which this individual was held among early believers. He appears three times in the New Testament, always in connection with the Apostle Paul’s ministry.

Erastus in the Book of Acts

Acts 19:22 records that Paul “sent two of his helpers, Timothy and Erastus, to Macedonia, while he stayed for a time in the province of Asia”. Here Erastus functions as one of Paul’s trusted emissaries during the third missionary journey. His dispatch with Timothy indicates both competence and reliability, for Macedonian churches such as Philippi and Thessalonica required mature guidance amid persecution and doctrinal formation.

Erastus in the Epistle to the Romans

By the time Paul sends greetings to the believers in Rome (Romans 16:23), Erastus is introduced as “the city treasurer” of Corinth. The Greek title refers to a high-ranking civic official responsible for the city’s finances. His position illustrates that the gospel had penetrated influential social strata, fulfilling the promise that the message would reach “kings and governors” (compare Acts 9:15). Erastus’ public role and explicit identification with the church testify that Christian witness can flourish in secular institutions without compromise.

Erastus in 2 Timothy

Near the end of Paul’s life, he writes, “Erastus has remained at Corinth” (2 Timothy 4:20). The brief notice shows steadfastness: years after Acts 19, Erastus is still serving in the city where Paul once labored eighteen months. His continued presence supplied stability for the Corinthian congregation as Paul’s generation of apostles passed the torch to emerging leaders.

Ministry Partnership and Character

1. Faithful delegate—entrusted with delicate assignments on Paul’s behalf.
2. Courageous public servant—openly identified with Christ while holding municipal office.
3. Long-term pillar—maintained gospel influence in Corinth over an extended period.

Possible Continuity of Identity

Some scholars distinguish between the Erastus of Acts 19 and the civic treasurer of Romans 16; others view them as the same person whose responsibilities expanded. The later reference in 2 Timothy favors unity of identity: the same trusted colleague who traveled with Paul eventually settled into a strategic, ongoing role.

Historical and Archaeological Considerations

An inscription uncovered in Corinth reads: “Erastus, commissioner of public works, laid this pavement at his own expense.” While the title differs slightly, the find corroborates the New Testament portrayal of a believer occupying significant civic office in Corinth during the mid-first century.

Theological Reflection

Erastus exemplifies how vocation and discipleship interweave. His life demonstrates that influence in the marketplace can be dedicated to Christ’s mission, providing resources, stability, and credibility to the local church. His partnership with Paul underscores the New Testament pattern of diverse giftings—apostles, itinerant teachers, and lay professionals—laboring together for the advance of the gospel.

Lessons for Contemporary Believers

• Professional competence and Christian witness are not mutually exclusive.
• Long-term faithfulness in one locale can be as strategic as itinerant ministry.
• Financial stewardship (Romans 16:23) is a legitimate means of kingdom service.
• Collaboration between church leaders and lay officials strengthens gospel impact.

Forms and Transliterations
εράσθητι Εραστον Ἔραστον Εραστος Ἔραστος εργάβ ηράσθη Eraston Éraston Erastos Érastos
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Englishman's Concordance
Acts 19:22 N-AMS
GRK: Τιμόθεον καὶ Ἔραστον αὐτὸς ἐπέσχεν
NAS: to him, Timothy and Erastus, he himself
KJV: and Erastus; but he himself
INT: Timothy and Erastus he remained

Romans 16:23 N-NMS
GRK: ἀσπάζεται ὑμᾶς Ἔραστος ὁ οἰκονόμος
NAS: greets you. Erastus, the city
KJV: you. Erastus the chamberlain
INT: Greets you Erastus the manager

2 Timothy 4:20 N-NMS
GRK: Ἔραστος ἔμεινεν ἐν
NAS: Erastus remained at Corinth,
KJV: Erastus abode at
INT: Erastus remained in

Strong's Greek 2037
3 Occurrences


Ἔραστον — 1 Occ.
Ἔραστος — 2 Occ.

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