Lexical Summary Loukios: Lucius Original Word: Λούκιος Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Lucius. Of Latin origin; illuminative; Lucius, a Christian -- Lucius. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof Latin origin Definition Lucius, the name of two Christian NASB Translation Lucius (2). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 3066: ΛούκιοςΛούκιος, Λουκιου, ὁ (a Latin name), Lucius, of Cyrene, a prophet mad teacher of the church at Antioch: Acts 13:1; perhaps the same Lucius that is mentioned in Romans 16:21. Topical Lexicon LuciusOccurrences in Scripture 1. Acts 13:1 – Listed among the “prophets and teachers” in the congregation at Antioch: “Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen … and Saul.” Historical Background Cyrene, situated in modern-day Libya, was a major Hellenistic center with a large Jewish population (compare Acts 2:10; Acts 6:9; Acts 11:20). Jews from Cyrene were among the earliest to hear the gospel at Pentecost and later helped spread it to Antioch. Lucius, identified in Acts as “of Cyrene,” therefore stands as a representative of the North-African Jewish diaspora that embraced the Messiah. His presence in Antioch highlights the geographic breadth and ethnic diversity of the early Church only a few years after the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Role in the Church at Antioch Antioch became the first largely Gentile congregation and the launching pad for international missionary work (Acts 11:19-26). In Acts 13:1-3 Lucius shares a leadership list that balances Jews and Gentiles, men of palace upbringing (Manaen) and men from the island of Cyprus (Barnabas) or Africa (Simeon and Lucius). During a season of corporate fasting and worship, this group heard the Holy Spirit say, “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them” (Acts 13:2). Lucius thereby participates in the commissioning moment that initiates Paul’s first missionary journey. His prophetic ministry underscores that world missions were birthed in a climate of prayer and multicultural cooperation. Companion of Paul In Romans 16:21 Paul labels Lucius among his “kinsmen.” The term can describe fellow Jews or actual relatives; either way, Paul considers him family in the faith. Paul is then writing from Corinth near the end of his third missionary journey. Lucius’ presence in Corinth decades after Acts 13 shows long-term loyalty to the apostle’s ministry. By joining Timothy, Jason, and Sosipater in sending greetings, Lucius aligns himself with Paul’s gospel and with a network of coworkers who labored across the Mediterranean. Possible Identifications • Some early commentators proposed that Lucius might be Luke the beloved physician. This remains unlikely because Luke is never called “kinsman” of Paul, and Luke’s Gentile background (inferred from Colossians 4:11, 14) differs from the “kinsman” designation. Theological and Missional Implications 1. Unity in Diversity – Lucius embodies the seamless integration of African Jews into leadership alongside Hellenistic and Palestinian believers, demonstrating that in Christ “there is no distinction between Jew and Greek” (Romans 10:12). Legacy in Church History North Africa soon produced towering theologians such as Tertullian, Cyprian, and Augustine. Lucius stands at the fountainhead of that heritage, proving the gospel’s early penetration into African soil. By appearing in both a local church roster and an apostolic epistle, he shows how ordinary leaders in local assemblies can influence the global advance of the gospel. Key Takeaways • Lucius was an early Jewish believer from Cyrene who exercised prophetic and teaching gifts at Antioch. Forms and Transliterations Λουκιος Λούκιος λουτήρα λουτήρας λουτήρες λουτήρων Loukios LoúkiosLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Acts 13:1 N-NMSGRK: Νίγερ καὶ Λούκιος ὁ Κυρηναῖος NAS: Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, KJV: Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and INT: Niger and Lucius the Cyrenian Romans 16:21 N-NMS |
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