5061. Tertullos
Lexical Summary
Tertullos: Tertullus

Original Word: Τέρτυλλος
Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine
Transliteration: Tertullos
Pronunciation: ter-TOOL-los
Phonetic Spelling: (ter'-tool-los)
KJV: Tertullus
NASB: Tertullus
Word Origin: [of uncertain derivation]

1. Tertullus, a Roman

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
Tertullus.

Of uncertain derivation; Tertullus, a Roman -- Tertullus.

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
of uncertain origin
Definition
Tertullus, probably a Rom.
NASB Translation
Tertullus (2).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 5061: Τέρτυλλος

Τέρτυλλος, Τερτύλλου, , Tertullus, a Roman orator: Acts 24:1f. (See ῤήτωρ.)

Topical Lexicon
Name and Identity

Tertullus is identified in Acts 24 as the professional spokesman retained by the Jewish leadership to present formal charges against the apostle Paul before the Roman governor Antonius Felix in Caesarea. The narrative portrays him as a skilled advocate, versed in Greco-Roman forensic oratory and capable of framing Jewish concerns in language calculated to sway a Roman magistrate.

Scriptural Context

Acts 24:1–9 describes the coordinated effort of the high priest Ananias, certain elders, and their counsel Tertullus. After Paul’s rescue from a mob in Jerusalem and transfer to Caesarea, the delegation arrives to prosecute him:

“When Paul had been summoned, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying to Felix, ‘We have enjoyed a long period of peace under you, and your foresight has brought about reforms for this nation…’” (Acts 24:2-3).

Tertullus proceeds to level three accusations: (1) Paul is a plague, stirring up riots among Jews throughout the world; (2) he is a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes; (3) he even tried to desecrate the temple (Acts 24:5-6). Luke’s account records the orator’s flattery, rhetorical precision, and apparent disregard for the facts as later clarified by Paul (Acts 24:10-21).

Historical Background

Professional advocates, or “oratores,” were common in Roman provincial courts. Wealthy or influential parties retained such men to shape legal arguments and appeal to the governor’s sense of imperial order. Tertullus, likely trained in classical rhetoric, illustrates the fusion of Jewish opposition to the gospel with Roman legal mechanisms. His Roman-sounding name suggests either Hellenistic background or adoption of a Gentile name for professional reasons.

Role in Paul’s Ministry

The episode underscores God’s providential use of hostile circumstances to advance the gospel:

1. Paul receives a public platform to testify of “the hope in God” (Acts 24:15).
2. The contrast between Tertullus’s flattery and Paul’s truthfulness highlights the integrity of Christian witness (Acts 24:2-4 versus 24:10-16).
3. The legal proceedings contribute to Paul’s eventual appeal to Caesar, fulfilling Christ’s promise that Paul would bear His name “before kings” (Acts 9:15).

Thus, Tertullus, though opposed to the message, becomes an unwitting instrument in God’s redemptive plan.

Theological Implications

• Opposition to the gospel often wears respectable clothing. Tertullus’s cultured speech represents the world’s attempt to suppress truth through persuasive eloquence (1 Corinthians 2:1-5).
• God’s servants are called to give a reasoned defense with a clear conscience, contrasting worldly rhetoric with Spirit-enabled testimony (1 Peter 3:15-16).
• The episode affirms God’s sovereignty over judicial and political structures (Proverbs 21:1), encouraging believers facing legal or cultural hostility.

Lessons for the Church

1. Avoid reliance on flattery or manipulation; instead speak “the truth in love” (Ephesians 4:15).
2. Expect misrepresentation; yet trust that Christ’s followers, like Paul, can boldly clarify the gospel when falsely accused.
3. Maintain respect for governing authorities while acknowledging higher allegiance to God (Acts 5:29; Romans 13:1-4).

Related Themes and Cross-References

• False accusation: Psalm 27:12; Matthew 26:59-60.
• Legal defense of faith: Daniel 1–6; Acts 4:8-13; 2 Timothy 4:16-17.
• God’s sovereignty over earthly rulers: Isaiah 45:1-7; John 19:11.

Forms and Transliterations
Τερτυλλος Τέρτυλλος Τερτυλλου Τερτύλλου τέρψει Tertullos Tertullou Tertyllos Tértyllos Tertyllou Tertýllou
Links
Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Acts 24:1 N-GMS
GRK: καὶ ῥήτορος Τερτύλλου τινός οἵτινες
NAS: with an attorney [named] Tertullus, and they brought charges
KJV: orator [named] Tertullus, who
INT: and an orator Tertullus a certain who

Acts 24:2 N-NMS
GRK: κατηγορεῖν ὁ Τέρτυλλος λέγων Πολλῆς
NAS: After [Paul] had been summoned, Tertullus began
KJV: was called forth, Tertullus began
INT: to accuse [him] Tertullus saying Great

Strong's Greek 5061
2 Occurrences


Τέρτυλλος — 1 Occ.
Τερτύλλου — 1 Occ.

5060
Top of Page
Top of Page