Crates is a figure mentioned in the context of early Christian history, though not directly referenced in the canonical books of the Bible. The name "Crates" itself does not appear in the Berean Standard Bible or other major translations of the biblical text. However, understanding the historical and cultural backdrop of the New Testament period can provide insight into figures like Crates who may have been contemporaries or influencers in the broader Greco-Roman world.

Historical Context

During the time of the New Testament, the Greco-Roman world was a melting pot of philosophical thought, religious practices, and cultural exchanges. Philosophers like Crates of Thebes, a Cynic philosopher from the 4th century BC, were well-known for their teachings and lifestyle, which often stood in contrast to the prevailing norms of society. Although Crates of Thebes lived several centuries before the New Testament era, his influence persisted through the philosophical schools that continued to thrive during the time of Jesus and the apostles.

Philosophical Influence

The Cynic philosophy, which Crates of Thebes espoused, emphasized living in accordance with nature, rejecting material wealth, and valuing virtue over societal conventions. This philosophy had a significant impact on the intellectual climate of the time and would have been part of the broader philosophical discourse encountered by early Christians. The apostle Paul, for instance, engaged with various philosophical ideas during his missionary journeys, as seen in Acts 17:18, where he converses with Epicurean and Stoic philosophers in Athens.

Biblical Parallels

While Crates himself is not mentioned in the Bible, the themes of Cynic philosophy can be seen in certain biblical teachings. For example, Jesus' teachings on the dangers of wealth and the call to live a life of simplicity and trust in God (Matthew 6:19-34) resonate with the Cynic ideal of rejecting materialism. Similarly, Paul's exhortation to be content in all circumstances (Philippians 4:11-13) reflects a mindset that values inner virtue over external possessions.

Christian Engagement with Philosophy

The early Christians were not isolated from the philosophical currents of their time. Instead, they often engaged with these ideas, sometimes finding common ground and at other times offering a distinctively Christian perspective. The apostle Paul, in particular, demonstrated a keen awareness of the philosophical landscape, using it as a bridge to communicate the gospel effectively. In 1 Corinthians 1:20, Paul challenges the wisdom of the world, asserting the superiority of God's wisdom: "Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?" .

Conclusion

While Crates is not a biblical figure, understanding the philosophical environment of the New Testament period, including the influence of Cynic philosophy, enriches our comprehension of the early Christian message and its interaction with contemporary thought. The teachings of Jesus and the apostles often intersected with and transcended the philosophical ideas of their time, offering a transformative vision rooted in the revelation of God through Christ.CRATES

kra'-tez (Krates), governor of the Cyprians, left as deputy of Sostratus when the latter, who was governor of Jerusalem, was summoned to Antioch by Antiochus Epiphanes, in consequence of a dispute with Menelaus (2 Maccabees 4:29). As Cyprus was not at the time in the possession of Antiochus, the words have been generally taken to mean Krates "who had formerly been, or afterward was, governor of the Cyprians." The Vulgate (Jerome's Latin Bible, 390-405 A.D.) translates the Greek into "Sostratus autem praelatus est Cypriis."

The Philosophy of the Christians More Ancient than that of the ...
... the Athenian, Megaclides and Cham??leon the Peripatetics; afterwards by the grammarians,
Zenodotus, Aristophanes, Callimachus, Crates, Eratosthenes, Aristarchus ...
/.../tatian/tatians address to the greeks/chapter xxxi the philosophy of the.htm

Succession of Philosophers in Greece.
... latter, Polemo. And the disciples of Polemo were Crates and Crantor, in
whom the old Academy founded by Plato ceased. Arcesilaus ...
/.../the stromata or miscellanies/chapter xiv succession of philosophers in.htm

Virtues of the Mantle. It Pleads in Its Own Defence.
... of effeminate boots! Well, but, than the Mantle nothing is more expedite,
even if it be double, like that of Crates. [64] Nowhere ...
/.../tertullian/on the pallium/chapter v virtues of the mantle.htm

A Wise Decision.
... steamers. It was interesting to see the piles of berry crates loaded upon
the steamer from the docks extending out into the lake. ...
/.../byrum/the value of a praying mother/chapter viii a wise decision.htm

Ridicule of the Philosophers.
... And who would give his approval to the cynogamy of Crates, and not rather, repudiating
the wild and tumid speech of those who resemble him, turn to the ...
/.../tatians address to the greeks/chapter iii ridicule of the philosophers.htm

Women as Well as Men Capable of Perfection.
... I also recollect a female Cynic,"she was called Hipparchia, a Maronite, the wife
of Crates,"in whose case the so-called dog-wedding was celebrated in the ...
/.../clement/the stromata or miscellanies/chap xix women as well as.htm

Letter Lviii. To Paulinus.
... When Crates the Theban"a millionaire of days gone by"was on his way to Athens to
study philosophy, he cast away untold gold in the belief that wealth could ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter lviii to paulinus.htm

We are Told by Mnaseas that the Muses are the Daughters of Tellus ...
... says that they are three [4032] in number; Mnaseas, whom we mentioned, that they
are four; [4033] Myrtilus [4034] brings forward seven; Crates asserts that ...
/.../arnobius/the seven books of arnobius against the heathen/37 we are told by.htm

In Regard to the Prophets among the Jews, Some of them were Wise ...
... reason teaches that such ought to be the character of the prophets of the Most High,
in comparison with which the firmness of Antisthenes, Crates, and Diogenes ...
/.../origen/origen against celsus/chapter vii in regard to.htm

In the Person of the Jew, Celsus Continues to Find Fault with ...
... is known to many among the Greeks from what is recorded of Democritus, who allowed
his property to become pasture for sheep; and of Crates, who obtained his ...
/.../origen/origen against celsus/chapter xli in the person.htm

Crates
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia CRATES. kra'-tez (Krates), governor of
the Cyprians, left as deputy of Sostratus when the latter ...
/c/crates.htm - 6k

Cyprus (12 Occurrences)
... We hear of a body of Cyprians, under the command of a certain Crates, serving among
the troops of Antiochus Epiphanes of Syria and forming part of the garrison ...
/c/cyprus.htm - 27k

Crashings (1 Occurrence)

/c/crashings.htm - 6k

Craunch (1 Occurrence)

/c/craunch.htm - 6k

Cyprians (1 Occurrence)
... "Menelaus left his own brother Lysimachus for his deputy in the high-priesthood;
and Sostratus left Crates, who was over the Cyprians." The Cyprians were the ...
/c/cyprians.htm - 7k

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