Crescens is a relatively obscure figure mentioned in the New Testament, specifically in the Pauline Epistles. His name appears in the Apostle Paul's second letter to Timothy, which is traditionally considered one of the Pastoral Epistles. The reference to Crescens is brief, yet it provides insight into the early Christian missionary efforts and the network of Paul's associates.

Biblical Reference:

Crescens is mentioned in 2 Timothy 4:10: "for Demas, in love with this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia."

Context and Role:

In this passage, Paul is writing to Timothy from prison, likely in Rome, during a time when he is facing his impending martyrdom. The letter is filled with personal notes and instructions, reflecting Paul's concern for the churches and his close companions. Crescens is listed among those who have left Paul, but unlike Demas, who is noted for deserting Paul out of love for the world, Crescens is simply mentioned as having gone to Galatia. This suggests that Crescens' departure was not out of disloyalty but rather part of the missionary work and the spread of the Gospel.

Missionary Activity:

The mention of Galatia indicates that Crescens was involved in the mission to this region, which was a significant area for early Christian evangelism. Galatia, located in what is now modern-day Turkey, was a region where Paul had previously established churches during his missionary journeys (Acts 16:6, Galatians 1:2). Crescens' journey to Galatia implies that he was entrusted with the responsibility of nurturing and possibly expanding the Christian communities there.

Historical and Traditional Insights:

While the New Testament provides limited information about Crescens, early Christian tradition offers some additional insights, though these are not universally accepted or verified. Some traditions suggest that Crescens later became a bishop in Galatia or even in Vienna (modern-day Vienne in France), though these accounts are not substantiated by the biblical text.

Significance:

Crescens' mention, though brief, highlights the collaborative nature of early Christian ministry. Paul relied on a network of faithful companions to carry out the work of the Gospel across the Roman Empire. Crescens' role, as inferred from the text, underscores the importance of steadfastness and dedication in the mission field, contrasting with the negative example of Demas.

In summary, Crescens serves as a reminder of the many unsung heroes of the early Church who played crucial roles in the spread of Christianity, working diligently and faithfully alongside the more prominent figures like Paul and Timothy.Crescens

growing; increasing

Crescens

(growing), (2 Timothy 4:10) an assistant of St. Paul, said to have been one of the seventy disciples.

Crescens

An assistant of the apostle Paul, and probably one of the seventy disciples; supposed to have exercised his ministry in Galatia, 2 Timothy 4:10.

Increasing, probably one of the seventy disciples of Christ. He was one of Paul's assistants (2 Timothy 4:10), probably a Christian of Rome. CRESCENS

kres'-enz (Kreskes, "increasing"): An assistant of Paul, mentioned in 2 Timothy 4:10 as having gone to Galatia. That he was one of the Seventy, and that he founded the church in Vienna in Gaul, are traditions without any trustworthy basis.

2913. Kreskes -- Crescens, a Christian
... Crescens, a Christian. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: Kreskes
Phonetic Spelling: (krace'-kace) Short Definition: Crescens Definition: Crescens ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2913.htm - 6k

Crescens of Cirta Said: "The Letters of Our Most Beloved Cyprian ...
... Book VI. Chapter 15. " 24. Crescens of Cirta said: "The letters of
our most beloved Cyprian to Jubaianus? "24. Crescens of ...
/.../chapter 15 24 crescens.htm

Justin Accuses Crescens of Ignorant Prejudice against the ...
... Chapter III."Justin accuses Crescens of ignorant prejudice against the
Christians. I too, therefore, expect to be plotted against ...
/.../chapter iii justin accuses crescens of.htm

Justin the Philosopher Preaches the Word of Christ in Rome and ...
... of our doctrines to the rulers already named, [1170] was crowned with divine martyrdom,
[1171] in consequence of a plot laid against him by Crescens, [1172] a ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter xvi justin the philosopher preaches.htm

General Division of the Following Discourse, with Regard to Pagan ...
... death, resided, made converts, and suffered martyrdom at Rome, where he was engaged
with philosophers, and in a particular manner with Crescens the Cynic, who ...
/.../sect i general division of.htm

Justin
... He, when he had held diatribas in the city of Rome, and had convicted Crescens the
cynic, who said many blasphemous things against the Christians, of gluttony ...
/.../various/jerome and gennadius lives of illustrious men /chapter xxiii justin.htm

The Passion of St. Symphorosa and Her Seven Sons.
... And he ordered Crescens, the first, to be transfixed in the throat; and Julian,
the second, to be stabbed in the breast; and Nemesius, the third, to be struck ...
/.../africanus/the writings of julius africanus/iv the passion of st symphorosa.htm

2 Timothy iv. 13-Sep
... "Do thy diligence to come shortly unto me: For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved
this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia ...
/.../homily x 2 timothy iv.htm

Introductory Note to the Martyrdom of Justin Martyr
... Martyr. Crescens, a cynic, has the ill-renown of stirring up the persecution
in which Justin and his friends suffered for Christ. ...
/.../introductory note to the martyrdom.htm

Tatian.
... Coliseum, 75. Constellations, origin of, 69. Corates, 66. Creation, 67. Crescens,
loathsome character of, 73. persecutes Justin, 73. Cretans, always liars, 76. ...
/.../clement/who is the rich man that shall be saved/tatian.htm

Landmarks in the History of Early Christianity
... 105 Corinthians, First Epistle to, 63, 89, 90 Epistles to, 98 Cornelius, 58, 59,
87 Cornutus, 123, 124, 128 Councils, local, 6 Creation, 84 Crescens, 127 Cross ...
/.../lake/landmarks in the history of early christianity/index 2.htm

Crescens (1 Occurrence)
...CRESCENS. kres'-enz (Kreskes, "increasing"): An assistant of Paul, mentioned in
2 Timothy 4:10 as having gone to Galatia. ...Crescens (1 Occurrence). ...
/c/crescens.htm - 7k

Crescent (2 Occurrences)

/c/crescent.htm - 8k

Titus (15 Occurrences)
... This throws light upon the statement in 2 Timothy 4:10, that Titus at that
time had gone to Dalmatia, and a certain Crescens to Gaul. ...
/t/titus.htm - 29k

Galatia (6 Occurrences)
... 23). Crescens was sent thither by Paul toward the close of his life (2 Timothy
4:10). Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. GALATIA. ga ...
/g/galatia.htm - 23k

Latin (2 Occurrences)
... There are Latin words in the New Testament: In particular Latin proper names like
Aquila, Cornelius, Claudia, Clemens, Crescens, Crispus, Fortunatus, Julia ...
/l/latin.htm - 28k

Forsaken (110 Occurrences)
... 2 Timothy 4:10 For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and
is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia. ...
/f/forsaken.htm - 40k

Forsook (37 Occurrences)
... (ASV). 2 Timothy 4:10 for Demas forsook me, having loved this present world, and
went to Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia. (ASV YLT). ...
/f/forsook.htm - 17k

Thessaloni'ca (7 Occurrences)
... 2 Timothy 4:10 for Demas forsook me, having loved the present age, and went on to
Thessalonica, Crescens to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia, (See RSV). ...
/t/thessaloni'ca.htm - 8k

Demas (3 Occurrences)
... 2 Timothy 4:10 for Demas left me, having loved this present world, and went
to Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia. ...
/d/demas.htm - 8k

Dalmatia (1 Occurrence)
... 2 Timothy 4:10 for Demas left me, having loved this present world, and went
to Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia. ...
/d/dalmatia.htm - 8k

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