In the New Testament, the term "fellow-prisoners" refers to individuals who were imprisoned alongside the Apostle Paul due to their faith and ministry in Jesus Christ. These individuals are mentioned in Paul's epistles, highlighting the shared suffering and commitment to the Gospel that characterized the early Christian community.

Biblical References:

1. Romans 16:7 · "Greet Andronicus and Junia, my fellow countrymen and fellow prisoners. They are outstanding among the apostles, and they were in Christ before I was."
In this passage, Paul acknowledges Andronicus and Junia as fellow prisoners, indicating that they were not only his relatives but also shared in the hardships of imprisonment for the sake of the Gospel. Their mention as being "outstanding among the apostles" suggests their significant role and reputation within the early Church.

2. Colossians 4:10 · "My fellow prisoner Aristarchus sends you greetings, as does Mark, the cousin of Barnabas. (You have received instructions about him; if he comes to you, welcome him.)"
Aristarchus is identified as a fellow prisoner with Paul, demonstrating the close bond and mutual support among those who were persecuted for their faith. Aristarchus, a Macedonian from Thessalonica, is noted elsewhere in Acts as a companion of Paul, further emphasizing his dedication to the missionary work.

3. Philemon 1:23 · "Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends you greetings."
Epaphras is another individual who is described as a fellow prisoner. His imprisonment alongside Paul underscores the reality that many early Christians faced persecution and imprisonment as a consequence of their evangelistic efforts and steadfastness in the faith.

Theological Significance:

The mention of fellow prisoners in Paul's letters serves as a testament to the communal nature of early Christian suffering and perseverance. These individuals exemplify the willingness to endure hardship for the sake of Christ, reflecting the teachings of Jesus about taking up one's cross (Matthew 16:24). Their experiences highlight the cost of discipleship and the reality of persecution faced by the early Church.

The concept of fellow prisoners also illustrates the deep bonds of fellowship and solidarity among believers. Despite the physical confines of imprisonment, these individuals remained active participants in the life of the Church, offering greetings, encouragement, and maintaining their witness to the faith. Their accounts serve as an inspiration for Christians to remain steadfast in trials and to support one another in the face of adversity.

Historical Context:

Imprisonment was a common consequence for those who actively spread the Christian message in the Roman Empire. The Roman authorities often viewed the burgeoning Christian movement with suspicion, leading to arrests and detentions. The accounts of fellow prisoners provide insight into the challenges faced by early Christians and the resilience required to maintain their mission in a hostile environment.

In summary, the fellow prisoners mentioned in the New Testament are emblematic of the early Church's struggles and triumphs. Their inclusion in Paul's letters not only honors their sacrifices but also serves as a reminder of the enduring power of faith and community in the face of persecution.4869. sunaichmalotos -- a fellow prisoner
... Word Origin from sun and aichmalotos Definition a fellow prisoner NASB Word Usage
fellow prisoner (2), fellow prisoners (1). fellow prisoner. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4869.htm - 6k

The Life of Mr. Hugh M'kail.
... in prayer and praise, to the admiration of all the hearers, especially on Thursday's
night, when, being set at supper with his fellow-prisoners, his father and ...
/.../howie/biographia scoticana scots worthies/the life of mr hugh 2.htm

Rom. xvi. 5
... And what follows is much more so. And what sort is this of? "And my fellow-prisoners."
For this is the greatest honor, the noble proclamation. ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xxxi rom xvi 5.htm

The Interior Castle, or The Mansions
... February 24, 1921. DEDICATED TO The Martyred Daughters of St. Teresa, The Blessed
Martyrs of Compiegne, France, by the Descendants of Their Fellow Prisoners. ...
/.../teresa/the interior castle or the mansions/title page.htm

The Gods of the Different Nations Varro's Gentile Class. Their ...
... prison. There he displays the power of his divine inspiration, by interpreting
aright the dreams of some (fellow-prisoners). Meanwhile ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/tertullian/ad nationes/chapter viii the gods of the.htm

Back to Memphis
... desert of the eastern Thebaid. He spoke seldom, and held himself aloof
from his fellow prisoners. He regarded his taskmasters as ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xxxiii back to memphis.htm

The Holy City; Or, the New Jerusalem:
... It happened one morning that it came to the turn of a poor itinerant tinker, of
extraordinary ability, to address his fellow-prisoners-he had neither written ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the holy city or the.htm

God's Promises Tests
... or fulfilment, was either his boyish narrative of the dreams that foreshadowed his
exaltation, or less probably, his words to his fellow-prisoners in the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture j/gods promises tests.htm

Christians Slain by Sapor in Persia.
... a hundred, Symeon himself was slain; and Abedechalaas and Anannias, two aged presbyters
of his own church, who had been his fellow-prisoners, suffered with him ...
/.../the ecclesiastical history of sozomenus/chapter x christians slain by sapor.htm

What Things Befell Joseph in Prison.
... Now, as his fellow prisoners, when their hard labors were over, fell to discoursing
one among another, as is usual in such as are equal sufferers, and to ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 5 what things befell.htm

Goodness in a Dungeon
... and a gate of heaven. Joseph's relations to jailer and fellow-prisoners
are beautiful and instructive. The former is called 'the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/goodness in a dungeon.htm

Fellow-prisoners (1 Occurrence)
Fellow-prisoners. Fellow-prisoner, Fellow-prisoners. Fellows .
Multi-Version Concordance Fellow-prisoners (1 Occurrence). ...
/f/fellow-prisoners.htm - 6k

Fellows (30 Occurrences)

/f/fellows.htm - 16k

Kinsmen (74 Occurrences)
... Romans 16:7 Salute Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen, and my fellow-prisoners, who
are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me. ...
/k/kinsmen.htm - 28k

Notable (7 Occurrences)
... Romans 16:7 Greet Andronicus and Junias, my relatives and my fellowprisoners, who
are notable among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me. (WEB). ...
/n/notable.htm - 10k

Outstanding (7 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). Romans 16:7 Greet Andronicus and Junias, my relatives and my fellow
prisoners, who are notable among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me. ...
/o/outstanding.htm - 8k

Ju'nias (1 Occurrence)
... Romans 16:7 Greet Andronicus and Junias, my relatives and my fellowprisoners, who
are notable among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me. (See RSV). ...
/j/ju'nias.htm - 6k

Junia (1 Occurrence)
... Romans 16:7 Greet Andronicus and Junias, my relatives and my fellowprisoners, who
are notable among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me. ...
/j/junia.htm - 6k

Jumping (14 Occurrences)
... Paul defines the two as (1) "my kinsmen," (2) "my fellow-prisoners," (3) "who are
of note among the apostles," and (4) "who also have been in Christ before me ...
/j/jumping.htm - 12k

Junias (1 Occurrence)
... Romans 16:7 Greet Andronicus and Junias, my relatives and my fellowprisoners, who
are notable among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me. ...
/j/junias.htm - 6k

Greet (46 Occurrences)
... Romans 16:7 Greet Andronicus and Junias, my relatives and my fellowprisoners, who
are notable among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me. ...
/g/greet.htm - 19k

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