Topical Encyclopedia An amanuensis is a person employed to write or type what another dictates or to copy what has been written by another. In biblical times, the role of an amanuensis was significant, especially in the context of the composition and transmission of Scripture. The use of an amanuensis is evident in several passages of the New Testament, where authors employed scribes to pen their letters.Romans 16:22 "I, Tertius, who wrote down this letter, greet you in the Lord." In this verse, Tertius identifies himself as the amanuensis for the Apostle Paul in the writing of the Epistle to the Romans. This indicates that while Paul was the author, Tertius was responsible for the physical act of writing the letter. 1 Corinthians 16:21 "This greeting is in my own hand—Paul." Here, Paul notes that he is writing the greeting in his own hand, suggesting that the rest of the letter may have been written by an amanuensis. This practice was common to authenticate the letter and to add a personal touch from the author. Galatians 6:11 "See what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand!" Paul emphasizes his personal involvement in writing this portion of the letter, possibly indicating that an amanuensis wrote the earlier sections. The mention of "large letters" may suggest a change in handwriting style, further supporting the use of a scribe. Colossians 4:18 "This greeting is in my own hand—Paul. Remember my chains. Grace be with you." Similar to other epistles, Paul concludes with a personal note written in his own hand, implying that an amanuensis assisted with the main body of the letter. 2 Thessalonians 3:17 "I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand, which is the distinguishing mark in every letter; this is how I write." Paul highlights his practice of adding a personal handwritten greeting to authenticate his letters, suggesting the involvement of an amanuensis in the rest of the writing process. Jeremiah 36:4 "Then Jeremiah called Baruch son of Neriah, and while Jeremiah dictated all the words the LORD had spoken to him, Baruch wrote them on a scroll." In the Old Testament, the prophet Jeremiah used Baruch as his scribe to record the words of the Lord. This illustrates the longstanding tradition of employing scribes to document divine revelations. The use of an amanuensis in biblical times underscores the collaborative nature of scriptural composition and the importance of accurate transmission of the inspired word. The practice allowed for the efficient dissemination of teachings and ensured that the messages of the apostles and prophets were preserved for future generations. Nave's Topical Index Jeremiah 36:4Then Jeremiah called Baruch the son of Neriah: and Baruch wrote from the mouth of Jeremiah all the words of the LORD, which he had spoken to him, on a roll of a book. Nave's Topical Index Jeremiah 45:1 Library On the Sufficiency and Perfection of the Holy Scriptures In On the Authority and Certainty of the Sacred Scriptures Letter iv. You Reply to the Conclusion of My Letter: "What have we ... Introductory Note. The Epistles of Paul. Preface by the Editor. Footnotes The Earliest Christian Preaching The Historical Books. 1 the New Testament... John. Resources Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus |
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