Patrobas
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Topical Encyclopedia
Patrobas is a biblical figure mentioned in the New Testament, specifically in the Apostle Paul's Epistle to the Romans. He is referenced in Romans 16:14, where Paul sends greetings to several believers in Rome: "Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the brothers with them" (Berean Standard Bible). This brief mention places Patrobas among a group of early Christians who were part of the Roman church, indicating his involvement in the early Christian community.

Historical Context

The Epistle to the Romans was written by Paul around A.D. 57 during his third missionary journey, likely from Corinth. The letter was intended to address both Jewish and Gentile believers in Rome, providing theological teachings and practical exhortations. The mention of Patrobas, along with others, highlights the diverse and interconnected nature of the early church, which included individuals from various backgrounds and regions.

Name and Cultural Significance

The name Patrobas is of Greek origin, derived from "Patrobios," meaning "life of the father" or "fatherly." This name suggests a Hellenistic cultural background, which was common in the cosmopolitan environment of the Roman Empire. The presence of a Greek name in the Roman church underscores the multicultural composition of the early Christian communities.

Role in the Early Church

While the Bible does not provide specific details about Patrobas's role or contributions, his inclusion in Paul's greetings suggests that he was a recognized member of the Christian community in Rome. The grouping of names in Romans 16:14, followed by the phrase "and the brothers with them," implies that these individuals may have been leaders or hosts of a house church. House churches were the primary setting for Christian worship and fellowship during this period, as believers gathered in private homes to pray, study Scripture, and partake in the Lord's Supper.

Theological Implications

The mention of Patrobas in Romans 16 reflects the unity and fellowship among early Christians, transcending cultural and social barriers. Paul's greetings to individuals like Patrobas demonstrate the personal connections and mutual support that characterized the early church. This passage also illustrates the importance of every believer, regardless of their prominence or the extent of their recorded contributions, in the body of Christ.

Legacy

Although Patrobas is not a prominent figure in biblical history, his inclusion in the Epistle to the Romans serves as a testament to the widespread and diverse nature of the early Christian movement. His mention by Paul highlights the interconnectedness of believers across the Roman Empire and the shared mission of spreading the Gospel. Patrobas, like many others in the early church, played a part in the foundational years of Christianity, contributing to the growth and establishment of the faith in a challenging and often hostile environment.
Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary
Patrobas

paternal; that pursues the steps of his father

Smith's Bible Dictionary
Patrobas

(paternal),a Christian at Rome to whom St. Paul sends his salutation. (Romans 16:14) Like many other names mentioned in Roma 16 this was borne by at least one member of the emperor's household. Suet. Galba. 20; Martial, Ep. ii. 32, 3. (A.D. 55.)

Easton's Bible Dictionary
A Christian at Rome to whom Paul sent salutations (Romans 16:14).
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
PATROBAS

pat'-ro-bas (Patrobas): The name of a member of the Christian community at Rome to whom Paul sent greetings (Romans 16:14). The name is an abbreviated form of "Patrobius." There was a wealthy freedman of Nero of the same name who was put to death by Galba (Tacitus, History i0.49; ii.95). The Patrobas of Paul may have been a dependent of his.

Greek
3969. Patrobas -- "father's life," Patrobas, a Christian
... 3968, 3969. Patrobas. 3970 . "father's life," Patrobas, a Christian.
Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: Patrobas ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3969.htm - 6k
Library

Hermas
... Hermas [2386] [2387] whom the apostle Paul mentions in writing to the Romans "Salute
[2388] Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas [2389] and the brethren that are ...
/.../various/jerome and gennadius lives of illustrious men /chapter x hermas.htm

The Same Hippolytus on the Seventy Apostles.
... [But St. Mark's body is said to be in Venice.]. [2033] Magus. [2034] Romans
16:14, Patrobas. [2035] In the manuscript there is a lacuna here. ...
/.../the extant works and fragments of hippolytus/the same hippolytus on the.htm

The Historical Books of the New Testament, Meaning Thereby the ...
... conclusion of the epistle to the Romans, Saint Paul, amongst others, sends the
following salutation: "Salute Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermas, Patrobas, Hermes, and ...
/.../paley/evidences of christianity/section i the historical books.htm

Rom. xvi. 5
... great virtue. Ver.14. "Salute Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermas, Patrobas, Hermes,
and the brethren which are with them.". Here do not ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xxxi rom xvi 5.htm

The Collection for St Paul: the Farewell
... afford a curiously large number of coincidences with the list in Romans 16./i> . . .
Amplias, Urbanus, Apelles, Tryphaena, Tryphosa, Patrobas, Philologus. . . ...
/.../moule/philippian studies/chapter xii the collection for.htm

The Epistle to the Romans
... Roman names; and (2) besides the first four of these names, "ten others, Stachys,
Apelles, Tryphaena, Tryphosa, Hermes, Hernias, Patrobas (or (Patrobius ...
/.../drummond/introduction to the new testament/the epistle to the romans.htm

Thesaurus
Patrobas (1 Occurrence)
...PATROBAS. pat'-ro-bas (Patrobas): The name of a member of the Christian community
at Rome to whom Paul sent greetings (Romans 16:14). ...Patrobas (1 Occurrence). ...
/p/patrobas.htm - 7k

Pat'robas (1 Occurrence)
Pat'robas. Patrobas, Pat'robas. Patroclus . ... Romans 16:14 salute Asyncritus,
Phlegon, Hermas, Patrobas, Hermes, and the brethren with them; (See RSV). ...
/p/pat'robas.htm - 6k

Patrimony (1 Occurrence)

/p/patrimony.htm - 9k

Greetings (48 Occurrences)
... (WEY). Romans 16:14 Greetings to Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas,
and to the brethren associated with them; (WEY). Romans ...
/g/greetings.htm - 18k

Greet (46 Occurrences)
... (WEB WEY NAS RSV NIV). Romans 16:14 Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas,
Hermas, and the brothers who are with them. (WEB WEY NAS RSV NIV). ...
/g/greet.htm - 19k

Phlegon (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Phlegon (1 Occurrence). Romans 16:14 Greet Asyncritus,
Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the brothers who are with them. ...
/p/phlegon.htm - 7k

Asyncritus (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Asyncritus (1 Occurrence). Romans 16:14 Greet Asyncritus,
Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the brothers who are with them. ...
/a/asyncritus.htm - 7k

Asyn'critus (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Asyn'critus (1 Occurrence). Romans 16:14 salute Asyncritus,
Phlegon, Hermas, Patrobas, Hermes, and the brethren with them; (See RSV). ...
/a/asyn'critus.htm - 6k

Associated (9 Occurrences)
... (WEY). Romans 16:14 Greetings to Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas,
and to the brethren associated with them; (WEY). Romans ...
/a/associated.htm - 9k

Salute (48 Occurrences)
... (KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT). Romans 16:14 Salute Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermas, Patrobas,
Hermes, and the brethren which are with them. (KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT). ...
/s/salute.htm - 19k

Resources
Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Concordance
Patrobas (1 Occurrence)

Romans 16:14
Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the brothers who are with them.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV)

Subtopics

Patrobas

Patrobas: A Believer at Rome

Related Terms

Patrobas (1 Occurrence)

Patroclus

Patriotism: Uriah
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