Sopater
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Sopater is a biblical figure mentioned in the New Testament, specifically in the Book of Acts. He is identified as one of the companions of the Apostle Paul during his missionary journeys. Sopater's presence in the biblical narrative highlights the diverse group of early Christians who played significant roles in the spread of the Gospel.

Biblical References

Sopater is mentioned in Acts 20:4, which states: "He was accompanied by Sopater, son of Pyrrhus from Berea, Aristarchus and Secundus from Thessalonica, Gaius from Derbe, Timothy, and Tychicus and Trophimus from the province of Asia." This passage places Sopater among a group of men who traveled with Paul as he made his way through Macedonia and Greece, ultimately heading towards Jerusalem.

Background and Context

Sopater is described as being from Berea, a city in Macedonia. Berea is noted in Acts 17:10-12 for its noble character, as the Bereans were commended for their eagerness to receive the message of the Gospel and their diligence in examining the Scriptures daily to verify Paul's teachings. This background suggests that Sopater was likely a man of strong faith and commitment to the teachings of Christ.

The mention of Sopater as the "son of Pyrrhus" provides a familial connection, although little else is known about his family or personal history. The inclusion of his father's name may indicate a family of some standing or recognition within the Berean community.

Role in Paul's Ministry

Sopater's role as a companion of Paul underscores the collaborative nature of early Christian missions. Traveling with Paul would have involved significant challenges, including long journeys, potential persecution, and the responsibility of supporting the apostle in his ministry. Sopater's willingness to accompany Paul suggests a deep commitment to the mission of spreading the Gospel and supporting the early Church.

The group of men listed in Acts 20:4, including Sopater, were likely tasked with delivering the collection for the saints in Jerusalem, a significant act of charity and unity among the early Christian communities. This mission was crucial in fostering a sense of solidarity and mutual support among believers from different regions.

Theological Significance

Sopater's inclusion in the biblical narrative, though brief, serves as a testament to the diverse and interconnected nature of the early Church. His presence among Paul's companions highlights the importance of laypersons in the mission of the Church and the spread of the Gospel. Sopater represents the many unnamed and lesser-known individuals who played vital roles in the establishment and growth of the Christian faith.

In summary, Sopater of Berea is a figure who, though mentioned only once in the New Testament, exemplifies the dedication and collaborative spirit of the early Christian community. His journey with Paul and the other companions reflects the unity and shared purpose that characterized the early Church's mission to proclaim the Gospel to all nations.
Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary
Sopater

Sosipater, who defends the father

Smith's Bible Dictionary
Sopater

(saviour of his father), son or Pyrrhus or Berea, was one of the companions of St. Paul on his return from Greece into Asia. (Acts 20:4) (A.D. 55.)

ATS Bible Dictionary
Sopater

A Berean Christian, and one of those who attended Paul from Greece into Asia Minor, Acts 20:4. He is supposed to have been the kinsman of Paul called Sosipater in Romans 16:21.

Easton's Bible Dictionary
The father who saves, probably the same as Sosipater, a kinsman of Paul (Romans 16:21), a Christian of the city of Berea who accompanied Paul into Asia (Acts 20:4-6).
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
SOPATER

so'-pa-ter, sop'-a-ter (Sopatros): the Revised Version (British and American) the son of Pyrrhus; the King James Version omits. A man of Berea who is mentioned with some Thessalonians and others as accompanying Paul as far as Asia on his return to Jerusalem after his 3rd missionary journey (Acts 20:4). He is probably the same as the "Sosipater" of Romans 16:21.

Greek
4986. Sopatros -- "of a safe father," Sopater, a Christian from ...
... 4985, 4986. Sopatros. 4987 . "of a safe father," Sopater, a Christian from
Berea. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: Sopatros Phonetic Spelling ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4986.htm - 6k
Library

Refutation of the Assertion that Constantine Became a Christian in ...
... his nearest relations, and particularly after assenting to the murder of his own
son Crispus, repented of his evil deeds, and inquired of Sopater, [1077] the ...
/.../chapter v refutation of the assertion.htm

Sources.
... With the fragments in M?�ller, Fragm.4 (1868), 11-56, is included also
(14-15) a fragment from the Vita ??des., relating to Sopater. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/pamphilius/the life of constantine/section 2 sources.htm

Paul's Last Journey to Jerusalem
... Accompanying Paul and Luke were "Sopater of Berea; and of the Thessalonians,
Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timotheus; and of Asia, Tychicus ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 37 pauls last journey.htm

Acts xx. 1
... "And there accompanied him into Asia Sopater of Berea; and of the Thessalonians,
Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timotheus; and of Asia ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xliii acts xx 1.htm

The First Successors of the Apostles.
... 29; xx. 4; xxvii. 2); Sopater, Secundus, Gaius of Derbe (perhaps the same as the
Gaius of Macedonia?), and Tychichus (xx. 4); Trophimus (xx. 4; xxi. 29). ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter iv the first successors of.htm

The Exile at Cucusus
... which he could extend to the illustrious exile. Sopater, the governor, waited
on him like a son. At first it seemed as if the tranquillity ...
/.../chapter lxvii the exile at.htm

Paul's Epistles; his Collection for the Poor Saints at Jerusalem ...
... [132:3] The number of the deputies appears to have been seven, namely, "Sopater
of Berea; and of the Thessalonians, Aristech's and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe ...
/.../killen/the ancient church/chapter ix pauls epistles his.htm

The Council of Tyre and First Exile of Athanasius, 335-337.
... lc), these dates are untrustworthy. [50] The philosopher Sopater had been put
to death on a similar charge a few years before, DCB i. 631. ...
/.../athanasius/select works and letters or athanasius/section 5 the council of.htm

Acts XX
... 4, 5. (4) "And there accompanied him, as far as Asia, Sopater of Berea; Aristarchus
and Secundus of Thessalonica; Gaius of Derbe, and Timothy; and Tychicus and ...
/.../mcgarvey/a commentary on acts of the apostles/acts xx.htm

Meditations of the True Manner of Practising Piety on the Sabbath ...
... Paul, together with seven of the chief evangelists of the church, Sopater, Aristarchus,
Secundus, Gaius, Timotheus, Tychicus, and Trophimus (Acts 20:4, 5, &c ...
/.../bayly/the practice of piety/meditations of the true manner.htm

Thesaurus
Sopater (1 Occurrence)
...SOPATER. so'-pa-ter, sop'-a-ter (Sopatros): the Revised Version (British and American)
the son of Pyrrhus; the King James Version omits. ...Sopater (1 Occurrence). ...
/s/sopater.htm - 7k

Sosipater (1 Occurrence)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary (see SOPATER.). Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
SOSIPATER. ... It is the same name as SOPATER (which see). ...
/s/sosipater.htm - 7k

Trophimus (3 Occurrences)
... The eight were Sopater of Berea, Aristarchus and Secundus, both from Thessalonica,
Gaius of Derbe, Timothy, Tychicus and Trophimus, both "Asians," and lastly ...
/t/trophimus.htm - 15k

Pyrrhus (1 Occurrence)
... Purros, "fiery-red"): The name is inserted in the text of the Revised Version (British
and American) in Acts 20:4 as that of the father of SOPATER (which see). ...
/p/pyrrhus.htm - 7k

Beroea (4 Occurrences)
... Perhaps the Sopater of Berea who accompanied Paul to Asia on his last journey to
Jerusalem was one of his converts on this visit (Acts 20:4). Berea, which was ...
/b/beroea.htm - 11k

Berea (4 Occurrences)
...Sopater, one of Paul's companions belonged to this city, and his conversion probably
took place at this time (Acts 20:4). It is now called Verria. Int. ...
/b/berea.htm - 8k

Sop'ater (1 Occurrence)
Sop'ater. Sopater, Sop'ater. Sope . Multi-Version Concordance Sop'ater
(1 Occurrence). ... Sopater, Sop'ater. Sope . Reference Bible.
/s/sop'ater.htm - 6k

Sop (3 Occurrences)

/s/sop.htm - 8k

Gaius (5 Occurrences)
... Acts 20:4 These accompanied him as far as Asia: Sopater of Beroea; Aristarchus and
Secundus of the Thessalonians; Gaius of Derbe; Timothy; and Tychicus and ...
/g/gaius.htm - 10k

Ga'ius (5 Occurrences)
... Acts 20:4 These accompanied him as far as Asia: Sopater of Beroea; Aristarchus and
Secundus of the Thessalonians; Gaius of Derbe; Timothy; and Tychicus and ...
/g/ga'ius.htm - 7k

Resources
Who were the Bereans in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

What happened on Paul's third missionary journey? | GotQuestions.org

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Concordance
Sopater (1 Occurrence)

Acts 20:4
These accompanied him as far as Asia: Sopater of Beroea; Aristarchus and Secundus of the Thessalonians; Gaius of Derbe; Timothy; and Tychicus and Trophimus of Asia.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV)

Subtopics

Sopater

Sopater: A Christian of Berea

Related Terms

Sopater (1 Occurrence)

Sope

Sop
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