Tertius
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Tertius is a figure mentioned in the New Testament of the Bible, specifically in the Epistle to the Romans. His role, though brief, is significant in the context of early Christian history and the dissemination of apostolic teachings.

Biblical Reference:

Tertius is mentioned in Romans 16:22, where he identifies himself as the scribe who wrote down the letter to the Romans on behalf of the Apostle Paul. The verse states: "I, Tertius, who wrote down this letter, greet you in the Lord." . This indicates that Tertius served as an amanuensis, a common practice in the ancient world where a scribe would transcribe the words of a speaker or author.

Role and Significance:

The role of Tertius as a scribe highlights the collaborative nature of early Christian ministry and the practical aspects of letter writing in the first century. The use of an amanuensis was not unusual, as it allowed the author to dictate their thoughts while the scribe ensured the accurate recording and transmission of the message. This practice was particularly useful for someone like Paul, who was often traveling or imprisoned.

Tertius's greeting in the letter suggests that he was a believer and part of the Christian community, likely in Corinth, where Paul is believed to have written Romans. His inclusion in the letter indicates that he was known to the recipients or that Paul wanted to acknowledge his contribution to the epistle.

Historical Context:

The Epistle to the Romans is one of the most theologically rich and influential letters in the New Testament. It addresses key doctrines such as justification by faith, the role of the law, and the relationship between Jews and Gentiles in God's plan of salvation. The letter was intended for the Christian community in Rome, a diverse group comprising both Jewish and Gentile believers.

The mention of Tertius provides insight into the early Christian practice of letter writing and the networks of believers who supported the apostles in their mission. It also reflects the communal nature of the early Church, where various members contributed to the spread of the Gospel through different roles and gifts.

Theological Implications:

Tertius's role as a scribe underscores the importance of preserving and accurately transmitting the teachings of the apostles. The integrity of the biblical text is foundational to Christian doctrine, and the work of individuals like Tertius ensured that the inspired words of the apostles were faithfully recorded and shared with the broader Christian community.

In acknowledging Tertius, Paul demonstrates the value of every member's contribution to the body of Christ, regardless of their role. This aligns with the broader New Testament teaching on the diversity of gifts within the Church and the unity of believers in their shared mission.

Conclusion:

While Tertius is only briefly mentioned in the New Testament, his contribution to the Epistle to the Romans is a testament to the collaborative efforts of the early Church in spreading the Gospel. His role as a scribe highlights the practical and communal aspects of early Christian ministry, as well as the importance of preserving apostolic teachings for future generations.
Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary
Tertius

third

Smith's Bible Dictionary
Tertius

(third), probably a Roman, was the amanuensis of Paul in writing the Epistle to the Romans. (Romans 16:22) (A.D. 55.)

ATS Bible Dictionary
Tertius

A Christian whom Paul employed as his amanuensis in writing the epistle to the Romans, Romans 16:22.

Easton's Bible Dictionary
The third, a Roman Christian whom Paul employed as his amanuensis in writing his epistle to the Romans (16:22).
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
TERTIUS

tur'-shi-us (Tertios): The amanuensis of Paul who wrote at his dictation the Epistle to the Romans. In the midst of Paul's greetings to the Christians in Rome he interpolated his own, "I Tertius, who write the epistle, salute you in the Lord" (Romans 16:22). "It is as a Christian, not in virtue of any other relation he has to the Romans, that Tertius salutes them" (Denney). Some identify him with Silas, owing to the fact that shalish is the Hebrew for "third (officer)," as tertius is the Latin Others think he was a Roman Christian residing in Corinth. This is, however, merely conjecture. Paul seems to have dictated his letters to an amanuensis, adding by his own hand merely the concluding sentences as "the token in every epistle" (2 Thessalonians 3:17 Colossians 4:18 1 Corinthians 16:21). How far this may have influenced the style of his letters is discussed in Sanday-Headlam, Romans, Introduction, LX.

S. F. Hunter

Greek
5060. Tertios -- "third," Tertius, a Christian to whom Paul ...
... "third," Tertius, a ... Word Origin of Latin origin Definition "third," Tertius, a Christian
to whom Paul dictated Romans NASB Word Usage Tertius (1). Tertius. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5060.htm - 6k
Library

Tertius
... ROMANS TERTIUS. 'I, Tertius, who write the epistle, salute you in the
Lord.'"Romans 16:22 (RV). One sometimes sees in old religious ...
/.../maclaren/romans corinthians to ii corinthians chap v/tertius.htm

Quartus a Brother
... Then follows a loving greeting from Paul's amanuensis, who, naturally, as the pen
is in his own hand, says: 'I, Tertius, who wrote this epistle, salute you in ...
/.../maclaren/romans corinthians to ii corinthians chap v/quartus a brother.htm

Romans, Corinthians (To II Corinthians, Chap. V)
... TWO HOUSEHOLDS. TRYPHENA AND TRYPHOSA. PERSIS. A CRUSHED SNAKE. TERTIUS. QUARTUS
A BROTHER. CORINTHIANS (To II Corinthians, Chap. V). CONTENTS. I. CORINTHIANS. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/romans corinthians to ii corinthians chap v/

What Peace Means
... by. HENRY VAN DYKE. New York Chicago Fleming H. Revell Company London and Edinburgh.
1919. To My Son in the Faith My Brother in the Work Tertius van Dyke. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/van dyke/what peace means/title page.htm

Argument. --When the Saints were Apprehended, St. Perpetua ...
... There were present there Tertius and Pomponius, the blessed deacons who ministered
to us, and had arranged by means of a gratuity that we might be refreshed by ...
/.../chapter i argument when the saints were.htm

Contents
... TRYPHENA AND TRYPHOSA (Romans 16:12). PERSIS (Romans 16:12). A CRUSHED SNAKE (Romans
16:20). TERTIUS (Romans 16:22, RV). QUARTUS A BROTHER (Romans 16:23). ...
/.../maclaren/romans corinthians to ii corinthians chap v/contents.htm

The Same Hippolytus on the Seventy Apostles.
... 45. Jason, bishop of Tarsus. 46. Sosipater, bishop of Iconium. 47. Tertius, bishop
of Iconium. 48. Erastus, bishop of Panellas. 49. Quartus, bishop of Berytus. ...
/.../the extant works and fragments of hippolytus/the same hippolytus on the.htm

Verba Christi Matt. xviii. 20, Mystice Exponit.
... tulit: at prophetans, et Jeremiam mittens Babylonem, quinetiam cos qui erant ex
gentibus vocans per prophetiam, congregavit duos populos: tertius autem est unus ...
/.../clement/the stromata or miscellanies/caput x verba christi matt xviii.htm

Preface
... Robert C. Pruyn Thomas F. Davies Miles Farrow William F. Faber Walter Henry Hall
James W. Ashton Horatio Parker Charles Lewis Slattery T. Tertius Noble Frank ...
/.../various/the hymnal of the protestant episcopal church in the usa/preface.htm

Editions and Manuscripts.
... Grecs) as of the Xth c., the Colbertinus (4529) and the Regius Tertius(2893) as
of the XI^th c., and the Regius Primus (2286), Regius Quartus (2896), Regius ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/x editions and manuscripts.htm

Thesaurus
Tertius (1 Occurrence)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. TERTIUS. ... "It is as a Christian, not in virtue of
any other relation he has to the Romans, that Tertius salutes them" (Denney). ...
/t/tertius.htm - 8k

Tertullus (2 Occurrences)
... A modification of "Tertius;" a Roman advocate, whom the Jews employed to state their
case against Paul in the presence of Felix (Acts 24:1-9). The charges he ...
/t/tertullus.htm - 9k

Justus (3 Occurrences)
... Tischendorf, Codex Vaticanus, Codex Bezae, give "Titius Justus"; Cheyne (EB, under
the word "Justus") thinks these forms a corruption of "Tertius Justus," and ...
/j/justus.htm - 12k

Greetings (48 Occurrences)
... Jason and Sosipater. (WEY NIV). Romans 16:22 I, Tertius, who write this
letter, send you Christian greetings. (WEY). Romans 16:23 ...
/g/greetings.htm - 18k

Greet (46 Occurrences)
... The assemblies of Christ greet you. (WEB WEY NAS RSV NIV). Romans 16:22 I, Tertius,
who write the letter, greet you in the Lord. (WEB WEY NAS RSV NIV). ...
/g/greet.htm - 19k

Writer (4 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Writer (4 Occurrences). Romans 16:22 I, Tertius, who have
done the writing of this letter, send love in the Lord. (See RSV). ...
/w/writer.htm - 8k

Wrote (74 Occurrences)
... (ASV NAS). Acts 23:25 He wrote a letter like this: (WEB KJV WEY ASV WBS NAS RSV
NIV). Romans 16:22 I Tertius, who wrote this epistle, salute you in the Lord. ...
/w/wrote.htm - 30k

Letter (112 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS). Romans 16:22 I, Tertius, who write the letter,
greet you in the Lord. (WEB WEY BBE YLT NAS RSV NIV). ...
/l/letter.htm - 40k

Terror-stricken (1 Occurrence)
Terror-stricken. Terrors, Terror-stricken. Tertius . Multi-Version Concordance ...
(See RSV). Terrors, Terror-stricken. Tertius . Reference Bible.
/t/terror-stricken.htm - 6k

Salute (48 Occurrences)
... you. (KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT). Romans 16:22 I Tertius, who wrote this epistle,
salute you in the Lord. (KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT). Romans ...
/s/salute.htm - 19k

Resources
Summary of the Book of Romans - Bible Survey | GotQuestions.org

Was Jonah truly swallowed by a whale? | GotQuestions.org

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