Theophilus is a figure mentioned in the New Testament, specifically in the prologues of the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles. His name, meaning "friend of God" or "loved by God" in Greek, has led to various interpretations regarding his identity and role in early Christianity.

Biblical References:

1. Luke 1:3 : "Therefore, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus."

2. Acts 1:1 : "In my first book, O Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach."

Identity and Role:

Theophilus is addressed as "most excellent," a title often used for individuals of high social standing or official rank, suggesting that he may have been a person of influence or authority. Some scholars propose that he could have been a Roman official or a wealthy patron who supported Luke's work. Others suggest that Theophilus might have been a symbolic or honorary title representing a broader audience of God-fearing individuals.

Purpose of Address:

Theophilus is the recipient of both the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles, indicating that these works were intended to provide him with a comprehensive and orderly account of the life, ministry, and teachings of Jesus Christ, as well as the early church's history. Luke's intention was to affirm the certainty of the teachings Theophilus had received, as stated in Luke 1:4 : "so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught."

Theological Significance:

Theophilus's mention underscores the importance of accurate and reliable transmission of the Christian faith. Luke's dedication to Theophilus highlights the early church's commitment to documenting the life and works of Jesus and the apostles, ensuring that the message of the Gospel was preserved and communicated effectively to both contemporary and future audiences.

Historical Context:

Theophilus's potential role as a patron or supporter of Luke's writings reflects the broader practice in the ancient world where authors often relied on the support of wealthy individuals to fund their literary endeavors. This relationship would have facilitated the dissemination of Luke's writings within the early Christian communities and beyond.

Interpretations and Speculations:

While some have speculated that Theophilus might have been a catechumen or a new convert to Christianity, others view him as a representative figure for all believers who seek to deepen their understanding of the faith. The ambiguity surrounding his identity allows for a wide range of interpretations, each contributing to the richness of the biblical narrative and its application to diverse audiences.

In summary, Theophilus serves as a key figure in the introduction to Luke's writings, representing both a specific individual and a broader audience of believers. His mention emphasizes the importance of faith, knowledge, and the careful preservation of the Gospel message.Theophilus

friend of God

Theophilus

(friend of God) the person to whom St. Luke inscribes his Gospel and the Acts of the Apostles. (Luke 1:3; Acts 1:1) From the honorable epithet applied to him in (Luke 1:3) it has been argued with much probability that he was a person in high official position. All that can be conjectured with any degree of safety concerning him comes to this, that he was a Gentile of rank and consideration who came under the influence of St. Luke or under that of St. Paul at Rome, and was converted to the Christian faith.

Theophilus

Friend of God, an honorable person to whom the evangelist Luke addressed his gospel, and the Acts of the Apostles, Luke 1:3; Acts 1:1. We can only say of him, in general, that most probably he was a man of some note, who lived out of Palestine, and had abjured paganism in order to embrace Christianity.

Lover of God, a Christian, probably a Roman, to whom Luke dedicated both his Gospel (Luke 1:3) and the Acts of the Apostles (1:1). Nothing beyond this is known of him. From the fact that Luke applies to him the title "most excellent", the same title Paul uses in addressing Felix (Acts 23:26; 24:3) and Festus (26:25), it has been concluded that Theophilus was a person of rank, perhaps a Roman officer. THEOPHILUS

the-of'-i-lus (Theophilos, "loved of God"): The one to whom Luke addressed his Gospel and the Acts of the Apostles (compare Luke 1:3 Acts 1:1). It has been suggested that Theophilus is merely a generic term for all Christians, but the epithet "most excellent" implies it was applied by Luke to a definite person, probably a Roman official, whom he held in high respect. Theophilus may have been the presbyter who took part in sending the letter from the Corinthians to Paul, given in the "Acta Pauli" (compare Hennecke, Neutestamentliche Apokryphen, 378). There is also a magistrate Theophilus mentioned in the "Acts of James" as being converted by James on his way to India (compare Budge, The Contendings of the Apostles, II, 299), but these and other identifications, together with other attempts to trace out the further history of the original Theophilus, are without sufficient evidence for their establishment (compare also Knowling in The Expositor Greek Testament, II, 49-51).

C. M. Kerr

2321. Theophilos -- "friend of God," Theophilus, the addressee of ...
... 2320, 2321. Theophilos. 2322 . "friend of God," Theophilus, the addressee of
Luke and Acts. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: Theophilos ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2321.htm - 6k

Theophilus to Autolycus
Theophilus to Autolycus. <. Theophilus to Autolycus Theophilus of
Antioch. Table of Contents. Title Page. Introductory Note. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/theophilus/theophilus to autolycus/

Theophilus. ...
... [Way-1-4] Theophilus.? Theophilus. Dear Humanus, my heart embraces you with great
joy, and I am much pleased with what you say of yourself. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/law/the way to divine knowledge/way-1-4 theophilus .htm

Theophilus. ...
... [Way-3-2] Theophilus.? Theophilus. You have seen, that all nature begins
and stands in a magic birth; and is only a large display ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/law/the way to divine knowledge/way-3-2 theophilus .htm

Theophilus. ...
... [Way-3-4] Theophilus.? Theophilus. All this is right, and very well; provided you
do but know who, and what, are the great and powerful enemies of religion. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/law/the way to divine knowledge/way-3-4 theophilus .htm

Theophilus. ...
... [Way-2-134] Theophilus.? Theophilus. ... Footnotes: [Way-3-1]. Academicus. If you please,
Theophilus, pray go on, just where you left off at our last meeting. ...
/.../law/the way to divine knowledge/way-2-134 theophilus .htm

Theophilus
... Chapter XLIII. Theophilus. Theophilus, [2452] bishop of C??sarea in Palestine,
the city formerly called Turris Stratonis, in the ...
/.../jerome and gennadius lives of illustrious men /chapter xliii theophilus.htm

Theophilus
... Chapter XXV. Theophilus. Theophilus, [2425] sixth bishop of the church of
Antioch, in the reign of the emperor Marcus Antoninus Verus ...
/.../jerome and gennadius lives of illustrious men /chapter xxv theophilus.htm

Theophilus
... Chapter XXXIV. Theophilus. Theophilus, [2628] bishop of the church [2629]
of Alexandria, wrote one great volume Against Origen in ...
/.../jerome and gennadius lives of illustrious men /chapter xxxiv theophilus.htm

Theophilus. ...
... [Way-2-49] Theophilus.? Theophilus. The conclusion, my friend, that you
here think to be so just and strong, as not possible to ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/law/the way to divine knowledge/way-2-49 theophilus .htm

Theophilus. ...
... [Way-2-65] Theophilus.? Theophilus. Everything, Academicus, is, and must
be, its own proof; and can only be known from and by itself. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/law/the way to divine knowledge/way-2-65 theophilus .htm

Theophilus (2 Occurrences)
... him the title "most excellent", the same title Paul uses in addressing Felix (Acts
23:26; 24:3) and Festus (26:25), it has been concluded that Theophilus was a ...
/t/theophilus.htm - 8k

The-oph'ilus (2 Occurrences)
The-oph'ilus. Theophilus, The-oph'ilus. Theories . Multi-Version Concordance ...
Theophilus, The-oph'ilus. Theories . Reference Bible.
/t/the-oph'ilus.htm - 6k

Beginning (187 Occurrences)
... 1:3 it seemed good to me also, having traced the course of all things accurately
from the first, to write to you in order, most excellent Theophilus; (See NAS ...
/b/beginning.htm - 38k

Account (460 Occurrences)
... Luke 1:3 it has seemed right to me also, after careful investigation of the facts
from their commencement, to write for you, most noble Theophilus, a connected ...
/a/account.htm - 35k

Narrative (2 Occurrences)
... Acts 1:1 My former narrative, Theophilus, dealt with all that Jesus did
and taught as a beginning, down to the day on which, (WEY). ...
/n/narrative.htm - 7k

Noble (61 Occurrences)
... Luke 1:3 it has seemed right to me also, after careful investigation of the facts
from their commencement, to write for you, most noble Theophilus, a connected ...
/n/noble.htm - 27k

Understanding (248 Occurrences)
... It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the
very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus, (KJV WBS ...
/u/understanding.htm - 38k

Observation (4 Occurrences)
... to me, having made observation, with great care, of the direction of events in their
order, to put the facts in writing for you, most noble Theophilus; (BBE). ...
/o/observation.htm - 8k

Orderly (8 Occurrences)
... Luke 1:3 it seemed good also to me, having followed from the first after all things
exactly, to write to thee in order, most noble Theophilus, (See RSV NIV). ...
/o/orderly.htm - 9k

Origin (25 Occurrences)
... Luke 1:3 it has seemed good to me also, accurately acquainted from the origin with
all things, to write to thee with method, most excellent Theophilus, (DBY). ...
/o/origin.htm - 13k

Who was Theophilus at the beginning of Luke and Acts? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Luke in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Questions about Luke | GotQuestions.org

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