Andronicus
Summary
A Jewish Christian saluted by Paul in Romans as his kinsman and fellow prisoner, who was "of note among the apostles" and converted before Paul himself.
☩Identity
Andronicus was greeted by Paul along with Junia (or Junias) in his letter to the Romans. Paul describes them as his "kinsmen," which may mean fellow Jews, members of the same tribe, or possibly relatives. They are also called Paul's "fellow prisoners," indicating they had shared imprisonment for Christ's sake, whether at the same time as Paul or separately. According to later tradition, Andronicus became bishop of Pannonia.
☩Apostolic Ministry
Paul describes Andronicus and his companion as "of note among the apostles," likely meaning they were themselves notable as apostles in the wider sense of delegated missionaries rather than merely being known to the Twelve. Most significantly, Paul notes they were "in Christ before me," meaning they became Christians before Paul's own conversion. This seniority of faith carried honor and responsibility in the apostolic church.
Related Verses1 mention
Romans· 1 verse
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Andronicus," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. I (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Hastings (ed.), "Andronicus," in Dictionary of the Apostolic Church, vol. I (T. & T. Clark, 1915–1918).
- 3.Andrew Robert Fausset, "Andronicus," in The Englishman's Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopædia (Hodder & Stoughton, 1878).