Apelles
“Without receptacle; possibly contracted from Apollodorus”
☩Roman Christian
Apelles was a Christian saluted by Paul in Romans 16:10 as 'the approved in Christ' (τὸν δόκιμον ἐν Χριστῷ). The phrase may indicate that he had been specially tested and tried by affliction or persecution, or that he had gained the approbation of the church, sufficiently perhaps to be called to the ministry (cf. 1 Tim 3:10). Nothing else is known of him from Scripture. Assuming the Roman destination of these salutations, he was probably a Jewish convert residing in Rome as a member of the Imperial household. As the salutation which follows is that to 'the household of Aristobulus,' it has been suggested that Apelles' Christian activity may have lain in that direction; if Aristobulus was the grandson of Herod, Apelles would no doubt find in his household many members of his own race. Tradition makes him bishop of Smyrna or Heraclea (A.D. 55), or bishop of Smyrna.
☩Name and Traditions
The name Apelles (Ἀπελλῆς) is a Greek name possibly contracted from Apollodorus, and was apparently common among Jews of the Dispersion. It was a common Jewish name, probably not—as Origen thought—Apollos. The name is known to have belonged to the Imperial household; it was borne by a famous tragic actor in the time of the Emperor Caius. The etymology 'without receptacle (hide)' is given from Greek.
Related Verses1 mention
Romans· 1 verse
References
- 1.F. N. Peloubet & M. A. Peloubet (ed.), "Apelles," in Smith's Bible Dictionary (Porter & Coates, 1884).
- 2.Andrew Robert Fausset, "Apelles," in The Englishman's Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopædia (Hodder & Stoughton, 1878).
- 3.George Morrish, "Apelles," in Morrish's Concise Bible Dictionary (George Morrish, 1898).
- 4.James Hastings (ed.), "Apelles," in Dictionary of the Apostolic Church (T. & T. Clark, 1915–1918).
- 5.J. B. Jackson, "Apelles," in A Dictionary of Scripture Proper Names (Loizeaux Brothers, 1909).