Crispus
“Curled, curly-haired”
Summary
The ruler of the Jewish synagogue at Corinth who believed in Christ with his entire household and was personally baptized by the apostle Paul.
☩Conversion at Corinth
When Paul came to Corinth during his second missionary journey, he initially preached in the synagogue every sabbath, persuading both Jews and Greeks (Acts 18:4). After opposition from the Jews, Paul withdrew to the house of Justus next door to the synagogue. At this time, Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, 'believed on the Lord with all his house' (Acts 18:8). His conversion was particularly significant as the chief official of the very synagogue that had rejected Paul's message.
☩Baptism by Paul
Paul mentions Crispus in his first letter to the Corinthians as one of the very few believers he personally baptized, alongside Gaius and the household of Stephanas (1 Corinthians 1:14-16). Paul typically left baptizing to others, focusing his ministry on preaching the gospel (1 Corinthians 1:17). The fact that Paul baptized Crispus personally may reflect the special significance of this prominent convert's profession of faith.
☩Later Tradition
According to tradition preserved in the Apostolic Constitutions, Crispus later became bishop of Aegina. The Greek Church observes his festival on October 4. His successor as ruler of the synagogue appears to have been Sosthenes, who was beaten before Gallio's judgment seat (Acts 18:17) and may himself have later become a believer, possibly the same Sosthenes mentioned in 1 Corinthians 1:1.
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Crispus," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. II (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Crispus," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).