Parmenas
“Contracted from Parmenides, meaning 'constant' or 'abiding'”
Summary
Parmenas was one of the seven men chosen by the early church in Jerusalem to oversee the daily distribution of food to the poor, particularly the Hellenist widows.
☩Selection as One of the Seven
Parmenas is the sixth named of the seven men selected by the Jerusalem congregation to serve tables and administer the daily distribution to the Christian poor (Acts 6:5). All seven bore Greek names, indicating they were likely Hellenists—Greek-speaking Jews—chosen specifically to minister to the Hellenist widows who had been neglected. The apostles laid hands on these men after the congregation chose them, setting them apart for this ministry. Nothing further is recorded of Parmenas in Scripture.
☩Later Traditions
According to late and uncertain tradition preserved in Roman martyrologies, Parmenas was one of the seventy disciples sent out by Christ. Hippolytus asserts that he became bishop of Soli. The same traditions claim he suffered martyrdom at Philippi under the Emperor Trajan. In the Calendar of the Byzantine Church, he and Prochorus are commemorated on July 28th. However, these traditions cannot be verified from Scripture or reliable historical sources.
Related Verses1 mention
Acts· 1 verse
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Parmenas," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. VII (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Hastings (ed.), "Parmenas," in Dictionary of the Apostolic Church, vol. II (T. & T. Clark, 1915–1918).
- 3.James Orr (ed.), "Parmenas," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. IV (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).