Patrobas
“Contracted from Patrobius, meaning 'life of his father' or 'paternal'”
Summary
Patrobas was a Christian in Rome to whom Paul sent greetings in his letter to the Romans, likely a member of a house church meeting with four other named believers.
☩Mention in Romans
Patrobas is the fourth of five persons greeted by Paul in Romans 16:14, listed with Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, and Hermas, along with "the brethren with them." All five names are Greek, and together with the unnamed brethren, they likely formed a house church or Christian congregation meeting together. Some scholars suggest the first-named person (Asyncritus) may have been the recognized leader of this group. The name Patrobas is an abbreviated form of Patrobius, meaning "life of his father."
☩Connection to Imperial Household
Like many other names in Romans 16, Patrobas was borne by at least one member of the emperor's household. There was a wealthy freedman of Nero named Patrobius who was later put to death by Galba. The Patrobas of Paul may have been a dependent of this man, or the name may simply reflect its commonality in Roman society. Paul's reference to "those who belong to Caesar's household" (Philippians 4:22) indicates Christians were indeed found among the imperial servants.
☩Later Traditions
According to uncertain tradition, Patrobas was one of the seventy disciples and became bishop of Puteoli. He is said to have suffered martyrdom together with Philologus on November 4, which date is assigned as his anniversary in the Roman martyrology. These traditions, however, cannot be verified and appear to be later ecclesiastical embellishments.
Related Verses1 mention
Romans· 1 verse
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Patrobas," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. VII (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Hastings (ed.), "Patrobas," in Dictionary of the Apostolic Church, vol. II (T. & T. Clark, 1915–1918).
- 3.James Orr (ed.), "Patrobas," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. IV (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 4.Andrew Robert Fausset, "Patrobas," in The Englishman's Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopædia (Hodder & Stoughton, 1878).