Phygellus
“Possibly 'fugitive'”
Summary
Phygellus was a Christian from the Roman province of Asia who, along with Hermogenes, abandoned the apostle Paul during his imprisonment.
☩Desertion of Paul
Paul writes to Timothy that 'all they which are in Asia' had turned away from him, naming Phygellus and Hermogenes specifically. This abandonment occurred during Paul's Roman imprisonment around AD 64. The exact nature of their desertion is debated—it may have involved forsaking Paul at a critical moment when his support was expected, or leading a party opposing him at Rome. Their turning away stands in stark contrast to Onesiphorus, mentioned in the following verse, who diligently sought out Paul in Rome and was not ashamed of his chains.
☩Significance
The desertion of Phygellus may reflect a broader pattern of opposition and abandonment that Paul faced in his final years. Some commentators suggest their aversion related to the 'heavenly doctrines' Paul taught. Paul seems to have foreseen such defection when he warned the Ephesian elders that from among their own number men would arise speaking perverse things. The apostle's lament connects with the picture of the Asian churches in Revelation 2-3.
Related Verses1 mention
2 Timothy· 1 verse
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Phygellus," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. VIII (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.Andrew Robert Fausset, "Phygellus," in The Englishman's Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopædia (Hodder & Stoughton, 1878).
- 3.George Morrish, "Phygellus," in Morrish's Concise Bible Dictionary (George Morrish, 1898).