Quartus

/KWOR-tus/

Summary

Quartus was a Christian at Corinth whose greetings Paul conveyed to the church at Rome, described simply as 'the brother' in recognition of his fellowship in the faith.

☩Biblical Reference

Quartus is mentioned only once in Scripture, in Paul's letter to the Romans, where his greeting is sent alongside that of Erastus, the city treasurer. His Latin name, meaning 'fourth,' suggests he was likely a Roman or at least a Gentile convert rather than Jewish. Paul describes him simply as 'the brother,' a common early Christian designation emphasizing spiritual kinship within the community of faith.

Key verses:Romans 16:23

☩Christian Fellowship

The title 'brother' was among the earliest designations Christians used for one another, likely borrowed from Jewish practice and also common among pagan religious communities. In the apostolic church, to be a member was to be a servant according to one's gift—the terms 'brother' and 'minister' were practically synonymous. Quartus was almost certainly an active worker in the Corinthian church, though Scripture provides no details of his specific ministry.

Key verses:Romans 8:291 Thessalonians 5:14

☩Later Tradition

Church tradition, though unverifiable, holds that Quartus was one of the seventy disciples sent out by Jesus and that he ultimately became bishop of Berytus (modern Beirut). Such traditions were commonly attached to otherwise obscure New Testament figures.

Key verses:Luke 10:1

Related Verses1 mention

Romans· 1 verse

16:23

References

1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Quartus," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. VIII (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
2.James Orr (ed.), "Quartus," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. IV (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
3.James Hastings (ed.), "Quartus," in Dictionary of the Apostolic Church, vol. II (T. & T. Clark, 1915–1918).