Theophilus
“Friend of God, or loved of God”
Summary
Theophilus was the person to whom Luke addressed both his Gospel and the Acts of the Apostles, apparently a man of high rank who had received instruction in the Christian faith.
☩Identity and Character
Theophilus, whose name means 'friend of God' or 'loved of God,' was addressed by Luke with the honorable epithet 'most excellent' (Greek: kratiste), the same designation applied to Roman governors Felix and Festus. This suggests he was a person of high official position, possibly of equestrian rank or in the Imperial service. Some early church fathers considered whether the name might be symbolic, representing all Christians who love God, but the formal address indicates a real historical person. Nothing certain is known of his later life, and various traditions connecting him with Antioch or Alexandria lack reliable support.
☩Relationship to Luke's Writings
Luke composed his two-volume work specifically to provide Theophilus with an orderly account of the origins of Christianity. The term 'instructed' (Greek: katecheo) in Luke 1:4 suggests Theophilus had received oral catechetical teaching in the Christian faith but needed a more systematic written account to give him certainty about what he had learned. The Gospel narrative begins with Christ's birth and ministry, while Acts continues the story through the spread of the Church to Rome. Behind Theophilus, Luke likely envisioned a broader audience of similar inquirers seeking reliable historical knowledge about Christianity.
☩Status as a Christian
Most scholars conclude that Theophilus was already a Christian convert when Luke wrote to him, not merely an interested pagan inquirer. The language of 'instruction' and the nature of Luke's purpose suggest someone who needed deeper grounding in truths already accepted by faith. The special emphasis in Luke's Gospel on the dangers of wealth and social position may reflect awareness that such factors posed particular challenges for Christians of Theophilus's standing. That he was willing to be further instructed in his faith speaks well of his spiritual disposition.
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Theophilus," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. X (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Hastings (ed.), "Theophilus," in Dictionary of Christ and the Gospels, vol. II (T. & T. Clark, 1906–1908).
- 3.James Hastings (ed.), "Theophilus," in Dictionary of the Apostolic Church, vol. II (T. & T. Clark, 1915–1918).
- 4.George Morrish, "Theophilus," in Morrish's Concise Bible Dictionary (George Morrish, 1898).