Erastus

In Bible versions:

Erastus: NET AVS NIV NRSV NASB TEV

a man who was a friend of Paul

---

lovely, amiable

Greek

Strongs #2037: Erastov Erastos

Erastus = "beloved"

1) a companion of the apostle Paul
2) the chamberlain or rather the public treasurer, of Corinth

2037 Erastos er'-as-tos

from erao (to love); beloved; Erastus, a Christian:-Erastus.

Erastus [EBD]

beloved. (1.) The "chamberlain" of the city of Corinth (Rom. 16:23), and one of Paul's disciples. As treasurer of such a city he was a public officer of great dignity, and his conversion to the gospel was accordingly a proof of the wonderful success of the apostle's labours.

(2.) A companion of Paul at Ephesus, who was sent by him along with Timothy into Macedonia (Acts 19:22). Corinth was his usual place of abode (2 Tim. 4:20); but probably he may have been the same as the preceding.

Erastus [NAVE]

ERASTUS
1. A friend of Paul, Acts 19:22; 2 Tim. 4:20.
2. Convert of Paul's, probably same as preceding, Rom. 16:23.

ERASTUS [SMITH]

(beloved).

1. One of the attendants of St. Paul at Ephesus, who with Timothy was sent forward into Macedonia. (Acts 19:22) (A.D. 51.) He is probably the same with Erastus who is again mentioned in the salutations to Timothy. (2 Timothy 4:20)
2. Erastus the chamberlain, or rather the public treasurer, of Corinth, who was one of the early converts to Christianity. (Romans 16:23) According to the traditions of the Greek Church, he was first treasurer to the church at Jerusalem, and afterwards bishop of Paneas.

ERASTUS [ISBE]

ERASTUS - e-ras'-tus (Erastos, "beloved"): The name occurs three times, each time denoting a companion of Paul.

(1) Erastus was sent with Timothy from Ephesus into Macedonia while Paul remained in Asia for a while. They are designated "two of them that ministered unto him" (Acts 19:22).

(2) "Erastus the treasurer of the city" sent greetings to the Christians in Rome (Rom 16:23). He was apparently an important person in the Corinthian community, and with Gaius probably represented that church in these fraternal relations with the Roman community.

(3) Erastus is one who, in 2 Tim 4:20, "remained at Corinth."

We have no means of discovering whether one or more than one person is meant in these references. A. C. Headlam (HDB, under the word) thinks it improbable that one who held an office implying residence in one locality should have been one of Paul's companions in travel. On the other hand Paul may be designating Erastus (Rom 16:23) by an office he once held, but which he gave up to engage in mission work.

S. F. Hunter