In brief
Crispus is the ruler of the synagogue at Corinth during Paul's first stay in that city. While many Jews oppose the apostle, Crispus believes in the Lord with all his house, and many Corinthians also believe and are baptized. Paul later reminds the Corinthians that he baptized him himself, together with Gaius. A religious leader recognizes in Jesus the Christ whom Paul proclaimed.
What does the name Crispus mean?
Crispus is a Latin name, generally linked to a word suggesting curly hair. The Bible does not explain it and presents him only as the ruler of the synagogue of Corinth (Acts 18:8).
The story of Crispus
Paul arrives at Corinth
Acts 18:1-5Coming from Athens, Paul settles at Corinth with Aquila and Priscilla, tentmakers like himself. Every Sabbath he reasons in the synagogue and tries to persuade Jews and Greeks. When Silas and Timothy arrive from Macedonia, he devotes himself fully to the word and testifies to the Jews that Jesus is the Christ.
Opposition and the house of Justus
Acts 18:6-7The Jews oppose Paul and abuse him. He shakes out his clothing and announces that from now on he will go to the Gentiles. He leaves the synagogue and goes into the house of a man named Justus, one who worshiped God, whose house is next door to the synagogue. In this tense setting, the ruler of the synagogue is about to believe.
Crispus believes with all his house
Acts 18:8Despite the opposition, “Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed in the Lord with all his house.” His conversion is not isolated: many Corinthians who heard Paul also believe and are baptized. The leader of the synagogue thus recognizes in Jesus the Christ whom Paul proclaimed every Sabbath.
“Don’t be afraid”
Acts 18:9-11During the night, the Lord speaks to Paul in a vision: he is not to be afraid but to speak and not be silent, for no one will attack him to harm him, and the Lord has many people in this city. Paul then stays a year and six months at Corinth, teaching the word of God among them.
Baptized by Paul's hand
1 Corinthians 1:14-17Later, Paul writes to the Corinthians, divided around the names of men. He thanks God that he baptized none of them “except Crispus and Gaius,” and the household of Stephanas. So no one can say they were baptized into Paul's name, since Christ sent him to preach the gospel.
What Crispus teaches us
- A religious position cannot replace personal faith in Jesus Christ.
- We can choose to believe even when those around us oppose the gospel.
- The faith of a head of household can open the way for the whole house.
- Baptism ties us to Christ, not to the servant who administers it.
Key verses
This verse sums up the conversion of Crispus. The ruler of the synagogue believes in the Lord with all his house, and his faith is part of a wider movement at Corinth.
Paul names Crispus among the few Corinthians he baptized himself. He recalls it so that no one will claim to have been baptized into his name.
Soon after the conversion of Crispus, the Lord encourages Paul to keep speaking, because he has many people in Corinth.
Frequently asked questions
What did a ruler of the synagogue do?
The New Testament shows rulers of the synagogue overseeing worship: at Antioch of Pisidia, they invite Paul to give a word of exhortation to the people after the reading of the law and the prophets (Acts 13:15). Crispus held this responsibility at Corinth when he believed.
Who baptized Crispus?
Paul himself. In his first letter to the Corinthians, he says he baptized none of them except Crispus and Gaius, and the household of Stephanas (1 Corinthians 1:14-16). He insists, however, on what matters most: Christ sent him above all to preach the gospel.
Where is the story of Crispus in the Bible?
Crispus appears in the book of Acts, chapter 18, verse 8, during Paul's stay at Corinth. He is mentioned a second time by Paul in 1 Corinthians 1:14, among the few people he baptized in that city.