In brief
Erastus is a coworker of Paul mentioned three times in the New Testament. At Ephesus, Paul sends him to Macedonia with Timothy. In the letter to the Romans, an Erastus, the city treasurer, sends greetings. Finally, Paul writes to Timothy that Erastus stayed at Corinth. The Bible does not say clearly whether he is always the same man. We remember that a man entrusted with a public responsibility could serve Christ and belong to the apostle's circle.
What does the name Erastus mean?
Erastus is a Greek name, generally linked to an adjective meaning lovely or beloved. The Bible does not explain the name; it presents him as a helper of Paul (Acts 19:22) and as the city treasurer (Romans 16:23).
The story of Erastus
Sent to Macedonia
Acts 19:21-22At Ephesus, Paul makes up his mind to go to Jerusalem by way of Macedonia and Achaia, and then to see Rome. He sends two of his helpers, Timothy and Erastus, ahead into Macedonia, while he himself stays in Asia a while longer. Erastus is thus paired with Timothy, one of the apostle's closest coworkers.
The city treasurer
Romans 16:21-23In the closing greetings of the letter to the Romans, Paul passes on those of his companions: Timothy, Lucius, Jason, Sosipater, Tertius, Gaius, and then Erastus, the city treasurer. The city is not named; people generally think of Corinth. This man therefore held a public responsibility while belonging to the church.
Stayed in Corinth
2 Timothy 4:19-20In his last letter, among news of his coworkers, Paul writes to Timothy that Erastus stayed at Corinth and that he left Trophimus sick at Miletus. The mention is brief, but it shows that Erastus is still among the coworkers whose path Paul follows, at the end of his ministry.
What Erastus teaches us
- God calls to his service both traveling missionaries and believers engaged in public life.
- Serving alongside another, as Erastus did with Timothy, is fully part of the work of God.
- A responsibility in the city does not prevent full belonging to the church and its mission.
- Names briefly cited in Paul's letters remind us that the gospel advances thanks to many faithful servants.
Key verses
Paul entrusts Erastus with a mission to Macedonia together with Timothy. Being counted among the apostle's helpers shows the trust Paul placed in him to prepare his visit to the churches.
A city treasurer greets the Christians of Rome. The gospel reaches every level of society, and a man in charge of public finances introduces himself as a brother among brothers.
Whoever is faithful in very little is also faithful in much. Whether it is a city's finances or a mission for the apostle, faithfulness remains the same requirement.
Bible verses to meditate on
Frequently asked questions
Who was Erastus in the Bible?
Erastus is a coworker of Paul. Paul sends him to Macedonia with Timothy (Acts 19:22), an Erastus who is the city treasurer greets the Christians of Rome (Romans 16:23), and Paul writes that Erastus stayed at Corinth (2 Timothy 4:20). The Bible does not say whether it is always the same man.
Was Erastus the treasurer of Corinth?
Romans 16:23 calls him the city treasurer without naming the city. Many think it is Corinth, from which Paul is thought to have written his letter, and 2 Timothy 4:20 says an Erastus stayed at Corinth. This connection is plausible, but the biblical text does not state it explicitly.
Where can Erastus be found in the Bible?
Erastus appears in three passages: Acts 19:22, where Paul sends him to Macedonia with Timothy; Romans 16:23, where an Erastus who is the city treasurer sends greetings; and 2 Timothy 4:20, where Paul says he stayed at Corinth.