Κούαρτος

Quartus

Definition

Κούαρτος (Quartus) is a proper name meaning 'fourth' in Latin, used to identify a specific individual in the early Christian community. In the New Testament, it refers to a Christian believer named Quartus, who is mentioned as sending greetings to the church in Rome. The text identifies him as a 'brother,' which in this context likely signifies a fellow Christian, and he is associated with Erastus, the city treasurer of Corinth (Romans 16:23). There are no other biblical senses or meanings for this name; it solely denotes this person.

Biblical Usage

This word is used only once in the New Testament, in Romans 16:23. It appears in the closing greetings of Paul's letter, where Quartus is listed among those sending salutations from Corinth. The usage is purely as a personal identifier within a list of fellow workers and believers, showing his connection to the Corinthian church and its prominent member, Erastus.

Etymology

Κούαρτος is a direct transliteration of the Latin name 'Quartus,' which means 'fourth.' It was a common Roman praenomen (first name) or cognomen (family name), often given to a fourth child or possibly indicating the month of birth. The Greek New Testament simply adopts this Latin name without translation.

Semantic Range

While the name itself is not theologically loaded, Quartus's mention is theologically significant as it highlights the personal, relational nature of the early church. His inclusion in Romans 16:23, a chapter rich with personal greetings, underscores the reality of a diverse, interconnected Christian community spanning from Corinth to Rome. It reminds readers that the gospel spread through real individuals in specific social networks, enriching our understanding of the New Testament as both a theological document and a collection of personal letters.

As a Latin name in a Greek text, 'Quartus' reflects the Roman cultural and political dominance of the era. Its use indicates that early Christians came from various cultural backgrounds, including those integrated into Roman society. The name itself, meaning 'fourth,' was a typical Roman naming convention, differing from modern Western names which are often chosen for sound or family tradition rather than ordinal meaning.

There are no direct synonyms, as it is a proper name. However, other individuals in the greeting list serve a similar function of identifying fellow believers: Γάϊος (Gaios, G1050) — another Corinthian Christian mentioned in the same verse; Ἔραστος (Erastos, G2037) — the city treasurer explicitly called Quartus's 'brother' in Romans 16:23.

Word Details

Scripture References