Λῖνος
Linus
Definition
Λῖνος (Linus) is a proper noun referring to a specific individual mentioned in the New Testament. In its sole biblical occurrence, it identifies a Christian named Linus who was with the Apostle Paul in Rome near the end of Paul's life (2 Timothy 4:21). The name itself is of Greek origin and was relatively common in the Greco-Roman world. There are no other biblical senses or meanings for this word; it functions solely as a personal name for this early believer.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only once in the New Testament, in 2 Timothy 4:21. Paul includes Linus in a list of fellow Christians (along with Eubulus, Pudens, and Claudia) who send greetings to Timothy. The usage is purely as a personal name within a closing greeting in a pastoral epistle, indicating Linus was part of Paul's circle in Rome.
Etymology
Λῖνος (Linos) is a Greek masculine proper name. It is likely derived from the Greek word for 'flax' or 'linen' (λίνον, linon), though as a personal name, this connection is largely etymological and not directly meaningful to its use as an identifier for a person. The name was borne by several figures in Greek mythology and history, making it a familiar name in the ancient world.
Semantic Range
While the name itself is not theologically loaded, its inclusion in Scripture is significant. Linus represents one of the many faithful but otherwise unknown individuals in the early church. His mention alongside Paul highlights the communal nature of Christian ministry and the network of relationships that sustained the apostles. It reminds readers that the growth of the church depended on both prominent leaders and countless faithful companions like Linus.
Linus was a common Greek and Roman personal name. Its presence in a Christian context in Rome (2 Timothy 4:21) illustrates the cross-cultural spread of the early church, where individuals retained their given names upon conversion. Early church tradition (e.g., in the writings of Irenaeus) later identifies a Linus as a bishop of Rome, possibly this same individual, though this is not confirmed by the biblical text.
Word Details
How this works
Definitions are from the Dodson Greek-English Lexicon, a concise public-domain resource suitable for introductory word study. Brief glosses are supplemented by STEPBible TBESG data (CC BY 4.0). For advanced research, standard scholarly references include BDAG (Danker, 3rd ed.) and LSJ.
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