Φορτουνάτος
Fortunatus
Definition
Φορτουνάτος (Fortunatus) is a proper name meaning 'fortunate' or 'blessed by fortune.' In the New Testament, it refers specifically to a Christian man from Corinth mentioned in 1 Corinthians 16:17. He, along with Stephanas and Achaicus, visited the apostle Paul, likely delivering the Corinthian church's letter to him and returning with Paul's response (1 Corinthians). The name itself carries a positive connotation of being favored or prosperous, which in a Christian context could be seen as reflective of spiritual blessing.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only once in the New Testament, in 1 Corinthians 16:17. It functions strictly as a personal name for an individual who was part of the Corinthian church. The context is Paul expressing joy that Fortunatus and two others have arrived, as their presence refreshed Paul's spirit and presumably facilitated communication with the Corinthian believers.
Etymology
The name Φορτουνάτος (Phortounatos) is a Greek transliteration of the Latin name 'Fortunatus,' which means 'fortunate,' 'blessed,' or 'prosperous.' It is derived from the Latin goddess Fortuna, the personification of luck and fortune. The adoption of this Latin name into the Greek-speaking Corinthian church reflects the common Roman cultural influence in the region.
Semantic Range
While primarily a personal name, Fortunatus represents the practical, relational network of the early church. His role as a messenger (1 Corinthians 16:17) highlights the importance of personal connection, encouragement, and reliable communication in maintaining unity and doctrine among geographically separated believers. Understanding that he bore a name meaning 'fortunate' can enrich the reading of the passage, as his arrival was itself a fortunate and refreshing event for Paul.
In the Roman world, names like Fortunatus were common, often expressing a hope for good luck or success from the pagan goddess Fortuna. For a Corinthian Christian to bear this name illustrates how converts brought their cultural background into the church, with the name's meaning potentially being reinterpreted in light of God's providence rather than pagan fate.
Μακάριος (makarios, G3107) — denotes a state of blessedness or happiness, often from a divine perspective, whereas Φορτουνάτος is a proper name with a secular origin meaning 'fortunate.'
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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