Carpus
Carpus was a friend of Paul in Troas, with whom Paul left his cloak, books, and parchments.
Biography
Carpus was a Christian resident of Troas, on the northwestern coast of Asia Minor, who appears in only a single verse of the New Testament (2 Timothy 4:13). Paul, writing from Rome during his second imprisonment and anticipating his imminent execution, asked Timothy to retrieve from Carpus the cloak, books, and parchments he had left behind. This brief mention reveals that Paul had recently passed through Troas, likely during his final missionary journey, and had stayed long enough to leave behind personal and scholarly materials in Carpus's care. The trust Paul placed in Carpus suggests an established relationship of friendship and reliability. Though nothing further is known of Carpus, he evidently served the apostle as a faithful steward at a critical moment in Paul's ministry.
Significance
The mention of Carpus in 2 Timothy 4:13 offers a moving glimpse into the humanity of the apostle Paul at the end of his life, a man cold in prison, longing for his cloak, and still intent on studying Scripture through the books and parchments he requested. Carpus's role as the custodian of these materials underscores the importance of faithful support communities surrounding apostolic ministry. His quiet faithfulness reflects the ministry of countless unnamed believers who sustained the early church through practical service. Carpus reminds readers that the advancement of God's word often depends on the unseen faithfulness of ordinary people who provide care and resources to those in active ministry.
Verse Appearances (1)
2 Timothy
References
- Orr, J. (ed.) (1915) The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Chicago: Howard-Severance Company. [Public Domain]
- Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Translators Individualised Proper Names with all References (TIPNR). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
- Church of England (1769) The Holy Bible, Authorized (King James) Version. [Public Domain]