Who was Crispus in the Bible?

Crispus was the leader (or ruler) of the synagogue in Corinth. He became a believer in Jesus Christ and was famously baptized by the Apostle Paul along with his entire household (Acts 18:8).

Why is Crispus significant in the New Testament?

His conversion was a pivotal event, demonstrating the gospel's power to reach influential Jewish leaders. Paul later mentions baptizing Crispus, highlighting him as a notable early convert in Corinth (1 Corinthians 1:14).

What happened to Crispus after his baptism?

The Bible does not detail his later life, but his immediate conversion led to many other Corinthians believing. As the former synagogue ruler, his public faith likely caused significant discussion and growth in the early church (Acts 18:8).

Crispus

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Crispus, the synagogue leader in Corinth, believed in Jesus and was baptized by Paul. (Act.18.8; 1Co.1.14)

Crispus

Biography

Crispus served as the archisynagogos, the ruler or president, of the Jewish synagogue in Corinth when Paul arrived in the city during his second missionary journey (Acts 18:8). As synagogue leader, he was responsible for overseeing worship, managing the building, and maintaining order during synagogue gatherings, a position of considerable social and religious standing in the Jewish community.

His conversion to faith in Jesus Christ, along with his entire household, was a landmark event in the establishment of the Corinthian church. The defection of the synagogue president to the new movement would have sent shockwaves through the Jewish community in Corinth. Paul specifically names Crispus as one of only a handful of individuals he personally baptized in Corinth (1 Corinthians 1:14).

Significance

Crispus stands as a powerful symbol of the gospel's transformative reach into positions of religious authority. His conversion validated Paul's ministry at a moment of significant opposition in Corinth (Acts 18:5-6) and demonstrated that even those most deeply invested in the existing religious order could be drawn to Christ.

The fact that Paul personally baptized him, unusual given Paul's typical practice of delegating baptisms, suggests Crispus held exceptional strategic importance for the young church. His household faith (Acts 18:8) also mirrors the household conversion pattern seen throughout Acts, affirming that the gospel reshapes not just individuals but entire social units, laying new foundations for covenant community life.

Verse Appearances (2)

Acts

Acts 18:8

1Cor

1Cor 1:14

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]
Wikidata contributors (n.d.) Wikidata. Available at: https://www.wikidata.org. [CC0]
Church of England (1769) The Holy Bible, Authorized (King James) Version. [Public Domain]

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