Apelles
Apelles, described as "approved in Christ," was among those greeted by Paul in his letter to the Romans.
Biography
Apelles is mentioned once in the New Testament, in Paul's letter to the Romans (16:10), where Paul extends greetings to him with the notable description "approved in Christ", the Greek word dokimos, meaning tested, proven, and found genuine. This single phrase distinguishes Apelles among the many individuals Paul greets in Romans 16, suggesting that he had passed through some significant test of faith or endured trials that demonstrated the authenticity of his Christian commitment. Whether this refers to persecution, imprisonment, doctrinal controversy, or moral testing is not specified. Various early church traditions identify Apelles as one of the seventy disciples of Jesus, and some sources associate him with later missionary work, though these traditions cannot be verified from the New Testament text alone.
Significance
The brief but pointed description of Apelles as "approved in Christ" carries rich theological resonance. In a letter where Paul addresses numerous believers, the specific designation of Apelles as dokimos, tested and found genuine, suggests a quality of faith that stood out even within the already committed community of the Roman church. Paul uses the same root word elsewhere to speak of those who endure trials and demonstrate authentic faith (cf. 2 Corinthians 13:7; 2 Timothy 2:15). Apelles thus becomes a New Testament emblem of proven faithfulness, reminding readers that the gospel is not merely confessed but demonstrated through the refining pressures of life. His example challenges every believer to aspire to faith that can bear the weight of testing.
Verse Appearances (1)
Romans
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]