Olympas (Hastings' Dictionary)
The name of a member of the Roman Church greeted by St. Paul in Ro 16", It is an abbreviated form, like several others in the chapter, being apparently shortened for Olympio- dorus. He was commemorated Nov. 10. OLYMPIUS (Ὀλύμπιο:)., -Απ epithet of Zeus, de- rived from Mt. es fee in Thessaly, the abode of the gods. Antiochus Epiphanes, who was occu- ΕΣ in building the magnificent temple of Zeus lympius (whom he specially honoured, see art. JUPITER) at Athens ( ‘olyb. xxvi.
10, 12), caused the temple at Jerusalem to be dedicated to the same divinity in December, B.c. 168 (2 Mac 6°, cf. 1 Mac 1559),
This topic also has an entry in the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Both articles offer independent scholarly perspectives.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia on Olympas
Olympas o-lim'-pas (Olumpas): The name of a Roman Christian to whom Paul sent greetings (Ro 16:15). Olympas is an abbreviated form of Olympiadorus. The joining in one salutation of the Christians mentioned in Ro 16:15 suggests that they formed by themselves a small community in the earliest Roman church. ⇒See a list of verses on OLYMPAS in the Bible. ⇒See also the McClintock and Strong Biblical Cyclopedia.
Fausset's Bible Dictionary on Olympas
A Christian at Rome (Rom 16:15). The addition, "and all the saints which are with them," implies that each of the five, of whom Olympas is one, was a center round whom others gathered for prayer, edification, and good works.
References
- Orr, J. (ed.) (1915) The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Chicago: Howard-Severance Company. [Public Domain]
- Easton, M.G. (1893) Easton's Bible Dictionary. 3rd edn. Thomas Nelson. [Public Domain]
- Nave, O.J. (1897) Nave's Topical Bible. Topical Bible Publishing Co.. [Public Domain]
- Hastings, J. (ed.) (1909) A Dictionary of the Bible. Edinburgh: T&T Clark. [Public Domain]
- Smith, W. (ed.) (1884) Smith's Bible Dictionary. London: John Murray. [Public Domain]
- Fausset, A.R. (1878) Fausset's Bible Dictionary. [Public Domain]A Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopaedia