Gaius was a friend of John, so it is possible he knew Diotrephes and had helped him financially in the past. Of Derbe. The Bible describes Gaius as a traveling companion in Acts 19:29 and 20:4 and the apostle mentions him as a kind and generous person. He was evidently a man of position and means (the greeting from him immediately precedes that from Erastus, the treasurer of the city), whether his hospitality took the form of keeping open house forChristiansandChristianvisitors like theApostleatCorinthor of allowing the Christians to meet for common worship and edification under his roof. Gaiuss generosity showed that he cared for the growth of the whole Christian church. A Christian of Derbe, one of the group waiting for Paul at Troas (Acts 20:4). One centurion named Lucilius was nicknamed Cedo Alteram, which means Fetch me another, because he was fond of breaking his cane over soldiers backs. But the gospel writers, Mark especially, place the centurions in key positions within their narrative as wonderful examples of faith. Required fields are marked *, How Many Types of Prayers Are There in the Bible. And its found on the lips of this unexpected Gentile military commander. Gaius is a Roman centurion and a former associate of Matthew. [5] When the army encamped, centurions supervised the building of fortifications, a crucial duty in enemy territory. 2. Discipline was harsh in the ancient Roman army. With this reading he could readily be identified with 1. above. We can learn much even today from these Roman centurions. His name first appeared in the apocryphal Gospel of Nicodemus. The centurion is cast as one who deserves redemption because of his having built them a synagogue. John claimed that Diotrephes behavior revealed a spiritual blind spot and did not come from God. Was Jesus Questioned by Quintus in the Bible, What Does Transgression Mean in the Bible, Who Wrote the Book of Proverbs in the Bible, What Does the Bible Say About Seasons in Your Life, Who Was the Longest Living Person in the Bible, Can You Read the Bible in Chronological Order, What Are the Books of Wisdom in the Bible, Where Are the 3 Heavens Mentioned in the Bible. These Christians had little money, and needed to depend on other Christians for food and lodging. The purpose of the letter is to encourage and strengthen Gaius, and to warn him against Diotrephes, who refuses to cooperate with the author of the letter. This would have been a difficult ask for both Cornelius and Peter. Cornelius is a god-fearing man but has a misunderstanding of the gospel. Your email address will not be published. Gaius is also mentioned in Acts 18:23b-28. All rights reserved. form of Lat. As Paul wrote this epistle from Corinth, it is probable that this Gaius is identical with (5). The Third Epistle of John was written to Gaius, a faithful member of the Church whom John praised for showing unselfish devotion to the cause of Christ by providing accommodations for God's traveling servants (see 3 John 1:58). Along with Gaius, another Roman Macedonian, Aristarchus was seized by the mob at Ephesus and taken into the theater (Acts 19:29). This is rather. However, some of the Macedonian troop remained behind and waited for him in Ephesus. He is described as the beloved ( ), and is commended for his hospitality (v. 5). Smith's Bible Dictionary - Gaius. Chinese Granite; Imported Granite; Chinese Marble; Imported Marble; China Slate & Sandstone; Quartz stone Throughout the narrative demons will confess Jesus as the Son of God but that confession is not found on human lips until it is given by a Roman centurion at the crucifixion of Jesus (Mark 15:39). According to a fifth century text on the Roman military, a centurion was required to have numerous elite traits: The centurion in the infantry is chosen for his size, strength and dexterity in throwing his missile weapons and for his skill in the use of his sword and shield; in short for his expertness in all the exercises. James Edwards says it well: In Mark, however, the confession is evoked not by miraculous signs, but by Jesus very death, when the centurion heard his cry and saw how he died. The confession the Son of God is causally linked to the death of Jesus on the cross (John 8:28). 54.) azure resource types list (4) Gaius, the host of Paul when he wrote the Epistle to the Roman, and who joined in sending his salutations (Romans 16:23). (2021, September 5). I will say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven. For Peter, it was unclean for him to go into the house of a Gentilemuch less one who is a tanner of dead animal skins. Various paths led to becoming a centurion. Tradition has made him the bishop of Thessalonica. For the story that Mark was telling he didnt want humans to confess Jesus as the Son of God apart from his passion (his suffering and death on the cross). He has faith that Jesus is able to speak a word and his servant will be healed. Gaius was evangelically generous, and he opened his home, heart, and hand to everyone in need. 6 "Lord," he said, "my servant lies at home paralyzed, suffering terribly." 7 Jesus said to him, "Shall I come and heal him?" https://www.learnreligions.com/what-is-a-centurion-700679 (accessed March 4, 2023). Emendations of the text have been suggested by which of Derbe is taken with Timothy, but these are purely conjectural, and Timothy was apparently a Lystran (Acts 16:1-2). Yet, what happens in Acts 10 is incredibly important for the spread of the gospel. Gaius [N] [E] [H] or Caius ( lord )--. The name Gaius was very common in those days. In battle, centurions stood on the front line, leading their men. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your device and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. Gaius, rejoiced, I am glad). "Entry for 'GAIUS'". Have We Turned Our Favorite Preachers and Teachers into Idols? ","name":"Who Is Gaius in the Bible? No, Jesus identity is confirmed by His suffering not by extraordinary displays. The religious leaders of the day did not seem to approach God with the same level of humility or curiosity, and likely found themselves outside the kingdom. Centurions played a big role in the Roman world. He is a figure in the New Testament of the Bible. A centurion (pronounced cen-TU-ri-un) was an officer in the army of ancient Rome. This common Roman name is shared by four men, and some writers find it difficult to differentiate between them. (, Of Derbe. Jack Zavada is a writer who covers the Bible, theology, and other Christianity topics. 54.) The servant is healed because Jesus is working to overcome evil. Christians loved Gaius as their brother in Christ. A Christian in Corinth; one of two men whom Paul names as having been baptized by him, contrary to his usual practice (1 Cor 1:14, 17). Learn Religions. CTRL + SPACE for auto-complete. It is this simple faith that Mark has been exhibiting for his readers through the entire narrative. Get the BEST VALUE in digital Bible study as you prepare for Easter. The third missionary journey of Paul includes Gaius. Follow Christ's journey to the Cross. And I have sinned against you. When their ship struck a reef and was sinking, the soldiers wanted to kill all the prisoners, because the soldiers would pay with their lives for any who escaped. New International Version (NIV). A centurion might carry a cane or cudgel made from a hardened vine, as a symbol of rank. (. They apparently were the delegates from the churches who went with Paul to Jerusalem with the collection. Yet another centurion is mentioned in Acts 10. This site is a proud member of the Salem Web Network, a subsidiary of, Copyright 2023, Crosswalk.com. He transferred over to the 10th legion as a junior-grade centurion in 61 BC when it was first formed, after being handpicked by Caesar. 2. ga'-yus (Gaios; Westcott and Hort, The New Testament in Greek, Gaios): (1) The Gaius to whom 3 Joh is addressed. "What Is a Centurion?" Zavada, Jack. They are only minor characters in the Bible, but when they do appear they make an immediate impact. The name Gaius (, Caius), which were a common Roman name, were mentioned five times in the New Testament, of three or four men. At the time of Christ, most carried a gladius, asword 18 to 24 inches long with a cup-shaped pommel. As a result, his name remains enshrined in holy writ. Of Derbe. Paul also saw Gaius as an example of an evangelically generous Christian. Pilate symbolically washed his hands of the matter and handed Jesus over to the centurion and his soldiers to be executed. "What Is a Centurion?" ). Paul commended Gaius for being a Christian and for his faithfulness to Paul. It is natural to do so, as the passages stand so close together. Zavada, Jack. The elder unto the well-beloved Gaius Gaius, or, according to the Latin orthography, Caius, was a common name among the Romans. This Roman centurion teaches us the centrality of the cross. ( 1Corinthians 1:14 ; Romans 16:23 ) (These are supposed by some to be only one person.) From some of the context in which the word appears, the reader may be able to discern that a centurion has something to do with the military. The variant reading , G1523, in Codex D makes him a Macedonian from Doberius. He was associated with the apostle Paul. He was the means that God used to keep his promise of deliverance. Find out here. One did not become a centurion without having your mettle tested in the throes of battle. A righteous centurion named Cornelius and his entire family were baptized by Peter and were some of the first Gentiles to become Christians. In Biblical Names the meaning of the name Gaius is: Lord; an earthly man. In Acts 15, as the church is debating the implications of Gentile inclusion, Cornelius is given as a test case. Was Gaius a Roman soldier in the Bible? But this centurion seemed to know and believe that Jesus could accomplish whatever he desired. In the early years of the Roman Republic, centurions might be rewarded with a tract of land in Italy when their term of service was finished, but over the centuries, as the best land had all been parceled out, some received only worthless, rocky plots on hillsides. Early church literature contains no mention of the epistle, with the first reference to it appearing in the middle of the third century. In Acts 19:29, a companion of St. Paul, who withAristarchuswas seized at Ephesus. What Does It Mean That There Is No One Holy Like God? In fact, Jews suspected that Paul brought Trophimus into the temple area, and that led to his arrest. (, Of Corinth, whom Paul baptized and who was his host in his second journey in that city. 10 Reasons God Might Not Be Blessing Your Life, Inspiring Mother Breaks Down after Earning Golden Buzzer with Celine Dion Hit, 7 Things that Will Keep Me from Coming Back to Your Church, 6 Truths about Jesus Coming into the World, 9 Christians You Don't Want to Sit Beside on Sunday Morning, 10 Things You Should Know about the Intermediate State of Death, 'You Raise Me Up' Duet Earns A Standing Ovation From The Judges, 7 Things I Would Do Differently if I Were Raising My Children Again. In 3 John 1:1, the person to whom 3 John is addressed. He has faith that Jesus is able to speak a word and his servant will be healed. Nothing is known of this Gaius, and there is no reason to suppose him to have been any one of those of the same name associated with St. Paul. GAIUS. Paul and his travelling companions, Aristarchus and Gaius, were in a state of confusion and scuffles. Gaius appears in the bible four other times. Posted On 7, 2022. Later, Aristarchus returned with Paul from Greece to Asia (Acts 20:4). The same Gaius who was converted and baptized on St. Pauls first visit to Corinth entertained him on his second visit. or Caius (lord )-- A Macedonian who accompanied Paul in his travels, and whose life was in danger from the mob at Ephesus. In contrast, Gaius lived a life of faithfulness, a life marked by both truth and love. In Romans 16:23, a member of the Church of Corinth, whom St. Paul in the postscript to Romans calls his host and the host of the whole church, and whoso salutations are sent to the readers of the letter. The book of Acts describes the situation in Corinth as chaotic and unorganized. Follow Christ's journey to the Cross. 39K views 3 weeks ago Gaius Is Certainly the Centurion with the sick servant! A Macedonian Christian; as Paul's companions in travel, he and Aristarchus were seized by the mob during the Ephesian riot ( Acts 19:29 ). Aristarchus and Gaius were also listed as traveling companions of Paul in the Corinth greeting to Rome. A centurion, as the name indicates, was in charge of a regiment of at least 100 men. Who was the Roman soldier that followed Jesus? Christ saves men of all nationalities and as they come into union with Christ they too are given the Holy Spirit. He also publicly criticised the apostle John and his associates. Roman centurions certainly would have been at home in the ways of power and authority. Crispus was the ruler of the synagogue (Acts 18:8), andGaiuswas presumably also a convert of some importance. This promise looks perilous upon a shipwreck. Gaius (biblical figure) Gaius is the Greek spelling for the male Roman name Caius, a figure in the New Testament of the Bible . Zavada, Jack. For an inferior to disobey a centurion was just as if they were disobeying the emperor. In this reading, you will note four wonderful things that are said of this good man Gaius:. Company Information; FAQ; Stone Materials. Yet, centurions were also among those of whom Jesus is in the business of redeeming. If you have any questions, please review our Privacy Policy or email us at privacy@biblegateway.com. The apostle had a conflict with the church leader Diotrophes.