Gaius in the Bible, a man of Derbe was one of the companions alongside Paul on his third missionary journey. 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. Rather than excluding outside ministries, Christians prioritize communal involvement and recognize the importance of uniting beyond individual churches to grow the faith collectively. Gaius, rejoiced, I am glad). He went with Paul from Corinth in his last journey to Jerusalem. In Acts 10 the centurion is named. Cookie Notice We are warned, Whoever runs ahead and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ, does not have God. Gaius In The Bible - CHURCHGISTS.COM Do stagnant California credit scores suggest consumer struggles? Gaius Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com His unyielding spirit of love and servitude made him an exemplary model for Christians everywhere. John understood truth to be the most valuable virtue. A centurion, as the name indicates, was in charge of a regiment of at least 100 men. cjxo_0z. Without truth, these values become nothing but fabrications of our own making. Copyright 2023, Bible Study Tools. May we have his faith. Its possible that Gaius is one and the same. WebRomans 16:23. WebGAIUS g ys (, G1127, Gr. Was it due to something within him, or was it something in the people who loved Gaius that expressed unconditional kindness? To act faithfully is to be a dependable Christian whom others can trust in all circumstances, regardless of the cost. Claudius was no friend of the Jews and would later throw them all out of the city because they rioted, allegedly led by a man named Chestus, but Herod was useful and the Jewish king kept his office. He was a leader in a church and he welcomed teachers into his house. Romans The discipline and efficiency of the legion as a fighting unit depended on them.Most centurions were men who had been in the military for 15-20 years and had earned this position of leading troops on the front line of battle. Let us take a moment to appreciate Gaius and all that he stands for. Paul wrote about Gaius in two letters: 1 and 2 Corinthians. Hastings Dictionary of the New Testament. Attempts have been made to identify3and4. See more. He was also noted for his important reforms of Roman armies. They are, at times, juxtaposed with religious leaders of whom you would expect to be the men of faith. When Paul got home, he found out that his friends had been talking about him behind his back. Christians often look to their spiritual leaders for guidance, and this is reflected in the way they interact with other Christian leaders in their church. Gaius in the Bible was a person of extraordinary faithfulness. He rubbed shoulders with some of the most famous people in the New Testament. But only three years later, Herod celebrated some games in Caesarea in honor of the emperor, where he appeared in a brilliant silver robe. According to the writings of Josephus (The War of the Jews), the books of the Maccabees, as well as archeological sources, there are multiple accounts of a Roman soldier named Quintus. 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. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. This sub is a place for all people, Christian, Jew, Muslim, atheist, etc. One Gaius was St. Pauls host at Corinth, converted and baptized by him ( Romans 16:23 , 1 Corinthians 1:14 ). All rights reserved., God and Cancer: How God is Fighting My Battle with Cancer, Loneliness in the Bible and 3 Ways to Overcome it with the Power of Scripture. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. Gaius Marius (Latin: ; c. 157 BC 13 January 86 BC) was a Roman general, politician, and statesman. The Bible tells us that Gaius was an incredibly generous host to traveling ministers, showing hospitality beyond the norm. With this reading he could readily be identified with 1. above. With these two principles, John encourages us to live out our faith and to continue to build a faithful community. Take Johns insights into Gaius, a leader within a local church or group of churches, as an example. You may enjoy this video on Gauis in the Bible. This particular Gaius had joined Pauls group in Greece and remained with them until they reached Troas, in modern-day Turkey. Proud member In his childhood, it was assumed that young Gaius would enter a military career when he was older and follow in his fathers footsteps. For more detailed information, please visit ourAffiliate Disclaimerpage. This was too much, and the Praetorian Guard stormed the imperial palace and arrested the murderers, and finding Caligulas uncle Claudius hiding in a wardrobe, acclaimed him to be the next emperor. As seen in the Bible, Gaius serves as a powerful reminder of what godly church leadership looks like: courage, a servants heart, faith, and accountability. Now it is perhaps easier to believe that thisCorinthianwould have friends, whom he would wish to salute, atEphesusrather than at Rome, and these salutations in Romans 16:23are thought by some scholars to point to anEphesiandestination of the passage. and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.. The name Gaius in the Bible Etymology and meaning of the name Gaius He was elected to consul a record seven times. Equally important was that Caligula granted him the title of king which secured Herods hold on power. This shift offers a unique insight into the power of Gaius love. Of Derbe. WebRomans 16:23 Gaius mine host There was one Gaius a Macedonian, that was with the apostle at Ephesus, ( Acts 19:29 ) ; and another Gaius of Derbe, that accompanied him into Asia, ( Acts 20:4 ) ; whether either of these, as the latter seems more probable, was this person, is not certain. Tiberius was the ruler who appointed Pontius Pilate to be the governor of Judea and it was in his reign that Jesus was crucified. What Does Colossians 2:6-7 Teach Us about Our Faith Walk? He triumphed in the Roman Civil War but was assassinated by those who believed that he was becoming too powerful. He has faith that Jesus is able to speak a word and his servant will be healed. He is spoken of as "the beloved" (3 John 1:1,2,5,11 ), "walking Upon his succession in 37, Caligula won enormous popularity by ending the trials and granting a universal pardon to all accused of treason. Its not all the other signs and wonders which evoke faith. We should welcome strangers as Christ did when He healed the sick and fed the hungry in Matthew 25:35-40 (NIV). This approach is misguided and undermines the power of true faith rooted in unshakable truth. For Luke the centurion will respond to the signs and wonders and extraordinary phenomena and say, truly this man was the Son of God. Required fields are marked *. Beloved Gaius in the Bible, renowned for his extraordinary love, was an esteemed figure in the Christian community. 2. Paul would argue similarly in the book of Galatians. The letter is written to a man named Gaius. We can learn much even today from these Roman centurions. Erastus, the city treasurer, and our brother Quartus, greet you. Sadly, many Christians rely heavily upon their own emotions and preferences when it comes to forming the pillars of their faith. Gaius gave them food and water, and they stayed with him while they were in prison. But the poor widow woman has nothing to offer. He is described as the beloved ( ), and is commended for his hospitality (v. 5). Rather than describing Gaius as The loving Gaius, signaling his capacity to love others, John turns it around and presents him as The beloved Gaius, emphasizing the love others had for him. Faithfulness points to a deeper kind of commitment: a commitment to serving Christ in all we do and embodying His love in our daily lives. Church leadership plays an important role in the New Testament, particularly in recognizing godly leaders and avoiding those who do not follow godly rules. Beloved, it is a faithful thing you do in all your efforts for these brothers, strangers as they are. 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). Your email address will not be published. Gaius in the Bible, 5 of His Godly Characteristics and What 3 John In 84 B.C., he married Cornelia, the daughter of an ally of Marius. Gaius Marius | Roman general | Britannica 1. His mother was Agrippina the elder, the granddaughter of Caesar Augustus, in whose reign Christ was born and who ordered the famous census which caused Mary and Joseph to visit Bethlehem. Did he preach about love and compassion? Unfortunately, the province he chose to start with was Judea. As Christians, we are called to serve one another by sharing our resources with those who need them most. As Christians, we understand the importance of loving one another, but we should also remember that we have the right to set boundaries and refuse to accept abuse. One chapter later, a Gaius from Derbe is named as one of Pauls seven traveling companions who waited for him at Troas (Acts 20:4). A Macedonian Christian; as Pauls companions in travel, he and Aristarchus were seized by the mob during the Ephesian riot (Acts 19:29). By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. Even today we have lessons to learn from these Roman centurions. It means sacrificing personal interests to serve the Church and its members faithfully and consistently, demonstrating commitment and dedication. For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?. His story serves as a great reminder to Christians today of the faithfulness of God and reminds us to hold fast to our convictions even in dangerous circumstances. This is a profound responsibility and requires more than just words; it necessitates action. Gaius grew up in the reign of the first two emperors, Augustus and his stepson, Tiberius, and he knew them both well. In doing so, John highlights an important truth of Christianitythat through the power of love, we can all experience being treasured as beloved and valued individuals. played the fiddle while Rome burned Students also viewed. We can remain steadfast, like Gaius in the Bible, standing firm in our hope that one day we will be reunited with the glory of immortality. (, Of Derbe. While this behavior does not reflect Gods will for the Church, Diotrephes has not crossed any doctrinal or ethical lines in his actions. Romans Gaius New International Version (NIV), Lockyer's All the Men of the Bible Gaius. His story, backed by Scripture and a modern-day application, provides us an example of a leader who serves to bring others closer to faith rather than cause them to walk away. In addition to sharing our time and talents (Matthew 25:35-40), this can include inviting friends over for dinner or letting someone stay with you if they need temporary housing (Luke 14:12-14). WebRomans 16:23 ESV Gaius, who is host to me and to the whole church, greets you. There is no evidence to identify him with any of the above. If so, he was, again according to Orthodox tradition, Bishop of Ephesus after Timothy. 3. The healing happens not because he is worthy, due to his position, but the healing happens because of the goodness of Jesus. Gregory Elder, a Redlands resident, is professor emeritus in history and humanities at Moreno Valley College and a Roman Catholic priest. Privacy Policy | Bamboo on Trellis Framework by Mediavine, Third Epistle of John Two Lessons from Gaius in the Bible, Godly Leaders Served the Local Church, Often at their Own Sacrifice, Godly Leaders are Not After Their Own Gain, Woman of Noble Character Affiliate Program, Christians often believe that simply consuming more Bible study, Christians often view their faith as a tool for personal, The Gaius Diary (First-Century Diaries (Seedsowers)). However, the key to true healing and lasting spiritual prosperity lies in a much larger purpose utilizing Christianity to help heal and benefit others. Home | About | Contact | Copyright | Privacy | Cookie Policy | Terms & Conditions | Sitemap. Now is the time to step up as Gaius did, to boldly and faithfully lead our churches with humility, courage, and accountability. Not content to support only his own church, he showed hospitality to fellow Christian workers by extending financial help. The fifth documented miracle of Jesus was the healing of Simon Peters mother-in-law and was recorded in several of the Gospels including Luke 4:38-41. Therefore we ought to support people like these, that we may be fellow workers for the truth. For Christians, the Bible serves as the source for guiding and developing leadership, providing wisdom, and calling believers to serve others. A Christian, Gaius is mentioned in Macedonia asa traveling companion of Paul, along with Aristarchus(Acts 19:29). This can be done through reading the Bible or listening to sermons. 1. John commended Gaius in the Bible for his zeal in offering generous support to Christian preachers (1:5,7,8a). Being loveable is a two-way endeavor. 22 (3) Gaius of Derbe, who was among those who accompanied Paul from Greece "as far as Asia," during his third missionary journey (Acts 20:4). By staying close to it, we can be sure to make decisions that are aligned with His will. He is spoken of as "the beloved" (3John 1:1,2,5,11), "walking in the truth" (3John 1:3,4), and doing "a faithful work" "toward them that are brethren and strangers withal" (3John 1:5,6). Another person named Gaius was from Macedonia ( Acts 19:29) and another from Derbe ( Acts 20:4). Mere days into it, his mind and body began to wither, and by mid-January, 86 BCE, he died, reportedly of pleurisy, at around the age of 70. Did he cast out demons and raise the dead? Gaius is the Greek spelling for the male Roman name Caius, a figure in the New Testament of the Bible. This would have been a difficult ask for both Cornelius and Peter. All rights reserved. He performed his ministry with integrity and commitment, making him a dependable example of a good steward of the manifold grace. Despite the fact that the specifics of Gaiuss ministry may not be known, his faithfulness and goodness shine through, making him a perfect example of what it looks like to serve the Lord faithfully. BEST VALUE in digital Bible study. We have the proverb that a man is known by the company he keeps. Let us focus on refining our own characters, remembering that how we love others is often a reflection of how we love ourselves. In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. This site is a proud member of the Salem Web Network, a subsidiary of, Copyright 2023, Crosswalk.com. Today, well look at Johns third epistle (read 1:1). Caligula was also on extremely good terms with a member of the Jewish royal house: Herod Agrippa. Gaius Marius was one of the most important leaders of the Roman Republic. Access 50+ premium resources. Gaius - Lockyer's All the Men of the Bible - Bible Gateway Everything points to the identification of1and2. But it also means opening our lives up to new people and cultures around us. Who delivered the letter to the Ephesians? Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Looted monastery manuscripts rediscovered during office renovation, Professing Faith: Question of fate has challenged Western religions for thousands of years, Kansas legislators impose sweeping anti-trans bathroom law, Denied an abortion, woman tells senators she nearly died on their watch, Montana GOP bans trans lawmaker from 2023 House session, The dad whose wife and child were among 5 killed by a neighbor in Texas describes how the massacre unfolded. But Tiberius was not dead yet and such remarks were treason and Herod found himself in prison. Here are four of his outstanding traits: Gaius faith, hope, and love shine brightly as an inspiring example for all Christians. By submitting your email address, you understand that you will receive email communications from Bible Gateway, a division of The Zondervan Corporation, 3900 Sparks Drive SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546 USA, including commercial communications and messages from partners of Bible Gateway. Most of these charges were leveled against him by irritated senators who had no reason to love the dictatorial rule of the caesars. In Biblical Names the meaning of the name Gaius is: Lord; an earthly man. Nero. Caesar Augustus: An Archaeological Biography. In Acts 19:29, a companion of St. Paul, who withAristarchuswas seized at Ephesus. Beyond New Testament references (and the above mentioned Pilate Stone), Pilate is known through the work of the Jewish philosopher Philo of Alexandria (Embassy to Gaius 304305), the writings of the Jewish historian Josephus (Jewish Wars 2.169177), as well as many second-century texts. He was one of those who were seized by Demetrius and the other silversmiths in the riot at Ephesus, during Paul's third missionary journey. They nicknamed him Caligula, which means Little Boots. In later years he despised that name but it stuck. Upon arrival in Rome, Pilate was notified of the imperial pardon and set free. These virtues, fundamental to the Christian faith, provide us with a guiding light on our own journey of faith. Each had a unique role to play in advancing the Gospel, from Gaius of Macedonia, an early convert of Paul, to Gaius of Derbe, one of Pauls traveling companions. And its found on the lips of this unexpected Gentile military commander. As Christians, we are called to live a life of love. Crispus and Gaius He was a man of humble means who lived in Corinth and was a member of the church there. At our church, home groups serve as a beating heart for our community; our home group leaders are its vital lifeblood. As home group leaders, we must strive to lead in godliness and, as those of us being led well, desire to become godly leaders ourselves so that others can experience the same blessings. 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. In Acts 27, God (through an angel) revealed to Paul that he would survive his travel and speak before Caesar. It seemed that Gaius actually did die but Merlin arrived and, enraged by the death of his friend and mentor, slew Nimueh.