Carpus Κάρπος
Paul's friend in Troas
Who is Carpus in the Bible?
Carpus was a friend and trusted associate of the apostle Paul who lived in Troas, a city on the northwest coast of Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey). He appears only once in Scripture, in 2 Timothy 4:13, where Paul asks Timothy to retrieve his cloak, books, and parchments that he had left with Carpus during his travels. The fact that Paul entrusted these important personal belongings to Carpus suggests a deep relationship and considerable confidence between them, likely indicating that Carpus was one of Paul's converts. Though little else is known about him, Carpus represents the network of faithful believers and supporters who sustained Paul's ministry throughout the early church and provided crucial assistance to the apostle during his missionary journeys.
Biography
Carpus was a resident of Troas, a city located on the northwest coast of Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey). He is mentioned only once in the Bible, in 2Ti.4.13, where the apostle Paul asks Timothy to bring the cloak, books, and parchments that he had left with Carpus in Troas. This request suggests that Carpus was a trusted friend or associate of Paul, who had provided lodging or assistance to the apostle during his travels. The fact that Paul left important personal belongings with Carpus indicates a level of familiarity and trust between them. Although no further details about Carpus are provided in the Bible, his brief mention in Paul's letter to Timothy offers a glimpse into the network of believers and supporters that sustained Paul's ministry in the early church.
In Scripture
1 biblical book ; 1 with study content2 Timothy 1 verse
- 2 Timothy 4:13
"When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, and my scrolls, especially the parchments."
Study 2 Timothy →
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Named | Greek | Κάρπος | karpós | fruit (as plucked), literally or figuratively |
Carpus
s confined during his second imprisonment. The name, common enough in Paul's day, signifies "fruit" (Young) or "wrist" (Davis). The words indicate that Paul must have been very well acquainted with the family of Carpus. He was presumably one of his converts; and the apostle must have lodged with him and also have had considerable confidence in him, since he committed to his care not only the comparatively valueless "cloak," but especially the priceless "books and parchments." It is idle to attempt to find out the identity of Carpus, but one cannot help wondering what were the contents of these books and parchments for which the apostle longed in his bitter second imprisonment.
Henry E. Dosken
kar'-ij (keli, kebhuddah, nesu'ah; episkeuasamenoi; the Revised Version (British and American) "We took up our baggage"; the American Revised Version, margin "made ready"): One or the other of the above words occurs