Gaius Γάϊος
Macedonian; Paul's traveling companion; caught in Ephesian riot.
Who is Gaius in the Bible?
Gaius was a Macedonian and traveling companion of Paul who played a minor but significant role during Paul's third missionary journey. In Acts 19:29, Gaius was seized along with Aristarchus by an angry mob during a riot in Ephesus that was instigated by Demetrius, a silversmith whose business making shrines of Artemis was threatened by Paul's Christian preaching. The crowd dragged both men into the theater, though Paul's disciples and local officials prevented him from entering and facing the danger himself. Gaius's arrest illustrates the real physical dangers that Paul and his companions encountered while spreading the gospel in pagan cities and the opposition they faced from those whose livelihoods depended on pagan religious practices.
Biography
Gaius, a Macedonian, was one of Paul's traveling companions during his third missionary journey. In Act.19.29, Gaius and Aristarchus, another Macedonian, were seized by the mob during the riot in Ephesus. The riot was instigated by Demetrius, a silversmith who made shrines of Artemis, because he felt threatened by Paul's preaching and the spread of Christianity in the city. The mob dragged Gaius and Aristarchus into the theater, but Paul was prevented from entering by his disciples and some officials of the province of Asia who were his friends. The incident highlights the opposition and dangers faced by Paul and his companions as they spread the gospel in pagan cities.
In Scripture
1 biblical book ; 1 with study contentActs 1 verse
- Acts 19:29
"Soon the whole city was in disarray. They rushed together into the theatre, dragging with them Gaius and Aristarchus, Paul’s traveling companions from Macedonia."
Study Acts →
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script |
|---|---|---|
| Named | Greek | Γάϊος |