Julius Ἰούλιος
A centurion of the Augustan Cohort
Who is Julius in the Bible?
Julius was a centurion of the Augustan Cohort, a special Roman military unit, who was assigned to escort the apostle Paul to Rome for trial before Caesar (Acts 27:1). During their sea voyage, Julius demonstrated kindness toward Paul by allowing him to visit friends and receive care when the ship stopped at Sidon (Acts 27:3). Though Julius appears briefly in Scripture, his treatment of Paul reflects the respect that Roman officials sometimes showed toward the apostle despite his prisoner status. Julius's role in Paul's journey underscores the sovereignty of God in accomplishing Paul's mission to bring the gospel to Rome, as Paul had desired and as the Lord had promised him (Acts 23:11).
Biography
Julius is mentioned in Act.27.1 and Act.27.3 as a centurion of the Augustan Cohort who was responsible for escorting Paul to Rome. The context of the passage is Paul's journey to Rome as a prisoner, where he would stand trial before Caesar (Act.25.11-12; 27.1-44).
As a centurion, Julius was a Roman officer in charge of a group of soldiers. The Augustan Cohort was a special unit, possibly associated with the imperial household or the emperor himself. Julius' assignment to escort Paul to Rome indicates the importance of Paul's case and the Roman authorities' interest in ensuring his safe arrival.
During the journey, Julius treated Paul kindly and allowed him to visit his friends and receive care from them when they stopped at Sidon (Act.27.3). This act of kindness suggests that Julius recognized Paul's unique status as a Roman citizen and an important prisoner.
Throughout the difficult sea voyage, which included a shipwreck on the island of Malta (Act.27.41-44), Julius played a significant role in ensuring Paul's safety and the safety of the other prisoners. His actions demonstrate the respect and fair treatment that Paul received from some Roman officials during his imprisonment and journey to Rome.
Apart from his role in escorting Paul to Rome, no other details about Julius' life or military career are provided in the Bible.
In Scripture
1 biblical book ; 1 with study contentActs 2 verses
- Acts 27:1
"When it was decided that we would sail for Italy, Paul and some other prisoners were handed over to a centurion named Julius, who belonged to the Imperial Regiment."
Study Acts → - Acts 27:3
"The next day we landed at Sidon, and Julius treated Paul with consideration, allowing him to visit his friends and receive their care."
Study Acts →
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script |
|---|---|---|
| Named | Greek | Ἰούλιος |
Encyclopedia Article
ISBE 1915 (Public Domain)