Justus Ἰοῦστος
Jesus Justus, a Jewish believer who supported Paul
Who is Justus in the Bible?
Jesus Justus was a Jewish believer and co-worker with the apostle Paul, mentioned in Colossians 4:11 during Paul's imprisonment. He is identified as one of only a few Jewish converts who stood alongside Paul and offered him comfort and support during a difficult period of his ministry. Paul specifically commended Jesus Justus, along with Aristarchus and Mark, as fellow workers for the kingdom of God, noting their significance as Jewish believers in his circle of companions. His dual name, combining the Jewish "Jesus" with the Roman surname "Justus," indicates he was a Hellenistic Jew who bridged both cultures. The inclusion of Jesus Justus in Paul's greetings underscores the importance of faithful Jewish believers in the early church and their crucial encouragement to Paul during his trials.
Biography
Jesus Justus is mentioned in Col.4.11 as one of the few Jewish believers who supported Paul during his imprisonment. The context of the passage is Paul's final greetings and instructions to the Colossian church, where he mentions several individuals who have been a comfort and support to him (Col.4.7-18).
In his greeting, Paul identifies Jesus Justus as one of his fellow workers for the kingdom of God, along with Aristarchus, Mark, and Epaphras (Col.4.10-12). He specifically notes that Jesus Justus, Aristarchus, and Mark are the only Jewish believers among his co-workers, emphasizing their importance and the encouragement they provided to him.
The fact that Jesus Justus is mentioned by both his Jewish name (Jesus) and his Roman surname (Justus) suggests that he was a Hellenistic Jew who had adopted a Roman name, possibly indicating his familiarity with Gentile culture and his ability to relate to both Jewish and Gentile believers.
Paul's mention of Jesus Justus as a fellow worker and a source of comfort during his imprisonment highlights the significance of Jewish believers who embraced the gospel message and supported Paul's ministry. It also underscores the unity and collaboration among believers from different backgrounds in the early church.
Apart from this brief mention in Paul's letter to the Colossians, no other information about Jesus Justus' life, conversion, or specific contributions to Paul's ministry.
In Scripture
1 biblical book ; 1 with study contentColossians 1 verse
- Colossians 4:11
"Jesus, who is called Justus, also sends greetings. These are the only Jews among my fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me."
Study Colossians →
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Named | Greek | Ἰοῦστος | Ioûstos | Justus, the name of three Christian |
| Named | Greek | Ἰησοῦς | Iēsoûs | Jesus (i.e. Jehoshua), the name of our Lord and two (three) other Israelites |