Theophilus Θεόφιλος
Recipient of Luke's Gospel and Acts
Who is Theophilus in the Bible?
Theophilus was the recipient of Luke's Gospel and the Book of Acts, addressed as "most excellent Theophilus" in Luke 1:3 and Acts 1:1. Based on this honorific title, he was likely a person of high social or political standing, possibly a Roman official or wealthy patron of the early church. Luke wrote his Gospel to provide Theophilus with an orderly, comprehensive account of Jesus' life and teachings based on eyewitness testimony, and Acts continues this narrative by documenting the growth and mission of the early church. While Theophilus' exact identity remains unknown, his designation as "most excellent" suggests he was a specific Christian convert of prominence rather than a generic representation of all believers. Theophilus holds significance in Christian history as the dedicatee of two major New Testament works that form a connected two-volume narrative of Jesus' ministry and the apostolic church.
Biography
Theophilus is mentioned in Luk.1.3 and Act.1.1 as the recipient of these two books written by Luke. He is addressed as "most excellent Theophilus," indicating a person of high social or political standing, possibly a Roman official or a wealthy benefactor of the church. Luke states that he wrote his Gospel to provide Theophilus with an orderly account of the life and teachings of Jesus, based on eyewitness testimonies. The Book of Acts, also addressed to Theophilus, continues the narrative of the early church's growth and mission. The dedication suggests that Theophilus was a Christian who had received some instruction in the faith but needed a more comprehensive understanding. No other details are provided about Theophilus' background, conversion, or role in the church. His identity remains unknown, but his mention reflects the importance of written accounts in transmitting and confirming the gospel message for believers.
In Scripture
2 biblical books ; 2 with study contentLuke 1 verse
- Luke 1:3
"Therefore, having carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus,"
Study Luke →
Acts 1 verse
- Acts 1:1
"In my first book, O Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach,"
Study Acts →
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Named | Greek | Θεόφιλος | Theóphilos | friend of God; Theophilus, a Christian |
Theophilus
has been suggested that Theophilus is merely a generic term for all Christians, but the epithet "most excellent" implies it was applied by Luke to a definite person, probably a Roman official, whom he held in high respect. Theophilus may have been the presbyter who took part in sending the letter from the Corinthians to Paul, given in the "Acta Pauli" (compare Hennecke, Neutestamentliche Apokryphen, 378). There is also a magistrate Theophilus mentioned in the "Ac of James" as being converted by James on his way to India (compare Budge, The Contendings of the Apostles, II, 299), but these and other identifications, together with other attempts to trace out the further history of the original Theophilus, are without sufficient evidence for their establishment (compare also Knowling in The Expositor Greek Testament, II, 49-51).
C. M. Kerr
the'-ras (Thera): The river by which the company assembled in preparation for the march to Jerusalem under Ezra (1 Esdras 8:41,61). In Ezr 8:21,31</re