Fortunatus

Biblical Record

Fortunatus appears only once in Scripture, in 1 Corinthians 16:17. Paul wrote this letter from Ephesus (1 Corinthians 16:8). Near its close Paul writes, "I am glad of the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus," and he gives the reason: "for that which was lacking on your part they have supplied." In the next verse Paul says, "they have refreshed my spirit and yours," and he urges the Corinthians, "therefore acknowledge ye them that are such" (1 Corinthians 16:18).

The text shows only that Fortunatus was connected with the church at Corinth and that he traveled to see Paul in person. Scripture does not record his occupation, social status, or later life.

Significance in Scripture

Fortunatus is a Latin name meaning "fortunate" or "blessed"; the Korean form, Beudeunado, is a transliteration of it. He is portrayed as someone who personally traveled between a distant church and the apostle and so helped sustain their fellowship. Paul regarded the visit as making up for the absence of the Corinthian church as a whole.

Interpretation and Debated Points

The following points are conjectures that the text does not state directly.

• On the basis of the phrase "the things whereof ye wrote unto me" in 1 Corinthians 7:1, some scholars suggest that these men carried a letter from the Corinthian church to Paul.
• Some infer from their names that Fortunatus and Achaicus may have been slaves or freedmen belonging to the household of Stephanas. This has not been confirmed.
• Some later manuscripts include a subscription stating that these men delivered the letter. This subscription is not regarded as part of the original text.
• A person of the same name appears in 1 Clement, a document from the late first century. Some identify him with the Fortunatus of 1 Corinthians, but the identification has not been confirmed.

In the Korean Church

Sermons or study materials devoted to Fortunatus alone are rare. He is usually mentioned along with Stephanas and Achaicus in expositions of 1 Corinthians 16. In such treatments he is often presented as an example of a believer who served the church and its ministers with little recognition.