Revision #11727
Theophilus
Localized for English-speaking readers
Status: approved
Changes from the previous English revision
= ## Biblical Record
- Theophilus appears twice in the Bible. In both instances, the author addresses him at the opening of a book. The author of both books is traditionally identified as Luke.
+ Theophilus is mentioned twice in the Bible, each time when the author addresses him at the opening of a book. Tradition identifies the author of both books as Luke.
=
- - **Luke 1:3** – The author states that he has carefully investigated the events concerning Jesus from the beginning and is setting them down in an orderly account for "most excellent Theophilus." In Luke 1:4 he then states his purpose: to give Theophilus greater certainty about the things he already knows.
- - **Acts 1:1** – Addressing him as "O Theophilus," the author says that his former treatise dealt with what Jesus did and taught. This passage is cited as evidence that Acts is a second volume following the Gospel of Luke.
+ - **Luke 1:3** – The author says that he has carefully traced the things concerning Jesus from the beginning and is writing them in order for "most excellent Theophilus." In Luke 1:4 he states his purpose: "That thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed."
+ - **Acts 1:1** – Addressing him as "O Theophilus," the author says that his "former treatise" dealt with all that Jesus began both to do and to teach. This passage is cited as evidence that Acts is a second volume continuing the Gospel of Luke.
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= Scripture records nothing about his origins, occupation, spiritual journey, or later life.
…
= The name combines the Greek words for "God" (*theos*) and "beloved" or "loving" (*philos*). It is therefore interpreted as "beloved of God" or "one who loves God."
=
- The Greek term rendered "most excellent" (*kratiste*) was an honorific used in addressing persons of high rank. In Acts the same word is used in addressing the governors Felix and Festus (Acts 23:26; 26:25; see Felix and Festus). In Acts 1:1, however, he is addressed by name alone, without the honorific.
+ The Greek term rendered "most excellent" (*kratiste*) was an honorific used in addressing persons of high rank. In Acts the same word is used in addressing the governors Felix and Festus (Acts 23:26; 26:25; see Felix and Festus). In Acts 1:1, however, Theophilus is addressed by name alone, without the honorific.
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= ## Interpretations and Issues
= - **As a historical person**: On the basis of the honorific, this view regards him as a person of high social standing. It was customary at the time to dedicate a work to someone who sponsored or circulated it, and some interpreters see Theophilus as such a patron.
- - **As a symbolic name**: This view focuses on the meaning of the name. It reads Theophilus not as a specific individual but as a name representing every reader who loves God.
- - **Stage of faith**: The phrase "those things, wherein thou hast been instructed" in Luke 1:4 uses a word meaning to have been taught. On this basis, some hold that he was a believer who had already received instruction in the faith. Others hold that he was an outsider interested in Christianity.
+ - **As a symbolic name**: This view focuses on the meaning of the name and reads Theophilus not as a specific individual but as a name representing every reader who loves God.
+ - **Stage of faith**: The phrase "wherein thou hast been instructed" in Luke 1:4 uses a word meaning to have been taught. On this basis, some hold that he was a believer who had already received instruction in the faith. Others hold that he was an outsider interested in Christianity.
=
= Some later traditions connect him with a prominent figure in a particular region or with a church leader. Such accounts, however, have no basis in the biblical text.
=
= ## In the Korean Church
- In the Korean church, Theophilus is mentioned chiefly in Bible studies and sermons introducing the Gospel of Luke and the Book of Acts. His name comes up in explaining that the two books form a continuous work written by one author to one person. Drawing on the meaning of his name, preachers sometimes also apply the figure of "Theophilus" to believers who read the Word today.
+ In Korean Protestant churches, Theophilus is mentioned chiefly in Bible studies and sermons introducing the Gospel of Luke and the Book of Acts. His name is invoked to explain that the two books form a continuous work written by one author to one person. Drawing on the meaning of his name, preachers sometimes also apply the figure of "Theophilus" to believers who read the Word today.
Theophilus is the person whom the author of the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles addresses at the opening of each book. Both books are dedicated to him, and in the Gospel of Luke he is called "most excellent Theophilus."
Theophilus is the person to whom the author of the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles addresses each book at its opening. Both books are dedicated to him, and in the Gospel of Luke he is called "most excellent Theophilus."
Full revision
Theophilus is the person to whom the author of the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles addresses each book at its opening. Both books are dedicated to him, and in the Gospel of Luke he is called "most excellent Theophilus."
Biblical Record
Theophilus is mentioned twice in the Bible, each time when the author addresses him at the opening of a book. Tradition identifies the author of both books as Luke.
- Luke 1:3 – The author says that he has carefully traced the things concerning Jesus from the beginning and is writing them in order for "most excellent Theophilus." In Luke 1:4 he states his purpose: "That thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed."
- Acts 1:1 – Addressing him as "O Theophilus," the author says that his "former treatise" dealt with all that Jesus began both to do and to teach. This passage is cited as evidence that Acts is a second volume continuing the Gospel of Luke.
Scripture records nothing about his origins, occupation, spiritual journey, or later life.
Significance Within Scripture
The name combines the Greek words for "God" (theos) and "beloved" or "loving" (philos). It is therefore interpreted as "beloved of God" or "one who loves God."
The Greek term rendered "most excellent" (kratiste) was an honorific used in addressing persons of high rank. In Acts the same word is used in addressing the governors Felix and Festus (Acts 23:26; 26:25; see Felix and Festus). In Acts 1:1, however, Theophilus is addressed by name alone, without the honorific.
Interpretations and Issues
- As a historical person: On the basis of the honorific, this view regards him as a person of high social standing. It was customary at the time to dedicate a work to someone who sponsored or circulated it, and some interpreters see Theophilus as such a patron.
- As a symbolic name: This view focuses on the meaning of the name and reads Theophilus not as a specific individual but as a name representing every reader who loves God.
- Stage of faith: The phrase "wherein thou hast been instructed" in Luke 1:4 uses a word meaning to have been taught. On this basis, some hold that he was a believer who had already received instruction in the faith. Others hold that he was an outsider interested in Christianity.
Some later traditions connect him with a prominent figure in a particular region or with a church leader. Such accounts, however, have no basis in the biblical text.
In the Korean Church
In Korean Protestant churches, Theophilus is mentioned chiefly in Bible studies and sermons introducing the Gospel of Luke and the Book of Acts. His name is invoked to explain that the two books form a continuous work written by one author to one person. Drawing on the meaning of his name, preachers sometimes also apply the figure of "Theophilus" to believers who read the Word today.