Erastus Inscription (Corinth)
Pavement laid by an aedile named Erastus — possibly Paul's friend the city treasurer
Found 1929 — American School of Classical Studies at Athens (T. Leslie Shear); a further piece found 1947
Where Ancient Corinth, near the theater (Greece)
Dates from mid-1st century CE (dating debated) · Early Roman Imperial · Paul's stay in Corinth; writing of Romans
Now at In situ at Ancient Corinth (archaeological site), Greece
Names a biblical person Erastus (identification with Rom 16:23 probable, not certain)
How Erastus Inscription (Corinth) was found
Found in place in a paved plaza northeast of the theater; the letters were once filled with bronze. The plaza was laid at the aedile's expense as the inscription says.
What it is
A Latin inscription cut into limestone paving blocks: ERASTVS PRO AEDILIT[AT]E S P STRAVIT — 'Erastus, in return for his aedileship, laid this pavement at his own expense.' The stones are about 2 metres across.
Why it matters for the Bible
Romans 16:23, written from Corinth, sends greetings from 'Erastus the city treasurer (oikonomos).' Many scholars think the paving donor is the same man, which would make him one of the few New Testament believers named in stone. Others point out that Erastus was a common name, that oikonomos and aedile are different offices, and that the pavement may be later than Paul. The find shows at least that Corinth had wealthy officials in Paul's circle of possibility.
The Hebrew word: so-CHEN
סוֹכֵן
סוֹכֵן is pronounced so-CHEN and means steward, treasurer (Greek oikonomos, G3623) (Strong's G3623).
People this discovery connects to
- Erastus — אֶרַסְטוֹס (eh-RAHS-tos) — Greek Erastos, 'beloved'
- Paul — שָׁאוּל (Shah-OOL) — asked for (Greek Paulos)
Places
- Corinth — קוֹרִינְתּוֹס (ko-REEN-tos) — Greek Korinthos
Events
Paul writes Romans from Corinth · Erastus sent to Macedonia with Timothy
Erastus Inscription (Corinth) in Scripture
Acts 19:22 Erastus is Paul's helper sent ahead to Macedonia.
Romans 16:23 Erastus 'the city treasurer' greets the Romans from Corinth; this stone names an Erastus who held city office there.
2 Timothy 4:20 'Erastus stayed at Corinth' — the same city as the pavement.
Questions people ask
What is Erastus Inscription (Corinth)?
A Latin inscription cut into limestone paving blocks: ERASTVS PRO AEDILIT[AT]E S P STRAVIT — 'Erastus, in return for his aedileship, laid this pavement at his own expense.' The stones are about 2 metres across.
When was Erastus Inscription (Corinth) discovered?
It was found in 1929 by American School of Classical Studies at Athens (T. Leslie Shear); a further piece found 1947, at Ancient Corinth, near the theater.
Where is Erastus Inscription (Corinth) today?
In situ at Ancient Corinth (archaeological site), Greece.
Which Bible verses does Erastus Inscription (Corinth) relate to?
Acts 19:22, Romans 16:23, 2 Timothy 4:20.
Is Erastus Inscription (Corinth) authentic?
Authenticity is certain; whether this Erastus is the one in Romans 16:23 is genuinely disputed. Dating ranges from the mid-1st to the 2nd century.
Related discoveries
- שׁוּקCorinth Meat Market (Macellum) InscriptionLatin stone naming the market where meat 'sold in the shambles' came from
- תֵּאַטְרוֹןTheater of CorinthRoman theater beside the Erastus pavement, seat of the city's public life
- עִבְרִים'Synagogue of the Hebrews' Lintel (Corinth)Marble doorway block from a Jewish meeting house in Paul's Corinth
- בֵּימָהGallio Inscription (Delphi)Letter of Emperor Claudius naming Gallio proconsul of Achaia — the anchor date for Paul's ministry
- בֵּימָהThe Bema at CorinthThe judgment platform in the forum where Paul stood before Gallio
- דֶּרֶךְVia Egnatia and the Port of NeapolisThe Roman highway and harbour that carried the Good News into Europe
Sources
- J. H. Kent, Corinth VIII.3: The Inscriptions 1926–1950 (1966), no. 232
- Wikipedia, 'Erastus of Corinth'