Andronicus is a biblical figure mentioned in the New Testament, specifically in the Apostle Paul's Epistle to the Romans. His name appears in Romans 16:7, where Paul writes, "Greet Andronicus and Junia, my fellow countrymen and fellow prisoners. They are outstanding among the apostles, and they were in Christ before I was" (Berean Standard Bible).

Identity and Background

Andronicus is identified by Paul as a fellow countryman, which suggests that he was of Jewish descent, sharing a common heritage with Paul. The mention of Andronicus being a "fellow prisoner" indicates that he, like Paul, suffered imprisonment for the sake of the Gospel. This detail highlights his commitment and dedication to the early Christian mission, enduring hardships for the faith.

Role in the Early Church

The phrase "outstanding among the apostles" has been the subject of much discussion and interpretation. Some scholars and theologians understand this to mean that Andronicus was highly regarded by the apostles, while others suggest that he himself was considered an apostle. The term "apostle" in the New Testament context can refer to the original Twelve, but it is also used more broadly to describe other early Christian missionaries and leaders who were sent out to spread the Gospel.

Preeminence in Faith

Paul notes that Andronicus and Junia "were in Christ before I was," indicating that they were among the early converts to Christianity, possibly even before Paul's dramatic conversion on the road to Damascus. This suggests that Andronicus was part of the foundational generation of believers who played a significant role in the establishment and spread of the early Church.

Legacy and Influence

The mention of Andronicus in Paul's letter to the Romans, albeit brief, underscores his importance in the early Christian community. His association with Paul and his commendation as "outstanding" reflect a legacy of faithfulness and leadership. Andronicus serves as an example of the diverse and dedicated individuals who contributed to the growth and strength of the early Church, enduring persecution and remaining steadfast in their mission.

Cultural and Historical Context

The name Andronicus is of Greek origin, meaning "man of victory," which was a common name in the Hellenistic world. This reflects the cultural diversity of the early Christian movement, which included individuals from various ethnic and cultural backgrounds united in their faith in Christ.

In summary, Andronicus is a notable figure in the New Testament, recognized for his early conversion, his suffering for the Gospel, and his esteemed position among the apostles. His mention in Romans 16:7 provides a glimpse into the lives of those who were instrumental in the formative years of Christianity, demonstrating the unity and diversity of the early Church.Andronicus

a man excelling others

Andronicus

(man-conqueror).

1. An officer left as viceroy, 2 Macc. 4:31, in Antioch by Antiochus Epiphanes during his absence. 2 Macc. 4:31-38. (B.C. 171.)
2. Another officer of Antiochus Epiphanes who was left by him on Garizem. 2 Macc. 5:23.
3. A Christian at Rome, saluted by St. Paul, (Romans 16:7) together with Junia.

Andronicus

A Jewish Christian, and fellow-prisoner of Paul, Romans 16:7.

Man-conquering, a Jewish Christian, the kinsman and fellowprisoner of Paul (Romans 16:7); "of note among the apostles." ANDRONICUS

an-dro-ni'-kus (Andronikos):

(1) A deputy of Antiochus Epiphanes, who, while ruling at Antioch, excited the Jews by the murder of Onias, and, upon their formal complaint, was executed by his superior (2 Maccabees 4:32-38); generally distinguished from another officer of the same name, also under Antiochus (2 Maccabees 5:23).

(2) A kinsman of Paul, residing at Rome (Romans 16:7). He had been converted to Christianity before Paul, and, like Paul, had suffered imprisonment, although when and where can only be surmised. When he and Junias, another kinsman of Paul, are referred to as "of note among the apostles," this may be interpreted as either designating the high esteem in which they were held by the Twelve, or as reckoning them in the number of apostles. The latter is the sense, if "apostle" be understood here in the more general meaning, used in Acts 14:14 of Barnabas, in 2 Corinthians 8:23 of Titus, in Philippians 2:25 of Epaphroditus, and in the Didache of "the traveling evangelists or missionaries who preached the gospel from place to place" (Schaff, The Teaching of the Twelve Apostles, 67; see also Lightfoot on Philippians, 196). On this assumption, Andronicus was one of the most prominent and successful of the traveling missionaries of the early church.

H. E. Jacobs

408. Andronikos -- "man of victory," Andronicus, a Jewish ...
... 407, 408. Andronikos. 409 . "man of victory," Andronicus, a Jewish Christian.
Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: Andronikos Phonetic Spelling ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/408.htm - 6k

Letter cxii. To Andronicus, a General.
... TOU AGIOU BAChILEIOU PERI TOU PNEUMATOCh BIBLION. Letter CXII. To Andronicus,
a general. 1. Did but my health allow of my being ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/letter cxii to andronicus a.htm

Whether the Parts of Temperance are Rightly Assigned?
... for he says that "temperance results in modesty, shamefacedness, abstinence, chastity,
honesty, moderation, lowliness, sobriety, purity." Andronicus also says ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the parts of temperance.htm

The Friendship that was Between Onias and Ptolemy Philometor; and ...
... Now Sabbeus and Theodosius managed the argument for the Samaritans, and Andronicus,
the son of Messalamus, for the people of Jerusalem; and they took an oath ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 3 the friendship that.htm

Womanhood of the Byzantine Decadence
... Alexius Comnenus, grandson of Andronicus I., had betaken himself to the eastern
frontier of the Empire, and, chiefly through the glamour of his name, had made ...
/.../brittain/women of early christianity/xv womanhood of the byzantine.htm

The Churches of the East
... The Greeks did not suffer without protest and the massacre of the Latins of
Constantinople under the usurper Andronicus (1183) showed the depth as well as the ...
/.../medley/the church and the empire/chapter xvii the churches of.htm

Whether the Parts of Fortitude are Suitably Assigned?
... i) reckons seven parts of fortitude, namely "magnanimity, confidence, security,
magnificence, constancy, forbearance, stability." Andronicus also reckons seven ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the parts of fortitude.htm

Whether the virtues Annexed to Justice are Suitably Enumerated?
... justice. Objection 4: Further, the peripatetic Andronicus [*De Affectibus]
reckons nine parts annexed to justice viz. "liberality ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the virtues annexed to.htm

The Princesses of the Comneni
... as Anna; and when he found his end approaching, he wished above all things to assure
the elevation of his three children, Michael, Andronicus, and Constantine. ...
/.../brittain/women of early christianity/xiv the princesses of the.htm

Letter iii. Having in the Former Two Letters Defined the Doctrine ...
... or according to the common usage and understanding of men, to have inferred an
intention on my part to decide the question respecting Titus Andronicus, or the ...
/.../coleridge/confessions of an inquiring spirit etc/letter iii having in the.htm

On Prayer and The Contemplative Life
... Ambrose, St.: on God as the cause of devotion, 57; that the beauty of the soul depends
on the Moral Virtues, 184. Andronicus on the meaning of sanctity, 49. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/on prayer and the contemplative life/index 2.htm

Andronicus (1 Occurrence)
...ANDRONICUS. ... On this assumption, Andronicus was one of the most prominent and successful
of the traveling missionaries of the early church. HE Jacobs. ...
/a/andronicus.htm - 8k

Menelaus
... Mallus. Menelaus took advantage of his absence to win over Andronicus, the
king's deputy, by rich presents stolen from the temple. ...
/m/menelaus.htm - 9k

Junia (1 Occurrence)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary (Romans 16:7), a Christian at Rome to whom Paul sends
salutations along with Andronicus. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/j/junia.htm - 6k

Androni'cus (1 Occurrence)
Androni'cus. Andronicus, Androni'cus. And'what . Multi-Version Concordance ...
(See RSV). Andronicus, Androni'cus. And'what . Reference Bible.
/a/androni'cus.htm - 6k

Kinsmen (74 Occurrences)
... Romans 16:7 Salute Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen, and my fellow-prisoners, who
are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me. ...
/k/kinsmen.htm - 28k

Notable (7 Occurrences)
... Romans 16:7 Greet Andronicus and Junias, my relatives and my fellow prisoners, who
are notable among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me. (WEB). ...
/n/notable.htm - 10k

Noted (10 Occurrences)
... Romans 16:7 Give my love to Andronicus and Junia, my relations, who were in prison
with me, who are noted among the Apostles, and who were in Christ before me. ...
/n/noted.htm - 9k

Onias
... Menelaus took revenge by persuading Andronicus, the king's deputy, to entice Onias
by false promises of friendship from his sanctuary at Daphne and ...
/o/onias.htm - 10k

Outstanding (7 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). Romans 16:7 Greet Andronicus and Junias, my relatives and my fellow
prisoners, who are notable among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me. ...
/o/outstanding.htm - 8k

Ju'nias (1 Occurrence)
... Romans 16:7 Greet Andronicus and Junias, my relatives and my fellow prisoners, who
are notable among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me. (See RSV). ...
/j/ju'nias.htm - 6k

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