This and other articles in this series has information on all 120+ important people the New Testament records had a connection to the Apostle Paul. It includes the person's name (and their KJV spelling) and every place they are listed in the KJV either in Acts, written by Luke, or in any of Paul's fourteen epistles. The list on this page includes facts about Achaicus, a Christian living in Corinth, to Bar-jesus, a false prophet whom Paul had to miraculously blind!
Please note that the New Testament, for most of the people connected to the Apostle Paul, only records brief (if any) information about them beyond stating their name. This list, therefore, also includes background data gleaned from Biblical commentaries and historians like Josephus, the traditions of early church "fathers" and other extra-biblical writings.
Achaicus
1Corinthians 16:17
Achaicus was a Christian who lived in Corinth. He, along with Stephanas and Fortunatus, made the long trip from the city to Ephesus during Paul's extended stay (54 to 57 A.D.). Scriptures hints that they likely brought with them a letter with questions for the apostle to answer (see 1Corinthians 7:1).
The notation at the end of 1Corinthians, found in many Bible translations, asserts that Achaicus and his traveling companions, as well as Timothy, wrote down Paul's answers and other teachings that composed the book (see also 1Corinthians 1:1 - 2).
Agabus
Acts 11:28, 21:10
Agabus, who lived in Jerusalem, was an important prophet who had two of his prophecies recorded which affected the life and ministry of Paul. The first prophecy, proclaimed in the spring of 42 A.D. to the church in Syrian Antioch (which included Paul and Barnabas), warned of a severe worldwide famine.
The second prophecy, spoken roughly sixteen years later at Caesarea toward the end of the third missionary journey, predicted to Paul that he would be arrested in Jerusalem and turned over to the Romans. Roman Catholic tradition states Agabus died as a martyr in Antioch.
Alexander
Acts 19:33, 1Timothy 1:19 - 20
2Timothy 4:14 - 15
There are three Alexanders listed in the New Testament connected to Paul.
The first Alexander (Acts 19) was a Jew who Ephesian Jews tried to use to quell a riot. The uproar was caused by a local silversmith named Demetrius determined to stop Paul and his teachings from adversely affected Ephesus' well-known idol making businesses. Alexander's efforts failed to calm the riotous crowd.
The second Alexander in the New Testament (1Timothy 1), along with Hymenseus, were two Ephesian believers the Apostle Paul "turned over to Satan" so that they would repent (see also 1Corinthians 5:5). The two men had shipwrecked their faith through the rejection of their conscience.
The third Alexander (2Timothy 4), a coppersmith, was someone who actively and strongly opposed the gospel. The apostle, just before his death, warned his fellow evangelist Timothy to be wary of him.
Alexander's evil deeds against the truth were so pronounced that Paul, in a rare request, asked God to reward him according to his deeds. Biblical commentaries are unsure whether this third Alexander and the second one (1Timothy 1:19 - 20) are the same person.
Amplias
Romans 16:8
Amplias is one of the many people, in Rome, Paul greets in the last chapter of Romans. He refers to Amplias as "my beloved in the Lord." Nothing more is known about him.
Ananias
Acts 9:10 - 17, 22:12
Ananias, who lived in Damascus, was an early Jewish convert to Christianity. He is told, in a vision from God, to visit a house on Straight Street and heal Saul (Paul) of the blindness he received while traveling to the city. Although he first balked at the request since Saul was known as a zealous persecutor of the church, he ultimately relented and did what was commanded. Ananias also baptized Paul after which he received God's spirit.
Ananias the high priest
Acts 23:2, 24:1
Ananias served as the temple's High Priest from 46 to 58 A.D. Paul was brought before him after his arrest for causing a temple riot. This uprising in Jerusalem occurred right after the apostle's third missionary journey.
Ananias, after Paul stated he had a clear conscience as a Christian, got so enraged that he commanded someone near the apostle to smack him in the face! Ananias would later travel to Caesarea and testify against him before Roman governor Felix.
According to the book War of the Jews (Book 2, Chapter 17, Section 9), Ananias was ultimately murdered by Sicarii zealots shortly in or after 66 A.D. when the Jewish revolt against Rome began.
Andronicus
Romans 16:7
Paul records that Andronicus, who lived in Rome, had been a Christian longer than he had. He also mentions Andronicus was "of note among the apostles" (Romans 16:7). This could mean either his righteous character was highly esteemed among this select group of leaders or that he was an apostle whose life was particularly noteworthy.
Evidence suggests Andronicus may have been one of Paul's distant relatives.
Apelles
Romans 16:10
Apelles is one of the many Christians, in Rome, referenced in the last chapter of Romans. He is greeted using the phrase "approved in Christ," which may mean Paul knew his conversion had been tested and found faithful.
Apollos
Acts 18:24, 19:1
1Corinthians 1:12, 3:4 - 6, 22, 4:6, 16:12
Titus 3:13
Apollos, a native of Alexandria, was a gifted orator who "was skilled in the Scriptures" (Acts 18:24). We are introduced to him when he arrives in Ephesus just before Apostle Paul's extensive third missionary journey stay in the city.
After Priscilla and Aquila update Apollos regarding the gospel (Jesus' death, resurrection, and so on) he leaves for Corinth. His teaching and debating skills, in Corinth, earn the church's respect and mightily thwart the misguided attempts of Jews to prove that Jesus was not the Messiah.
Apollos' evangelistic efforts were so effective that Paul considered him a fellow laborer in the gospel who complemented his own work. Please see our article on Apollos' arrival in Ephesus for more information on this important New Testament person!
Apphia
Philemon 1:2
Apphia is a woman greeted as "our beloved" by Paul in his opening remarks to Philemon. His greeting was written between 61 and 63 A.D. when the book was penned while he was in prison. Some Biblical commentaries speculate, without proof, that Apphia may have been the sister or wife of Philemon.
Aquila
Please see listing for Priscilla and Aquila.
Archippus
Colossians 4:17, Philemon 1:2
Archippus, whose name means "a master of horses," is greeted as "our fellow soldier" by Paul in his opening remarks to Philemon. Archippus was the host of a home fellowship (house church) which met in his home every Sabbath. The apostle admonished Archippus, in Colossians, to "devote yourself to the ministry that you have received in the Lord" (Colossians 4:17).
Aristobulus
Romans 16:10
Aristobulus is one of the many Christians, in Rome, mentioned in the last chapter of the book of Romans. Some Biblical commentaries speculate that he was among the seventy people Jesus personally sent on an evangelistic training mission (Luke 10).
Aristarchus
Acts 19:29, 20:4, 27:2, Colossians 4:10
Philemon 1:24
Aristarchus was a Thessalonica Christian who was likely a Jewish convert to Christianity. He traveled with the apostle during the third missionary journey. He was seized by an angry mob toward the end of Paul's long stay in Ephesus. The mob was stirred up by those fearing Christianity would continue to erode the city's highly profitable idol selling businesses.
Aristarchus also went with Paul, likely as a fellow prisoner, from Caesarea to Rome during his fourth missionary journey. The apostle considered him a fellow co-worker in spreading the gospel and someone who brought him great comfort.
Asyncritus
Romans 16:14
Asyncritus is one of the many people, in Rome, mentioned in the last chapter of the book of Romans. His name means "incomparable." Nothing more is stated about him in the Bible.
Artemas
Titus 3:12
Artemas was one of Paul's fellow coworkers sent to Titus on Crete. When he arrived on the island, he was instructed to take on Titus' duties in order to free him up to visit the apostle at Nicopolis. Some commentaries speculate that Artemas was one of the seventy disciples trained by Christ (Luke 10).
Augustus (Caesar)
Acts 17:7, 25:8, 10 - 12, 21, 25,
26:32, 27:1, 24, 28:19, Philippians 4:22
The name Augustus, like Caesar, was usually used in the book of Acts and in Paul's writings as a synonym for Emperor Nero. The emperor ruled the vast Roman Empire from 54 to 68 A.D.
The one exception to the above rule is Acts 27:1's use of the name Augustus. This verse mentions a Julius who was a Roman centurion serving in the Augustus band of the army. This band was named in honor of the first emperor who ruled from 27 B.C. to 14 A.D.
Bar-jesus (Elymas the sorcerer)
Acts 13:6, 8
Bar-jesus was a Jewish false prophet who had attached himself to Sergius Paulus, the Roman governor of the island of Cyprus. He initially tried to convince Paulus not to believe in the gospel preached by Paul and Barnabas who were evangelizing the island. Paul confronted the false teacher and miraculously caused him to be blind "for a season" (Acts 13:11).
See our article on Paul's first missionary journey for more information about Bar-jesus.