Gaius

GAIUS ga'-yus (Gaios; Westcott and Hort, The New Testament in Greek, Gaios):

(1) The Gaius to whom 3 Joh is addressed. He is spoken of as "the beloved" (3John 1:1,2,5,11), "walking in the truth" (3John 1:3,4), and doing "a faithful work" "toward them that are brethren and strangers withal" (3John 1:5,6). He has been identified by some with the Gaius mentioned in the Apostolical Constitutions (VII, 46), as having been appointed bishop of Pergamum by John.

(2) Gaius of Macedonia, a "companion in travel" of Paul (Acts 19:29). He was one of those who were seized by Demetrius and the other silversmiths in the riot at Ephesus, during Paul's third missionary journey.

(3) Gaius of Derbe, who was among those who accompanied Paul from Greece "as far as Asia," during his third missionary journey (Acts 20:4). In the corresponding list given in the "Contendings of Paul" (compare Budge, Contendings of the Twelve Apostles, II, 592), the name of this Gaius is given as "Gallius."

(4) Gaius, the host of Paul when he wrote the Epistle to the Roman, and who joined in sending his salutations (Romans 16:23). As Paul wrote this epistle from Corinth, it is probable that this Gaius is identical with (5).

(5) Gaius, whom Paul baptized at Corinth (1 Corinthians 1:14).

C. M. Kerr

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Bibliography Information

Orr, James, M.A., D.D. General Editor. "Entry for 'GAIUS'".  "International Standard Bible Encyclopedia".  1915.