Greek word · G1050

Γάϊος

gaios

Gaius

Gaius was an extremely common Roman first name. Derbaios means 'of Derbe', a town in Lycaonia within the Roman province of Galatia.

Appears 5 times in 5 verses of the Greek New Testament. ·

What it means

Γαῖος, -ου, ὁ (Γάϊος, Rec.),

Gaius, the name of a Christian;

1. of Macedonia: Acts 19:29.

2. Of Derbe: Acts 20:4.

3. Of Corinth: Romans 16:23, 1 Corinthians 1:14.

4. The one to whom in Ep. Jo is addressed: 3 John 1:1.

† (AS)

From G. Abbott-Smith, A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament (1922), via STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0).

In depth

From the study of Acts 20:4

Range of meaning

Gaius was an extremely common Roman first name. Derbaios means 'of Derbe', a town in Lycaonia within the Roman province of Galatia.

Against the English

All major English versions say 'of Derbe'. None reflect the 'Doberus' reading of Codex Bezae.

Used elsewhere in the period

Other men named Gaius in the New Testament: a Macedonian Gaius seized at Ephesus (Acts 19:29), Gaius of Corinth (1 Cor 1:14; Rom 16:23) and the Gaius of 3 John. Codex D reads Doubérios, 'of Doberus', a Macedonian town.

Where it appears

Acts · 2

  1. Acts 19:29 Γάϊον Gaius

    Soon the whole city was in disarray. They rushed together into the theatre, dragging with them Gaius and Aristarchus, Paul’s traveling companions from Macedonia.

    Here: A very common Roman first name. This Gaius was one of Paul's team. Which of the New Testament's several men named Gaius he is remains uncertain.

  2. Acts 20:4 Γάϊος Gaius

    Paul was accompanied by Sopater son of Pyrrhus from Berea, Aristarchus and Secundus from Thessalonica, Gaius from Derbe, Timothy, and Tychicus and Trophimus from the province of Asia.

    Here: One of the most common Roman first names. At least three or four different men called Gaius appear in the New Testament, so this one must be told apart by his town.

Romans · 1

  1. Romans 16:23 Γάϊος Gaius

    Gaius, who has hosted me and all the church, sends you greetings. Erastus, the city treasurer, sends you greetings, as does our brother Quartus.

    Here: A very common Roman first name (praenomen). In Corinth this is almost certainly the Gaius whom Paul baptized himself (1 Corinthians 1:14).

1 Corinthians · 1

  1. 1 Corinthians 1:14 Γάϊον, Gaius,

    I thank God that I did not baptize any of you except Crispus and Gaius,

3 John · 1

  1. 3 John 1:1 Γαΐῳ To Gaius

    The elder, To the beloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth:

Word data: STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0), main text only.