The Apostolic Fathers · AD 70–130
Philologus
fl. c. 57 (death unrecorded) · Believer of a Roman house circle · Rome
The Apostolic Fathers
Who Philologus was
“Salute Philologus, and Julia, Nereus, and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints which are with them” — head, with Julia (likely his wife), of the third discernible house circle of Romans 16. The name, “lover of the word,” was common among educated slaves and freedmen; the inscriptions of the imperial household include a Philologus among Caesar’s servants.
Common questions
When was Philologus active?
Philologus is dated fl. c. 57 (death unrecorded) in the archive, which places Philologus in the Apostolic Fathers (AD 70–130). The dating is traditional and approximate; the archive marks it as uncertain rather than fixing a year the sources do not give.
Which early sources mention Philologus?
Philologus is named in 3 primary-source passages catalogued here, drawn from Paul, Origen of Alexandria and John Chrysostom. Every passage is quoted from a named public-domain translation, earliest first.
Where was Philologus from?
The archive associates Philologus with Rome.
Who were Philologus’ contemporaries?
The archive links Philologus to 4 other figures, including Julia, Nereus and His Sister, Olympas and Patrobas. Each connection is drawn from a source that places them together, not from inference.
Scripture record
Primary-source mentions (3)
Every passage below is quoted from a named public-domain translation, earliest first.
Romans 16:15
c. AD 55Salute Philologus, and Julia, Nereus, and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints which are with them.Paul · read ↗
Origen, Commentary on Romans X (on Romans 16:15)
c. AD 246Homilies on Romans XXXI
c. AD 391“Salute Philologus, and Julius, and Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints which are with them” — which was the greatest dignity, and unspeakable height of honor.John Chrysostom · Homilies on Romans XXXI · source text
Connected in the archive
People
Events in this lifetime
- AD 30 · Crucifixion, Resurrection and Pentecost, AD 30–33
- AD 44 · Persecution under Herod Agrippa I, AD 44
- AD 49 · The Council of Jerusalem, AD 49
- AD 57 · Paul writes Romans, AD 57
- AD 62 · James the Just stoned, AD 62
- AD 64 · The Great Fire and Nero’s persecution, AD 64
- AD 70 · The fall of Jerusalem, AD 70
Place
Places served
The one place the sources put Philologus.
- 1Rome