Sosthenes
PeopleWhat is the meaning of Sosthenes in the Bible?
Sosthenes was the ruler of the synagogue in Corinth, identified by many scholars as the same individual who succeeded Crispus in that role and later co-authored the First Epistle to the Corinthians with the Apostle Paul.
SIGNIFICANCE
Recognizing Sosthenes as both a synagogue official and a Pauline co-author helps readers understand the transition of leadership within the Corinthian congregation and the collaborative nature of early Christian letter writing.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Genealogy & Community Insight: When reading, notice how the lineage and actions of Sosthenes reveal God's preservation of family clans and community records across generations.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
- Why did the biblical author mention Sosthenes in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Sosthenes clarify?
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.
How to Cite This Entry
"Sosthenes." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/sosthenes/