Λούκιος (Loukios)
Loukios
Lucius
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The name Loukios is the Greek form of the Latin Lucius, meaning "light" or "bright." It appears only twice in the New Testament, identifying two distinct early Christians who served within the expanding church community.
In Acts 13:1, a man named Lucius from Cyrene is listed alongside Barnabas and Saul as a prophet and teacher in the church at Antioch. This same individual is often suggested by scholars to be the person Paul greets in Romans 16:21 as his kinsman, though the text does not explicitly confirm this identity.
The sources note that some traditions have historically identified this Lucius with the evangelist Luke, but the biblical data itself presents them as separate figures in different contexts. The name serves as a reminder of the diverse, multicultural nature of the early church, where Gentile believers from North Africa and Rome worked side by side.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Lucius means "light," a fitting title for those who carried the gospel into new territories. In Acts 13:1, we meet Lucius of Cyrene serving alongside Barnabas and Saul as a prophet and teacher in the church at Antioch. This moment shows us that early Christian leadership was not limited to one group but included believers from diverse backgrounds working together for the common faith.
Later, in Romans 16:21, Paul sends greetings from Lucius, who is described as his relative. While some traditions have tried to link this figure with the evangelist Luke, the biblical text keeps them distinct. This distinction reminds us that God uses many different people in His plan. Whether you serve in teaching or simply greet others in love, your contribution matters.
Seeing names like Lucius in Scripture encourages us. It shows that ordinary believers played vital roles in spreading the message of Jesus. You do not need a famous title to be part of God's work. Your faithful presence in your community is a light for those around you.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Lucius2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- Λούκιος2×
Key Verses
-
Acts 13:1
Now in the assembly that was at Antioch there were some prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen the foster brother of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.
This verse places Lucius of Cyrene directly in the leadership team of Antioch, highlighting his role as a prophet and teacher alongside Barnabas and Saul.
-
Romans 16:21
Timothy, my fellow worker, greets you, as do Lucius, Jason, and Sosipater, my relatives.
Here Paul identifies Lucius as his kinsman, showing that family ties were still significant in the early church's network of greetings and support.