Σώπατρος (Sōpatros)
Sōpatros
Sopater
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
Sopater is a personal name appearing only once in the New Testament, specifically in Acts 20:4. The sources identify him as Sopater of Berea, the son of Pyrrhus, who served as a companion and delegate accompanying Paul on his final journey to Jerusalem.
The name itself carries a meaningful etymology, derived from elements meaning "savior" and "father." This combination reflects a common pattern in Greek naming conventions, where parents expressed hopes for their child’s protection or role within the family structure. While the text does not elaborate on Sopater’s individual ministry beyond his presence with Paul, his inclusion highlights the network of believers who supported the apostle’s work during this critical period.
His mention serves as a concrete link to the early church’s organizational efforts, showing how local communities from places like Berea were actively involved in the broader mission. The name stands as a simple but significant marker of fellowship and shared purpose among the early Christians.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Sopater appears only once in the New Testament, tucked into a list of travelers accompanying Paul to Jerusalem (Acts 20:4). His name means "father-savior," a hopeful wish from his parents that he would be a protector and source of strength. While we do not know the details of his daily work, his presence shows that Paul’s mission relied on a wide network of ordinary believers who stepped up to help.
This brief mention reminds us that the early church was built by many hands working together. Sopater came from Berea, a local community, and joined the broader journey of faith. It is encouraging to see how God uses everyday people to support His work. You do not need to be a famous leader to make a difference; simply being present and willing to serve connects you to something much larger than yourself.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Sopater1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- Σώπατρος1×
Key Verses
-
Acts 20:4
These accompanied him as far as Asia: Sopater of Beroea, Aristarchus and Secundus of the Thessalonians, Gaius of Derbe, Timothy, and Tychicus and Trophimus of Asia.
This verse lists Sopater as one of the delegates from Berea, highlighting his role in supporting Paul's final journey and the financial offering for Jerusalem.