Τέρτιος (Tertios)
Tertios
Tertius
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The name Tertius appears only once in the New Testament, specifically in Romans 16:22. It is a Latin personal name meaning "third," likely indicating he was the third son in his family or perhaps the third slave in a household.
Paul identifies himself as the author of the letter but explicitly notes that Tertius wrote it down at Paul's dictation. This highlights the common ancient practice of using an amanuensis, or scribe, to compose formal correspondence. Tertius’s inclusion serves as a personal touch, adding his own greeting to the apostle’s message and confirming his role in the physical production of the epistle.
While not a theological term with deep semantic range, Tertius provides insight into the collaborative nature of early Christian letter-writing. His brief mention reminds readers that the inspired text was produced through human cooperation, blending divine inspiration with practical assistance from individuals like him.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Tertius appears only once in Scripture, tucked into the closing greetings of Romans 16:22. Paul, the apostle, dictated this letter but explicitly noted that Tertius was the one who wrote it down. This simple fact reveals that God’s Word came through human hands and minds. Tertius did not just copy words; he added his own greeting to the community.
This reminds us that faith is often lived out in quiet service. We may never have our names recorded in the Bible, but we can still serve God by helping others understand His truth. Whether you teach a class, write an email, or listen to a friend, your faithful work matters to God. Tertius shows us that ordinary tasks become sacred when done for the Lord.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Tertius1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- Τέρτιος1×
Key Verses
-
Romans 16:22
I, Tertius, who write the letter, greet you in the Lord.
This verse identifies Tertius as the scribe who physically wrote the letter, showing his personal role in spreading Paul's message.