Φορτουνᾶτος (Phortounatos)
Phortounatos
Fortunatus
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The name Phortounatos is a Latin loanword meaning "well freighted" or "fortunate." It appears only twice in the New Testament, specifically within First Corinthians 16:17 and 1 Corinthians 16:18. The text identifies him as a member of the household of Stephanas, a prominent early Christian family in Corinth known for their service to the saints.
Paul commends Phortounatus alongside Achaicus and Stephanas for their arrival with news that brought Paul encouragement. Their presence helped alleviate his distress, demonstrating how personal connections and shared faith provided tangible relief to the apostle during difficult times. The name itself reflects a common Roman naming convention where fortune or luck was invoked as a blessing.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Fortunatus means "fortunate" or "well-favored," a fitting title for those who bring relief to others. In Corinth, this word described Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus, whose arrival brought Paul genuine encouragement. Their presence was not just a social visit; it was a tangible supply of what the church had lacked. This shows how God uses ordinary people to become channels of grace for one another.
When we feel weary or isolated, the support of fellow believers can be a lifeline. These men did not perform grand miracles, but they showed up. They listened, they served, and they reminded Paul that he was not alone. Their story invites us to look for opportunities to bring comfort to those who are struggling, knowing that our simple acts of presence can carry the weight of Christ’s love.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Fortunatus2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- φουρτουνάτου1×
- Φορτουνάτου1×
Key Verses
-
I Corinthians 16:17
I rejoice at the coming of Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus; for that which was lacking on your part, they supplied.
This verse identifies Fortunatus as part of the group whose arrival directly supplied what was lacking for Paul, linking his name to the act of providing encouragement.