Carpus is a relatively obscure figure mentioned in the New Testament, specifically in the Pauline Epistles. His name appears in 2 Timothy 4:13, where the Apostle Paul writes to Timothy, saying, "When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, and my scrolls, especially the parchments" . This brief mention provides a glimpse into the early Christian community and the network of believers who supported Paul's ministry.

Role and Significance

Carpus is identified as a resident of Troas, a city located in the northwest region of Asia Minor, near the ancient city of Troy. While the Bible does not provide extensive details about Carpus, his inclusion in Paul's letter suggests that he was a trusted associate or host. The fact that Paul left personal belongings with Carpus indicates a level of trust and reliability, as Paul was known to be discerning about whom he entrusted with his possessions and ministry needs.

Contextual Background

Troas was a significant location in Paul's missionary journeys. It was in Troas that Paul received the vision of the man from Macedonia, which led him to bring the Gospel to Europe (Acts 16:8-10). The city served as a strategic point for travel and communication within the Roman Empire, making it a vital hub for early Christian activity.

Implications of Paul's Request

Paul's request for Timothy to bring the cloak, scrolls, and parchments from Carpus highlights several aspects of early Christian life and ministry:

1. Practical Needs: The mention of the cloak suggests that Paul was concerned about his physical well-being, possibly anticipating the cold of a Roman prison. This reflects the practical challenges faced by early missionaries.

2. Intellectual and Spiritual Pursuits: The scrolls and parchments likely contained important texts, possibly copies of the Hebrew Scriptures or early Christian writings. This underscores the value placed on study and the dissemination of Scripture within the early Church.

3. Community and Support: Carpus's role in safeguarding Paul's belongings illustrates the interconnectedness and mutual support among early Christians. The early Church relied heavily on hospitality and the sharing of resources to sustain its mission.

Legacy and Reflection

While Carpus is not a prominent biblical figure, his brief mention serves as a reminder of the many unsung heroes who played crucial roles in the spread of Christianity. His willingness to assist Paul reflects the spirit of service and dedication that characterized the early Christian community. Carpus's example encourages believers to offer their resources and support to further the work of the Gospel, trusting that even small acts of service can have a lasting impact in God's kingdom.Carpus

fruit; fruitful

Carpus

a Christian at Troas. (2 Timothy 4:13)

Carpus

A disciple and friend of Paul, who lived in Troas, 2 Timothy 4:13.

(n.) The wrist; the bones or cartilages between the forearm, or antibrachium, and the hand or forefoot; in man, consisting of eight short bones disposed in two rows.CARPUS

kar'-pus (Karpos): A name but once mentioned in the New Testament (2 Timothy 4:13), "the cloak that I left at Troas with Carpus." These words were written from the dungeons, where Paul was confined during his second imprisonment. The name, common enough in Paul's day, signifies "fruit" (Young) or "wrist" (Davis). The words indicate that Paul must have been very well acquainted with the family of Carpus. He was presumably one of his converts; and the apostle must have lodged with him and also have had considerable confidence in him, since he committed to his care not only the comparatively valueless "cloak," but especially the priceless "books and parchments." It is idle to attempt to find out the identity of Carpus, but one cannot help wondering what were the contents of these books and parchments for which the apostle longed in his bitter second imprisonment.

Henry E. Dosken

2591. Karpos -- Carpus, a Christian
... Carpus, a Christian. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: Karpos Phonetic
Spelling: (kar'-pos) Short Definition: Carpus Definition: Carpus, a ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2591.htm - 6k

Advice for the Direction of Holy Zeal.
... Carpus, a man eminent for purity and sanctity of life, who, as is very probable,
was the bishop of Candia, conceived such an anger at it as he had never before ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter xv advice for the.htm

2 Timothy iv. 13-Sep
... Ephesus. The cloak that I left at Troas with Carpus, when thou comest, bring
with thee, and the books, but especially the parchments.". ...
/.../homily x 2 timothy iv.htm

Paul's Second Imprisonment, and Martyrdom; Peter, his Epistles ...
... Thus, he says-"The cloak [153:3] (or, as some render it, the case) [153:4] that
I left at Troas, with Carpus, when thou comest bring with thee, and the books ...
/.../killen/the ancient church/chapter x pauls second imprisonment.htm

Letter viii. To Demophilus, Therapeutes. About Minding Ones Own ...
... When I was once in Crete, the holy Carpus [131] entertained me,"a man, of all others,
most fitted, on account of great purity of mind, for Divine Vision. ...
/.../letters of dionysius the areopagite/letter viii to demophilus therapeutes.htm

Of Putting Off Cloaks.
... the garb of prayer, [8854] would have comprehended in their instructions, unless
any think that is was in prayer that Paul had left his cloak with Carpus! ...
/.../tertullian/on prayer/chapter xv of putting off cloaks.htm

The Same Hippolytus on the Seventy Apostles.
... 60. Onesiphorus, bishop of Corone. 61. Tychicus, bishop of Chalcedon. 62. Carpus,
bishop of Berytus in Thrace. 63. Evodus, bishop of Antioch. 64. ...
/.../the extant works and fragments of hippolytus/the same hippolytus on the.htm

How we are to Unite Our Will with God's in the Permission of Sins.
... us of liberty: and when the sin is once committed let us endeavour what we are able
to have it blotted out, like our Saviour, who assured Carpus, as was said ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter viii how we are.htm

Of the Conformity of Our Will to the Will which God Has to Save Us ...
... and save all mankind, which he did with so much love that, as the great S. Denis,
apostle of France, recounts, he said once to the holy man Carpus that he was ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter iv of the conformity.htm

The Holy Family in Bethlehem after the Departure of the Kings.
... name Amator in baptism. Later he was made a bishop and was in Edessa; he
was also on the island of Crete with Carpus. He then went ...
/.../emmerich/the life of the blessed virgin mary/xiv the holy family in.htm

Under Verus, Polycarp with Others Suffered Martyrdom at Smyrna.
... 48. And there are also records extant of others that suffered martyrdom in Pergamus,
a city of Asia,"of Carpus and Papylus, and a woman named Agathonice, who ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter xv under verus polycarp with.htm

Carpus (1 Occurrence)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. CARPUS. ... The words indicate that Paul must
have been very well acquainted with the family of Carpus. ...
/c/carpus.htm - 7k

Carpus's (1 Occurrence)
...Carpus's (1 Occurrence). 2 Timothy 4:13 The cloak which I left behind me in Troas
at Carpus's, bring when thou comest, and the books, especially the parchments. ...
/c/carpus's.htm - 6k

Parchments (1 Occurrence)
... bring "the books, especially the parchments." These, as well as the "cloak," which
is also mentioned, had evidently been "left at Troas with Carpus." What were ...
/p/parchments.htm - 10k

Wrist (3 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) The joint, or the region of the joint,
between the hand and the arm; the carpus. See Carpus. 2 ...
/w/wrist.htm - 7k

Carriage (32 Occurrences)

/c/carriage.htm - 19k

Troas (6 Occurrences)
... NIV). 2 Timothy 4:13 Bring the cloak that I left at Troas with Carpus when
you come, and the books, especially the parchments. (WEB ...
/t/troas.htm - 11k

Tro'as (6 Occurrences)
... 2 Timothy 4:13 the cloak that I left in Troas with Carpus, coming, bring thou and
the books -- especially the parchments. (See RSV). Troas, Tro'as. Trod . ...
/t/tro'as.htm - 7k

Especially (23 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV WEY ASV WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). 2 Timothy 4:13 Bring the cloak that I left
at Troas with Carpus when you come, and the books, especially the parchments. ...
/e/especially.htm - 13k

Papers (3 Occurrences)
... 2 Timothy 4:13 The coat which I did not take from Troas and which is with Carpus,
get when you come, and the books, specially the papers. (BBE). ...
/p/papers.htm - 7k

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