Linus is a biblical figure mentioned in the New Testament, specifically in the Apostle Paul's second epistle to Timothy. He is referenced in 2 Timothy 4:21, where Paul writes, "Make every effort to come to me before winter. Eubulus greets you, as do Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brothers" . This brief mention places Linus among a group of early Christians who were in Rome during Paul's imprisonment.

Historical Context

The mention of Linus in 2 Timothy is significant as it provides insight into the early Christian community in Rome. This epistle is traditionally considered one of Paul's pastoral letters, written during his second imprisonment in Rome, shortly before his martyrdom. The inclusion of Linus in this greeting suggests that he was a member of the Christian community who was close to Paul and possibly involved in the leadership or support of the church in Rome.

Role in Early Christianity

While the Bible provides limited information about Linus, early Christian tradition holds that he became a prominent leader in the Roman church. According to writings from early Church Fathers such as Irenaeus and Eusebius, Linus is identified as the first bishop of Rome after the Apostle Peter. Irenaeus, in his work "Against Heresies," states, "The blessed apostles, then, having founded and built up the Church, committed into the hands of Linus the office of the episcopate." This tradition suggests that Linus played a crucial role in the establishment and continuity of the Christian faith in Rome following the apostolic era.

Significance in Church Tradition

Linus's position as the first bishop of Rome is significant in the context of church history, as it marks the beginning of the papal succession. The Roman Catholic Church regards Linus as the second pope, following Peter, and his leadership is seen as a continuation of the apostolic authority. His feast day is celebrated on September 23 in the Roman Catholic liturgical calendar.

Theological Implications

From a theological perspective, Linus's mention in the New Testament and his subsequent role in church tradition underscore the importance of apostolic succession and the continuity of church leadership. His connection to Paul and the early Roman church highlights the spread of Christianity beyond its Jewish roots and into the heart of the Roman Empire. Linus's leadership exemplifies the early church's efforts to maintain doctrinal integrity and organizational structure amidst external pressures and internal challenges.

Conclusion

While the biblical account of Linus is brief, his legacy in church tradition is substantial. As a figure associated with the apostolic era and the early Roman church, Linus represents the transition from the direct leadership of the apostles to the establishment of a structured ecclesiastical hierarchy. His role as a leader in the early church continues to be recognized and honored within various Christian traditions.Linus

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Linus

(a net), a Christian at Rome, known to St. Paul and to Timothy, (2 Timothy 4:21) who was the first bishop of Rome after the apostles. (A.D. 64.)

Linus

A Christian at Rome, whose salutation Paul sent to Timothy, 2 Timothy 4:21.

LINUS

li'-nus (Linos (2 Timothy 4:21)): One of Paul's friends in Rome during his second and last imprisonment in that city. He was one of the few who remained faithful to the apostle, even when most of the Christians had forsaken him. And writing to Timothy when he realized that his execution could not be very far distant-for he was now ready to be offered, and the time of his departure was at hand (2 Timothy 4:6)-he sends greeting to Timothy from four friends whom he names, and Linus is one of them. There is a tradition that Linus was bishop of the church at Rome. "It is perhaps fair to assume, though of course there is no certainty of this, that the consecration of Linus to the government of the Roman church as its first bishop was one of the dying acts of the apostle Paul" (H.D.M. Spence, in Ellicott's New Testament Commentary on 2 Tim).

Irenaeus-bishop of Lyons about 178 A.D.-in his defense of orthodox doctrine against the Gnostics "appeals especially to the bishops of Rome, as depositories of the apostolic tradition." The list of Irenaeus commences with Linus, whom he identifies with the person of this name mentioned by Paul, and whom he states to have been "entrusted with the office of the bishopric by the apostles..... With the many possibilities of error, no more can safely be assumed of Linus.... than that he held some prominent position in the Roman church" (Lightfoot's "Dissertation on the Christian Ministry," in Commentary on Phil, 220).

"Considering the great rarity of this Greek mythological name as a proper name for persons, we can hardly doubt that here, as Irenaeus has directly asserted, the same Roman Christian is meant who, according to ancient tradition, became after Peter and Paul the first bishop of Rome. Among the mythical characters in Apostolical Constitutions, vii, 46 occurs Linos ho Klaudias, who is declared to have been ordained by Paul as the first bishop of Rome. He is thus represented as the son or husband of the Claudia whose name comes after his in 2 Timothy 4:21.

"These meager statements have been enlarged upon by English investigators. The Claudia mentioned here is, they hold, identical with the one who, according to Martial, married a certain Pudens (85-90 A.D.), and she, in turn, with the Claudia Rufina from Britain, who is then made out to be a daughter of the British king, Cogidumnus, or Titus Claudius Cogidubnus. For a refutation of these assumptions, which, even chronologically considered, are impossible, see Lightfoot, Clement, I, 76-79" (Zahn, Introduction to the New Testament, 20).

John Rutherfurd

3044. Linos -- Linus, a Christian
... Linus, a Christian. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: Linos Phonetic
Spelling: (lee'-nos) Short Definition: Linus Definition: Linus, a Christian ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3044.htm - 6k

The First Ruler of the Church of Rome.
... Rome. 1. After the martyrdom of Paul and of Peter, Linus [576] was the
first to obtain the episcopate of the church at Rome. Paul ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter ii the first ruler of.htm

Introductory Note to the First Epistle of Clement to the ...
... reader will perceive. A co-presbyter with Linus and Cletus, he succeeded them
in the government of the Roman Church. I have reluctantly ...
/.../introductory note to the first.htm

Elucidations.
... martyrdom. Linus and Cletus could not have been Bishops of Rome, for they were
merely coadjutors of the Apostles during their lifetime. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/unknown/the decretals/elucidations.htm

Catalogue of the Bishops of Rome.
... 1. "The blessed apostles [1438] having founded and established the church, entrusted
the office of the episcopate to Linus. ... [1439] On Linus, see above, Bk. ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter vi catalogue of the bishops.htm

Enumeration Ordained by Apostles.
... Of the church of Rome, Linus the son of Claudia was the first, ordained by Paul;
[3536] and Clemens, after Linus' death, the second, ordained by me Peter. ...
/.../constitutions of the holy apostles/sec iv enumeration ordained by apostles.htm

The Matter of Principal Importance
... all accuracy to make it clear that Moses is not only older than Homer, but than
all the writers that were before him"older than Linus, Philammon, Thamyris ...
/.../tatian/tatians address to the greeks/chapter xli the matter of.htm

Introductory Notice to 1St Clement.
... successor of St. Peter, others placing Linus, and others still Linus and
Anacletus, between him and the apostle. The internal evidence ...
/.../keith/the epistles of clement/introductory notice to 1st clement.htm

A Refutation of the Heretics, from the Fact That, in the Various ...
... 3. The blessed apostles, then, having founded and built up the Church, committed
into the hands of Linus the office of the episcopate. ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter iii a refutation of the.htm

Anencletus, the Second Bishop of Rome.
... [698] In the second year of his reign, Linus, who had been bishop of the church
of Rome for twelve years, [699] delivered his office to Anencletus. ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter xiii anencletus the second bishop.htm

I must Express My Surprise that Celsus Should Class the Odrysians. ...
... conferred benefits upon their contemporaries (by their deeds), and upon posterity
by their writings, he excluded Moses from the number; while of Linus, to whom ...
/.../origen/origen against celsus/chapter xvi i must express.htm

Linus (1 Occurrence)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia LINUS. li'-nus (Linos ... of them. There is a
tradition that Linus was bishop of the church at Rome. "It ...
/l/linus.htm - 9k

Claudia (1 Occurrence)
... The Apostolical Constitutions (VII, 21) name her as the mother of Linus, mentioned
subsequently by Irenaeus and Eusebius as bishop of Rome. ...
/c/claudia.htm - 8k

Pudens (1 Occurrence)
... Among these he names Pudens. There are three other names associated by the
apostle with that of Pudens: Eubulus, Linus and Claudia. ...
/p/pudens.htm - 9k

Lintels (1 Occurrence)

/l/lintels.htm - 6k

Greets (9 Occurrences)
... (See RSV). 2 Timothy 4:21 Make an effort to come before winter. Eubulus greets you,
and so do Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brethren. (WEY NAS NIV). ...
/g/greets.htm - 8k

Greeteth (1 Occurrence)
... 2 Timothy 4:21 Do thy diligence to come before winter. Eubulus greeteth thee, and
Pudens, and Linus, and Claudia, and all the brethren. (KJV WBS). ...
/g/greeteth.htm - 6k

Winter (22 Occurrences)
... 2 Timothy 4:21 Be diligent to come before winter. Eubulus salutes you,
as do Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brothers. (WEB ...
/w/winter.htm - 14k

Effort (16 Occurrences)
... (WEY NAS). 2 Timothy 4:21 Make an effort to come before winter. Eubulus greets you,
and so do Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brethren. (WEY NAS). ...
/e/effort.htm - 11k

Eubu'lus (1 Occurrence)
... 2 Timothy 4:21 be diligent to come before winter. Salute thee doth Eubulus, and
Pudens, and Linus, and Claudia, and all the brethren. (See RSV). ...
/e/eubu'lus.htm - 6k

Eubulus (1 Occurrence)
... Eubulus (1 Occurrence). 2 Timothy 4:21 Be diligent to come before winter. Eubulus
salutes you, as do Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brothers. ...
/e/eubulus.htm - 7k

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