Narcissus is a figure mentioned in the New Testament, specifically in the Apostle Paul's Epistle to the Romans. The reference to Narcissus is found in Romans 16:11, where Paul writes, "Greet those who belong to the household of Narcissus who are in the Lord" . This brief mention provides a glimpse into the early Christian community in Rome and highlights the presence of believers within the household of Narcissus.

Historical Context

The name Narcissus was common in the Roman world, and it is likely that the Narcissus mentioned by Paul was a prominent figure, possibly a freedman or a wealthy individual with a large household. During the first century, it was not uncommon for entire households, including family members, servants, and slaves, to convert to Christianity. The mention of "those who belong to the household of Narcissus" suggests that there were multiple believers within this household, indicating the spread of the Christian faith across different social strata in Rome.

Possible Identification

Some scholars have speculated that this Narcissus might be identified with a well-known freedman of Emperor Claudius, who wielded significant influence in the imperial court. This Narcissus was a powerful figure until his downfall and execution under Emperor Nero. However, there is no definitive evidence to confirm that the Narcissus mentioned by Paul is the same individual. The name's commonality in Roman society makes it difficult to draw a direct connection.

Spiritual Significance

The reference to Narcissus's household in Romans 16 underscores the early church's diversity and the reach of the Gospel message. It reflects the transformative power of Christianity, which transcended social and economic boundaries, bringing together people from various walks of life into the body of Christ. The inclusion of Narcissus's household in Paul's greetings also highlights the importance of community and fellowship among believers, as well as the role of households as centers for worship and teaching in the early church.

Theological Implications

From a theological perspective, the mention of Narcissus's household serves as a reminder of the communal nature of the Christian faith. The early church was not merely a collection of isolated individuals but a network of interconnected communities bound by their shared faith in Jesus Christ. This interconnectedness is a testament to the unity and love that characterized the early believers, as they supported and encouraged one another in their spiritual journeys.

In summary, while little is known about Narcissus himself, the mention of his household in the Epistle to the Romans provides valuable insight into the early Christian community's composition and the Gospel's impact on diverse groups within the Roman Empire.Narcissus

astonishment; stupidity

Narcissus

(stupidity), a dweller at Rome, (Romans 16:11) some members of whose household were known us Christians to St. Paul. Some have assumed the identity of this Narcissus with the secretary of the emperor Claudius; but this is quite uncertain.

Narcissus

A Roman, many of whose household Paul salutes as Christians, Romans 16:11. Two men of this name are mentioned in Roman histories of that time; one, executed three or four years before Paul wrote, was a favorite of the emperor Claudius; the other, of Nero his successor.

Daffodil, a Roman whom Paul salutes (Romans 16:11). He is supposed to have been the private secretary of the emperor Claudius. This is, however, quite uncertain. 1. (n.) A beautiful youth fabled to have been enamored of his own image, and to have been changed into the flower called Narcissus.

2. (n.) A genus of endogenous bulbous plants with handsome flowers, having a cup-shaped crown within the six-lobed perianth, and comprising the daffodils and jonquils of several kinds.

NARCISSUS

nar-sis'-us (Narkissos): In Romans 16:11 Paul sends greetings to "them of the household of Narcissus, that are in the Lord." "The last words may suggest that, though only the Christians in this household have a greeting sent to them, there were other members of it with whom the church had relations" (Denney).

Narcissus is a common name, especially among freedmen and slaves. But, as in the case of Aristobulus, some famous person of this name must be meant. Conybeare and Howson mention two, one the wellknown favorite of Claudius, the other a favorite of Nero. The latter, who was put to death by Galba (Dio Cass. lxiv.3), they think to be the Narcissus meant here (Paul, chapter xix). On the other hand, Bishop Lightfoot (Phil, 175) holds that "the powerful freedman Narcissus, whose wealth was proverbial (Juv. Sat. xiv.329), whose influence with Claudius was unbounded, and who bore a chief part in the intrigues of this reign, alone satisfies this condition." Shortly after the accession of Nero, he had been put to death by Agrippina (Tac. Ann. xiii.1;. Dio Cass. lx.34) in 54 A.D. As this occurred three or four years before the Epistle to the Romans was written, some think another Narcissus is meant. However, as was usual in such cases, his property would be confiscated, and his slaves, becoming the property of the emperor, would swell "Caesar's household" as Narcissiani.

S. F. Hunter

3488. Narkissos -- Narcissus, a Roman
... Narcissus, a Roman. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: Narkissos Phonetic
Spelling: (nar'-kis-sos) Short Definition: Narcissus Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3488.htm - 6k

The Miracles of Narcissus.
... Book VI. Chapter IX."The Miracles of Narcissus. 1. The citizens of that
parish mention many other miracles of Narcissus, on the ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter ix the miracles of narcissus.htm

The Bishops in Jerusalem.
... Jerusalem. 1. At this time Narcissus [1530] was the bishop of the church
at Jerusalem, and he is celebrated by many to this day. ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter xii the bishops in jerusalem.htm

Alexander.
... 1. But as on account of his great age Narcissus was no longer able to perform his
official duties, [1822] the Providence of God called to the office with him ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pamphilius/church history/chapter xi alexander.htm

Alexander
... Alexander, [2476] bishop of Cappadocia, desiring to visit the Holy Land, came to
Jerusalem, at the time when Narcissus, bishop of this city, already an old man ...
/.../jerome and gennadius lives of illustrious men /chapter lxii alexander.htm

Translator's Biographical Notice.
... of a church in Cappadocia, but on his visiting Jerusalem he was appointed to the
bishopric of the church there, while the previous bishop Narcissus was alive ...
/.../the writings of alexander of cappadocia/translators biographical notice.htm

Two Households
... '... Salute them which are of Aristobulus' household.11. ... Greet them that be
of the household of Narcissus, which are in the Lord.'"Romans 16:10, 11. ...
/.../maclaren/romans corinthians to ii corinthians chap v/two households.htm

Tryphena and Tryphosa
... and their names may indicate that they at least inherited a tendency to exclusiveness;
yet here they occur immediately after the household of Narcissus and in ...
/.../maclaren/romans corinthians to ii corinthians chap v/tryphena and tryphosa.htm

The Bishops of Jerusalem.
... Narcissus having departed, and no one knowing where he was, those presiding over
the neighboring churches thought it best to ordain another bishop. ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter x the bishops of jerusalem.htm

The Bishops that were Well Known at this Time.
... Theophilus [1683] presided at C??sarea in Palestine; and Narcissus, [1684] whom we
have mentioned before, still had charge of the church at Jerusalem. ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter xxii the bishops that were.htm

Letter Xlvii. --To the Church of Alexandria on the Same Occasion.
... For you yourselves, beloved, are not ignorant what the successors of the ill-named
heresy of Eusebius did, namely Theodore, Narcissus, Valens, Ursacius, and ...
/.../select works and letters or athanasius/letter xlvii to the church of.htm

Narcissus (2 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) A beautiful youth fabled to have been enamored of his own image, and to
have been changed into the flower called Narcissus. ...NARCISSUS. ...
/n/narcissus.htm - 9k

Narcis'sus (1 Occurrence)
... Narcissus, Narcis'sus. Nard . ... Romans 16:11 salute Herodion, my kinsman; salute
those of the 'household' of Narcissus, who are in the Lord; (See RSV). ...
/n/narcis'sus.htm - 6k

Rose (279 Occurrences)
... only in these passages), rendered "rose" (RV marg., "autumn crocus"), is supposed
by some to mean the oleander, by others the sweet-scented narcissus (a native ...
/r/rose.htm - 37k

Caesar's (10 Occurrences)
... 7. Aristobulus and Narcissus: Ramsay (St. Paul the Traveler, etc., 353),
speaking of Lightfoot's conjectures, already referred to ...
/c/caesar's.htm - 18k

Kinsman (29 Occurrences)
... Romans 16:11 Greet Herodion, my kinsman. Greet them of the household of Narcissus,
who are in the Lord. (WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV). ...
/k/kinsman.htm - 19k

Narath

/n/narath.htm - 6k

Greetings (48 Occurrences)
... Aristobulus. (WEY). Romans 16:11 Greetings to my countryman, Herodion; and to
the believing members of the household of Narcissus. (WEY). ...
/g/greetings.htm - 18k

Greet (46 Occurrences)
... (WEB WEY NAS RSV NIV). Romans 16:11 Greet Herodion, my kinsman. Greet them of the
household of Narcissus, who are in the Lord. (WEB KJV WEY WBS NAS RSV NIV). ...
/g/greet.htm - 19k

Relation (86 Occurrences)
... (BBE). Romans 16:11 Give my love to Herodion, my relation. Say a kind word to
those of the house of Narcissus, who are in the Lord. (BBE). ...
/r/relation.htm - 33k

Relative (33 Occurrences)
... Romans 16:11 Give my love to Herodion, my relation. Say a kind word to those
of the house of Narcissus, who are in the Lord. (See NIV). ...
/r/relative.htm - 16k

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