Parmenas
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Topical Encyclopedia
Parmenas is a biblical figure mentioned in the New Testament, specifically in the Book of Acts. He is recognized as one of the seven men chosen to serve in the early Christian community in Jerusalem. These men were selected to address a specific need within the church, ensuring that the daily distribution of food was conducted fairly, particularly for the Hellenistic Jewish widows who were being overlooked.

Scriptural Reference:

Parmenas is mentioned in Acts 6:5, which states: "This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism." (Berean Standard Bible)

Role and Significance:

The context of Parmenas' selection is crucial to understanding his role in the early church. The apostles, faced with the challenge of managing both spiritual and practical needs, decided to appoint seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and wisdom, to oversee the distribution of food. This decision allowed the apostles to focus on prayer and the ministry of the word (Acts 6:2-4).

Parmenas, along with the other six men, is often referred to as one of the first deacons, although the term "deacon" is not explicitly used in this passage. The Greek word "diakonia," meaning service or ministry, is used to describe their work, which aligns with the later development of the deacon's role in the church.

Character and Qualities:

While the Bible does not provide extensive details about Parmenas' life or character, his selection as one of the seven indicates that he was a man of integrity, filled with the Holy Spirit and wisdom. These qualities were essential for the task of ensuring equitable treatment within the community, reflecting the early church's commitment to justice and care for all its members.

Tradition and Legacy:

Early Christian tradition holds that Parmenas continued to serve faithfully in the church. Some accounts suggest that he later became a missionary and suffered martyrdom, although these details are not confirmed by the biblical text. His inclusion in the list of the seven highlights the importance of service and the diverse roles within the body of Christ.

Parmenas' account, though brief, underscores the significance of practical service in the life of the church and the necessity of addressing both spiritual and physical needs within the Christian community. His example serves as a reminder of the vital role that each member plays in the functioning and growth of the church, regardless of the prominence of their position.
Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary
Parmenas

that abides, or is permanent

Smith's Bible Dictionary
Parmenas

(abiding), one of the seven deacons, "men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom." (Acts 8:5) There is a tradition that he suffered martyrdom at Philippi in the reign of Trajan.

ATS Bible Dictionary
Parmenas

One of the first seven deacons, Acts 6:5.

Easton's Bible Dictionary
Constant, one of the seven "deacons" (Acts 6:5).
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
PARMENAS

par'-me-nas (Parmenas): A Greek name, an abbreviated form of Parmenides. Parmenas was one of "the seven" chosen by the people and appointed by the apostles to superintend the daily distribution to the Christian poor of Jerusalem (Acts 6:5). Tradition states that he was martyred at Philippi, in the reign of Trajan, but his name does not appear again in Scripture.

Greek
3937. Parmenas -- "constant," Parmenas, a Christian
... 3936, 3937. Parmenas. 3938 . "constant," Parmenas, a Christian. Part of
Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: Parmenas Phonetic ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3937.htm - 6k
Library

Acts v. 34
... happening as in the case of Judas, as in the case of Ananias and Sapphira""and Philip,
and Prochoras, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xiv acts v 34.htm

The Same Hippolytus on the Seventy Apostles.
... 9. Nicanor died when Stephen was martyred. 10. Timon, bishop of Bostra. 11.
Parmenas, bishop of Soli. 12. Nicolaus, bishop of Samaria. 13. ...
/.../the extant works and fragments of hippolytus/the same hippolytus on the.htm

Stephen the First Christian Martyr
... This plan pleased all the disciples; so they chose Stephen, a man of strong faith
and spiritual power, Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus ...
/.../sherman/the childrens bible/stephen the first christian martyr.htm

Since the Book of the Acts Tells us that Seven Deacons were ...
... whole multitude: and they chose Stephen a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost,
and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/canon xvi since the book.htm

The visitation
... 3. THE BIRTH OF JOHN. MARY RETURNS TO NAZARETH. [On June 9 ^th, 1821, Catherine
Emmerich discovered near her a relic of Christ's disciple Parmenas, and amongst ...
/.../emmerich/the life of the blessed virgin mary/ix the visitation.htm

Acts VI
... multitude; and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and
Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas, a ...
/.../mcgarvey/a commentary on acts of the apostles/acts vi.htm

The Institution of Deacons, and the History of Stephen.
... whole multitude; and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost,
and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture viii the institution of.htm

Thesaurus
Parmenas (1 Occurrence)
... Standard Bible Encyclopedia. PARMENAS. par'-me-nas (Parmenas): A Greek name, an
abbreviated form of Parmenides. ... Multi-Version Concordance Parmenas (1 Occurrence) ...
/p/parmenas.htm - 7k

Par'menas (1 Occurrence)
Par'menas. Parmenas, Par'menas. Parnach . Multi-Version Concordance Par'menas
(1 Occurrence). ... Parmenas, Par'menas. Parnach . Reference Bible.
/p/par'menas.htm - 6k

Nicolas (1 Occurrence)
... multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and
Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a ...
/n/nicolas.htm - 8k

Nicolaus (1 Occurrence)
... They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, Philip, Prochorus,
Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch; (WEB ASV YLT ...
/n/nicolaus.htm - 7k

Nica'nor (1 Occurrence)
... multitude, and they did choose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit,
and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus ...
/n/nica'nor.htm - 6k

Nicola'us (1 Occurrence)
... multitude, and they did choose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit,
and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus ...
/n/nicola'us.htm - 6k

Judaism (5 Occurrences)
... They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, Philip, Prochorus,
Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch; (See NIV). ...
/j/judaism.htm - 8k

Group (32 Occurrences)
... They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, Philip, Prochorus,
Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch; (See NIV). ...
/g/group.htm - 16k

Ti'mon (1 Occurrence)
... They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, Philip, Prochorus,
Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch; (See RSV). ...
/t/ti'mon.htm - 6k

Timon (1 Occurrence)
... They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, Philip, Prochorus,
Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch; (WEB KJV WEY ...
/t/timon.htm - 7k

Resources
Who was Prochorus in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Concordance
Parmenas (1 Occurrence)

Acts 6:5
These words pleased the whole multitude. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch;
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV)

Subtopics

Parmenas

Parmenas: One of the Disciples

Related Terms

Parmenas (1 Occurrence)

Parnach (1 Occurrence)

Parmashta: Son of Haman
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