In the context of the New Testament, proconsuls were Roman officials who governed senatorial provinces. These provinces were regions of the Roman Empire that were considered peaceful and did not require a military presence. The role of a proconsul was primarily administrative and judicial, and they were appointed by the Roman Senate for typically one-year terms. The presence and actions of proconsuls in the New Testament provide insight into the political and social backdrop of the early Christian church.

Biblical References:

1. Sergius Paulus · One of the most notable proconsuls mentioned in the New Testament is Sergius Paulus, who governed the island of Cyprus. In Acts 13:7, he is described as "an intelligent man" who summoned Barnabas and Saul (Paul) to hear the word of God. The account of Sergius Paulus is significant because it marks the first recorded instance of a Roman official showing interest in the Christian message. Acts 13:12 states, "When the proconsul saw what had happened, he believed, for he was astonished at the teaching about the Lord."

2. Gallio · Another proconsul mentioned in the New Testament is Gallio, who was the proconsul of Achaia. His encounter with the Apostle Paul is recorded in Acts 18:12-17. The Jews brought Paul before Gallio, accusing him of persuading people to worship God contrary to the law. Gallio dismissed the case, stating in Acts 18:14-15 , "If it were a matter of wrongdoing or a serious crime, O Jews, it would be reasonable for me to listen to you. But since it is a dispute about words and names and your own law, see to it yourselves. I refuse to be a judge of such things." Gallio's decision not to involve himself in religious disputes set a precedent for the treatment of Christianity as a legitimate religion under Roman law.

3. Lucius Junius Gallio Annaeanus · Historical records outside the Bible identify Gallio as Lucius Junius Gallio Annaeanus, the brother of the philosopher Seneca. His tenure as proconsul is dated around AD 51-52, providing a chronological anchor for the events described in Acts.

Role and Influence:

Proconsuls wielded significant influence in their provinces, and their interactions with early Christians often had profound implications for the spread of the Gospel. Their decisions could either hinder or facilitate the missionary activities of figures like Paul and Barnabas. The accounts of proconsuls in the New Testament highlight the complex relationship between the early church and Roman authorities, illustrating how God used these interactions to further His purposes.

Historical Context:

The Roman Empire was divided into senatorial and imperial provinces. Senatorial provinces, governed by proconsuls, were generally more stable and did not require a military presence, unlike imperial provinces, which were governed by legates appointed by the emperor. The proconsuls' authority was limited to civil administration and judicial matters, and they were expected to maintain peace and order in their regions.

The presence of proconsuls in the New Testament narrative underscores the historical accuracy of the biblical account, as it aligns with known Roman administrative practices of the time. Their interactions with early Christians provide a glimpse into the challenges and opportunities faced by the nascent church as it navigated the complexities of Roman rule.446. anthupatos -- a consul, proconsul
... Word Origin from anti and hupatos (highest) Definition a consul, proconsul NASB
Word Usage proconsul (4), proconsuls (1). deputy, proconsul. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/446.htm - 6k

Petilianus Said: "It is Written, Thou Shalt not Bear False Witness ...
... are not mere words flying at random through the empty void: the men are still alive,
the states bear witness to the fact, the archives of the proconsuls and of ...
/.../chapter 58 131 petilianus.htm

The Design and Unity of Luke's History
... The modern writers who professed to found their views upon Luke, after a few
picturesque paragraphs about Roman proconsuls and armies and the march of the ...
/.../ramsay/was christ born in bethlehem/chapter 2 the design and.htm

Further, the Martyrdom of Barsamya, the Bishop of the Blessed City ...
... persons of the city, should come before him, that they might hear what was the order
that was issued by the emperors, by the hand of the proconsuls, the rulers ...
/.../unknown/the decretals/further the martyrdom of barsamya.htm

Now, Then, the Epistles of the Apostles Also are Well Known. ...
... the Jews, and the assemblies of the heathen, and the indictments by tribunes, and
the hearing of causes by kings, and the judgment-seats of proconsuls and the ...
/.../scorpiace antidote for the scorpions sting/chapter xv now then the.htm

Epistle xv. To Moyses and Maximus, and the Rest of the Confessors.
... 2. Now, therefore, let magistrates and consuls or proconsuls go by; let them glory
in the ensigns of their yearly dignity, and in their twelve fasces. ...
/.../cyprian/the epistles of cyprian/epistle xv to moyses and.htm

That He Promoted Christians to Offices of Government, and Forbade ...
... sacrifices. Footnotes: [3190] [That is, the proconsuls, the vicars (or
vice-pr??fects), and counts, or provincial generals.--Bag.]. [3191 ...
/.../pamphilius/the life of constantine/chapter xliv that he promoted christians.htm

His Second Suggestion.
... Hold then, as you have adduced it, by the example of C??sar; and know that, as one
of C??sar's judges or administrators, as prefects, proconsuls, generals, or ...
/.../unknown/recognitions of clement /chapter xix his second suggestion.htm

Polytheistic Illustration.
... For in like manner as there is one C??sar, but he has under him procurators, proconsuls,
prefects, commanders of thousands, and of hundreds, and of tens; in ...
/.../unknown/the clementine homilies/chapter xiv polytheistic illustration.htm

Epistle xxiii. To John, Bishop.
... [1411] Xenia. The term denotes, among other kinds of presents, such as were voluntarily
offered to superiors, as by the people of a province to proconsuls. ...
/.../the epistles of saint gregory the great/epistle xxiii to john bishop.htm

The Bishop's Burthen
... addition to his friends and fellow-bishops, he wrote to unknown people and foreigners;
to men in high place and to lowly people; to the proconsuls, the counts ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bertrand/saint augustin/iii the bishops burthen.htm

Proconsuls (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Proconsuls (1 Occurrence). Acts 19:38 If therefore
Demetrius and the craftsmen who are with him have a ...
/p/proconsuls.htm - 6k

Province (66 Occurrences)
... consule) or propraetor (pro praetore). The proconsuls were sent to the more
important provinces. The senate determined the distinction ...
/p/province.htm - 38k

Rome (12 Occurrences)
... The governors of the latter were called generally proconsuls (see PROVINCE).
Mention is made of two proconsuls in the New Testament ...
/r/rome.htm - 43k

Grievance (7 Occurrences)
... If, however, Demetrius and the mechanics who support his contention have a grievance
against any one, there are Assize-days and there are Proconsuls: let the ...
/g/grievance.htm - 10k

Interested (4 Occurrences)
... If, however, Demetrius and the mechanics who support his contention have a grievance
against any one, there are Assize-days and there are Proconsuls: let the ...
/i/interested.htm - 8k

Deme'trius (3 Occurrences)
... Acts 19:38 if indeed, therefore, Demetrius and the artificers with him with any
one have a matter, court 'days' are held, and there are proconsuls; let them ...
/d/deme'trius.htm - 7k

Deputy (7 Occurrences)
... see). The Roman proconsuls were officers invested with consular power over
a district outside the city, usually for one year. Originally ...
/d/deputy.htm - 11k

Mechanics (2 Occurrences)
... If, however, Demetrius and the mechanics who support his contention have a grievance
against any one, there are Assize-days and there are Proconsuls: let the ...
/m/mechanics.htm - 7k

Paulus (1 Occurrence)
... an imperial province, but in 22 BC it was transferred by Augustus to the Senate,
and was therefore placed under the administration of proconsuls, as is ...
/p/paulus.htm - 9k

Procorus (1 Occurrence)

/p/procorus.htm - 6k

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