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Epaenetus
Greeted by Paul as 'the first convert to Christ in Asia'.
What we know — and how we know it
Scholarly — supported scholarly belief · 2
Life, role & deeds
ScholarlyLater Christian tradition, reflected in the pseudonymous lists of the 'Seventy Disciples' attributed to Hippolytus and to Dorotheus of Tyre, names Epaenetus as an early bishop (of Carthage in some recensions). These lists are late and legendary rather than historically reliable.
Pseudo-Hippolytus / Pseudo-Dorotheus, 'On the Seventy Apostles' (late, traditional).
Name & titles
ScholarlyThe Greek name Epainetos (Ἐπαίνετος) means 'praised' or 'worthy of praise,' from the verb epaineo, 'to commend.' It is attested as a personal name in Greek inscriptions of the period, though none can be linked to this individual.
Greek onomastics; Paul calls him 'my beloved' and the first convert (aparche) of Asia.