Understanding Ἀχαϊκός (Achaikos) Strong’s G883: The Faithful Corinthian Believer Who Refreshed Paul’s Spirit

Pronunciation Guide: ah-khah-ee-KOSS

Basic Definition

Strong’s G883: Ἀχαϊκός (Achaikos) refers to a man from Achaia, specifically a faithful Christian from Corinth who visited Paul in Ephesus. His name literally means “belonging to Achaia” or “an Achaian,” identifying him with the Roman province where Corinth was located. In the New Testament, he appears only once as one of three delegates from the Corinthian church who brought news to Paul and whose presence refreshed the apostle’s spirit.

Etymology and Morphology

• Part of Speech: Proper Noun (masculine)
• Origin: Derived from Ἀχαΐα (Achaia), the Roman province in the northern Peloponnese of Greece
• Usage Context: Found in epistle (letter) literature
• Primary Function: Personal name identifying an individual by geographic origin
• Structure: Adjectival form with the suffix -ικός added to the root Ἀχαΐα

Ἀχαϊκός Morphology:

• Ἀχαϊκός (nominative singular) – Achaikos (subject form)
• Ἀχαϊκοῦ (genitive singular) – of Achaikos
• Ἀχαϊκῷ (dative singular) – to/for Achaikos
• Ἀχαϊκόν (accusative singular) – Achaikos (object form)

Origin & History

The name Ἀχαϊκός is derived from the geographical region of Achaia (Ἀχαΐα), which in New Testament times referred to a Roman province encompassing the southern portion of Greece, including the city of Corinth. The -ικός suffix is a common Greek adjectival ending denoting “belonging to” or “characteristic of.”

In classical Greek literature, the term “Achaikos” was used to refer to anything pertaining to the region of Achaia or its inhabitants. Homer’s Iliad frequently uses the term “Achaians” (Ἀχαιοί) as a general designation for Greeks. By the time of the New Testament, after the Roman conquest of Greece in 146 BCE, Achaia had become the name of the Roman province covering the Peloponnese and central Greece. The Septuagint uses the term “Achaia” but the specific adjectival form “Achaikos” does not appear, making this name uniquely New Testament in its attestation among biblical literature.

Expanded Definitions & Translation Options

• A proper name of a Corinthian believer with geographical significance
• A descriptive identifier indicating someone from the Roman province of Achaia
• A personal name reflecting ethnic or regional identity in the early church

Ἀχαϊκός Translation Options:

• Achaikos – A direct transliteration preserving the original name, preferred in most modern translations to maintain historical authenticity
• the Achaian – Emphasizing his regional identity, useful for contextualizing his relationship to Corinth
• man from Achaia – A descriptive translation highlighting his geographical connection, helpful for readers unfamiliar with the proper name

Biblical Usage

Ἀχαϊκός appears only once in the entire New Testament, in 1 Corinthians 16:17, where Paul expresses joy at the arrival of Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaikos who had come from Corinth to visit him in Ephesus. These three men likely brought the letter containing the Corinthians’ questions that Paul answers throughout 1 Corinthians. Their arrival provided Paul with news about the Corinthian church’s condition and perhaps financial support.

The singular appearance of this name is significant because it shows how Paul valued individual believers enough to mention them by name, even those who might otherwise be forgotten to history. Paul specifically mentions that Achaikos, along with his companions, “refreshed my spirit” (ἀνέπαυσαν τὸ ἐμὸν πνεῦμα), suggesting that their visit brought him great encouragement during a challenging ministry period.

• “I rejoice over the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaikos [Ἀχαϊκός], because they have supplied what was lacking on your part.” 1 Corinthians 16:17

Cultural Insights

Names in the ancient world often carried significant meaning, and geographical names like Ἀχαϊκός would immediately identify a person with their place of origin. In the Roman Empire, where citizenship and provincial identity were important social markers, being identified as “from Achaia” would place Achaikos within a specific cultural and political context. Achaia was a senatorial province, considered relatively peaceful and prosperous, with Corinth serving as its capital and a major commercial center.

The three men mentioned together—Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaikos—represent an interesting mixture of naming conventions in the early church. Stephanas has a Greek name meaning “crowned one,” while Fortunatus has a Latin name meaning “fortunate” or “blessed.” Achaikos, with his Greek geographical name, completes this picture of the cosmopolitan nature of the Corinthian church, which included members from various ethnic and cultural backgrounds united in Messiah. This diversity reflects the international character of Corinth itself, a rebuilt Roman colony that served as a major trading hub connecting the eastern and western Mediterranean.

Theological Significance

Though Ἀχαϊκός appears briefly in Scripture, his mention carries theological significance regarding the nature of the body of Messiah and its function. Paul states that Achaikos and his companions “supplied what was lacking” and “refreshed my spirit and yours.” This illustrates the New Testament’s emphasis on mutual support and encouragement within the community of believers.

The Greek verb ἀναπαύω (anapauō, “to refresh”) used in connection with Achaikos’s ministry to Paul carries connotations of providing rest, relief, and comfort. This reflects יהוה’s own character as the God who provides rest for His people (Exodus 33:14) and points to Yeshua’s promise of rest for the weary (Matthew 11:28-30). That Achaikos could provide this kind of spiritual refreshment to the apostle demonstrates how God often works through ordinary believers to sustain His servants. This pattern reveals the divine wisdom in creating interdependence within the body of Messiah, where no member—not even an apostle—is self-sufficient.

Personal Application

The brief mention of Achaikos reminds us that faithfulness in seemingly small acts of service can have a profound impact. We may never know how our presence, support, or encouragement might refresh someone else’s spirit, especially those in leadership who carry heavy burdens. Like Achaikos, who journeyed from Corinth to Ephesus to support Paul, we too can be agents of refreshment in the lives of others.

Consider who in your life might need spiritual refreshment today. Perhaps God is calling you to be an “Achaikos” to someone—to supply what is lacking and bring encouragement. Sometimes our physical presence alone can be a powerful ministry, especially in an age where digital communication often replaces face-to-face fellowship. Remember that when Paul commended Achaikos and his companions, he instructed the Corinthians to “acknowledge such men.” In the same way, we should recognize and honor those who serve faithfully behind the scenes, whose ministry of presence refreshes the spirits of God’s people.

Related Words

• Ἀχαΐα (Achaia) [ah-khah-EE-ah] – The Roman province where Corinth was located, the geographical region from which Achaikos derived his name. Used in contexts discussing the spread of the gospel throughout Greece. See G882
• Κορίνθιος (Korinthios) [ko-RIN-thee-os] – Meaning “Corinthian,” referring to inhabitants of Corinth, the major city of Achaia where Achaikos lived. See G2881
• ἀναπαύω (anapauō) [a-na-POW-oh] – The verb used to describe how Achaikos “refreshed” Paul’s spirit, meaning to give rest, refresh, or bring comfort to someone. See G373
• παρουσία (parousia) [pa-roo-SEE-ah] – Used for the “coming” or “presence” of Achaikos and his companions, the same word used elsewhere for Messiah’s future return. See G3952
• ὑστέρημα (hysterēma) [hoo-STEH-ray-ma] – The “lack” or “deficiency” that Achaikos and his companions supplied to Paul, showing the mutual interdependence of believers. See G5303

Did you Know?

• Did you know? The name Ἀχαϊκός (Achaikos) identifies him with the region also called Achaia, which in Homeric times referred to a different part of Greece than in New Testament times. By the first century, “Achaia” referred to the Roman province covering most of southern Greece, with Corinth as its capital. This demonstrates how geographical terms shifted meaning through different historical periods.
• Did you know? While we only know Achaikos from a single verse in the New Testament, early church tradition suggests he may have become a significant leader in the Corinthian church. The Orthodox Church commemorates Saint Achaikos on June 15, along with his companions Stephanas and Fortunatus, recognizing them as part of the Seventy Apostles commissioned by Yeshua. While these traditions cannot be verified historically, they reflect the early church’s high regard for these faithful servants.
• Did you know? The journey from Corinth to Ephesus that Achaikos undertook to visit Paul would have been approximately 250-300 miles by sea, crossing the Aegean Sea. This journey represented a significant commitment of time and resources, and potentially considerable danger, as ancient sea travel was notoriously hazardous. This contextual detail helps us appreciate the dedication shown by Achaikos and his companions in supporting Paul’s ministry.

Remember This

Achaikos reminds us that God’s kingdom advances through faithful believers whose ministry of presence and encouragement refreshes the spirits of God’s servants, creating a network of mutual support that strengthens the entire body of Messiah.