Legal Opposition: Τέρτυλλος (Strong’s G5061: Tertullos) Prosecutes Gospel Truth

Strong’s G5061: A proper noun identifying the professional orator hired to prosecute Paul before Felix. Of Latin origin, meaning “diminutive of Tertius.” Represents the skilled legal opposition faced by early Christians in defending their faith before Roman authorities.

U – Unveiling the Word

Τέρτυλλος represents the professional legal opposition faced by early Christians. Appearing in Acts 24:1-2, he was a skilled rhetor hired by the Jewish leaders to prosecute Paul before Felix. His role illustrates how the early church faced sophisticated legal challenges, requiring believers to defend their faith in formal settings. The early church saw in this encounter a pattern of how worldly eloquence often opposes gospel truth. Today, Tertullus reminds us that opposition to the gospel often comes through educated, articulate sources, yet divine truth prevails over human rhetoric.

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N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: Τέρτυλλος, Tertullos, ter’-tool-los
• Phonetic Guide: ter (as in “tear”) + tool + los (as in “loss”)
• Part of Speech: Noun (Proper)

Etymology:

• From Latin “Tertullus,” diminutive of “Tertius”
• Hellenized form of the Latin name
• Indicates “little third one” or “junior third”

D – Defining Meanings

• Professional orator
• Legal prosecutor
• Rhetorical advocate

Translation Options:

• “Tertullus” – preserves the proper name
• “The orator” – emphasizes his professional role
• “The prosecutor” – highlights his legal function

E – Exploring Similar Words

• ῥήτωρ (rhētōr) – orator See G4489
• συνήγορος (synēgoros) – advocate See related concept in G4828
• κατήγορος (katēgoros) – accuser See G2725

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

Nominal Features:

• Case: Nominative, Genitive, Dative, Accusative
• Number: Singular
• Gender: Masculine
• Declension: Second declension

Examples:

• Nominative: Τέρτυλλος (Tertullus)
• Genitive: Τερτύλλου (of Tertullus)
• Dative: Τερτύλλῳ (to/for Tertullus)
• Accusative: Τέρτυλλον (Tertullus as object)

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

Lexical sources illuminate Τέρτυλλος’s role. BDAG identifies him as a professional rhetor hired to prosecute Paul. Thayer’s notes his function in formal legal proceedings. LSJ documents the use of professional orators in Roman courts. Vine’s connects his role to the pattern of legal opposition to Christianity. Strong’s emphasizes his Latin name origin. Moulton and Milligan cite examples of professional advocates in legal papyri. The combined evidence suggests Τέρτυλλος represented sophisticated legal opposition to early Christianity.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First appearance:
“After five days the high priest Ananias came down with some elders and an attorney named [Τέρτυλλος], and they brought charges against Paul to the governor.” Acts 24:1

Additional References:
Acts 24:2

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

Τέρτυλλος exemplifies how worldly power and eloquence often oppose the gospel. Yet his appearance in Acts demonstrates that despite sophisticated opposition, the truth of the Messiah prevails. His role reminds us that the good news faces intellectual and legal challenges in every age, but God’s wisdom surpasses human rhetoric. Paul’s successful defense against Tertullus’s accusations shows that the Spirit provides wisdom to testify effectively when facing opposition.

D – Did You Know?

• Professional orators like Tertullus were commonly hired in Roman legal proceedings
• His name suggests he may have been from a prominent Roman family
• His speech before Felix shows typical Greco-Roman rhetorical style

Strong’s G5061: A proper noun identifying the professional orator hired to prosecute Paul before Felix. Of Latin origin, meaning “diminutive of Tertius.” Represents the skilled legal opposition faced by early Christians in defending their faith before Roman authorities.

Part of speech: Noun (Proper)

Tags: orator, prosecution, legal-proceedings, Acts, Paul, Felix, Roman-law, rhetoric, opposition, defense​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​