Understanding Ἀπελλῆς (Apellēs) Strong’s G559: Discovering the Faith Journey of a Roman Believer Approved in the Messiah

Pronunciation Guide: ah-pel-LACE

Basic Definition

Strong’s G559: Ἀπελλῆς was a Christian believer in Rome specifically noted by Paul as being “approved in the Messiah” (Romans 16:10). The name itself is of Greek origin and was a common name among freed slaves in Rome, particularly those of Jewish descent. The description “approved” (dokimos) suggests someone whose faith had been tested and proven genuine.

Etymology and Morphology

• Proper noun of Greek origin
• Personal name derived from the verb ἀπέλλω (apellō)
• Used in narrative sections of the New Testament
• Found in early Roman historical documents and inscriptions

Ἀπελλῆς Morphology:

• Ἀπελλῆς (nominative singular) – Apellēs (subject form)
• Ἀπελλοῦ (genitive singular) – of Apellēs
• Ἀπελλῇ (dative singular) – to/for Apellēs
• Ἀπελλῆν (accusative singular) – Apellēs (object form)

Origin & History

The name Ἀπελλῆς has a rich history in Greco-Roman culture. It was notably the name of a famous Greek painter from the 4th century BCE who served in Alexander the Great’s court. Josephus, in his “Antiquities of the Jews” (12.1.1), mentions variations of this name among Hellenistic Jews. The name appears in several Roman inscriptions from the 1st century CE, particularly among freed slaves who had taken Greek names.

The name’s etymology connects to Apollo worship in ancient Greece, though by the Roman period it had become secularized and was commonly used without pagan connotations, especially among Jewish freedmen who adopted Greek names while maintaining their faith in the God of Israel.

Expanded Definitions & Translation Options

• A faithful believer in the Roman church
• One who has been tested and proven genuine in faith
• A possible Jewish convert to Christianity in Rome
• A member of Paul’s extended ministry network

Ἀπελλῆς Translation Options:

• Apellēs (transliteration) – Preserves the historical and cultural context
• Apelles (Anglicized) – Common in English translations
• The Approved One (interpretive) – Capturing Paul’s description of him
• The Tested One (contextual) – Reflecting the meaning of his commendation

Biblical Usage

Ἀπελλῆς appears only once in the New Testament, but the context provides significant insight into early church life in Rome. Paul’s specific commendation of him as “approved in the Messiah” suggests a believer who had faced and overcome significant trials or persecution, possibly during Claudius’s expulsion of Jews from Rome or during early Christian persecution.

The description “approved” (dokimos) was a technical term used for genuine coinage that had passed the test of authenticity, metaphorically applied to indicate someone whose faith had proven genuine through testing.

• “Greet Ἀπελλῆς, the approved in Christ.” Romans 16:10

Cultural Insights

In first-century Rome, the practice of manumission (freeing slaves) was common among Jewish households. Many freed slaves took Greek names while maintaining their Jewish identity and faith. Ἀπελλῆς’s name and Paul’s commendation suggest he may have been a freed Jewish slave who had embraced faith in Yeshua (Jesus) and proven himself faithful despite significant social and religious pressures.

The term “approved” (dokimos) would have resonated deeply with Roman readers familiar with the practice of testing coins for authenticity. Just as genuine coins were “approved” through testing, Ἀπελλῆς had proven genuine through the trials he faced.

Theological Significance

The commendation of Ἀπελλῆς illustrates the transformative power of faith in the Messiah. His story demonstrates how the early church transcended social, ethnic, and cultural boundaries. Whether he was a freed slave or a free-born citizen, his identity in the Messiah superseded all other status markers.

The description “approved in the Messiah” points to the biblical truth that genuine faith is proven through testing. This connects to James’s teaching that the testing of faith produces steadfastness (James 1:3) and Peter’s assertion that tested faith is more precious than gold (1 Peter 1:7).

Personal Application

Ἀπελλῆς’s story encourages believers today who face trials and testing of their faith. Just as he was “approved” through testing, our faith grows stronger and more genuine through challenges. His example reminds us that our true identity and worth come not from our social status or background but from our standing in the Messiah.

The brief but powerful commendation he received from Paul also teaches us about the importance of recognizing and affirming evidence of God’s work in others’ lives.

Related Words

• δόκιμος (dokimos) – approved, proven, tested – Connected to the description of Apellēs, indicating one who has been proven genuine through testing See G1384
• πειρασμός (peirasmos) – trial, testing – Relates to the process through which Apellēs likely proved his faith See G3986
• μαρτυρία (martyria) – testimony, witness – References the public nature of Apellēs’s approved faith See G3141
• πίστις (pistis) – faith, faithfulness – The quality that was proven in Apellēs’s life See G4102

Did you Know?

• The name Ἀπελλῆς was particularly common among Jewish freedmen in Rome, suggesting a possible connection to the Jewish community that had been expelled under Claudius and later returned.
• Archaeological evidence from first-century Rome includes several inscriptions bearing the name Ἀπελλῆς, particularly in contexts associated with freed slaves who had achieved prominent positions in Roman society.
• The description “approved in the Messiah” uses terminology (dokimos) from the ancient practice of testing coins for authenticity, a metaphor that would have been immediately understood by the original Roman readers.

Remember This

Ἀπελλῆς stands as an eternal testimony that in the Messiah, our faith is refined through testing and our true worth is measured not by social status but by our proven character in Him.