Reference: Aristarchus

A native of Thessalonica, a faithful fellow-laborer with Paul, Ac 20:4; 27:2; Phm 1:24. His life was endangered in the riot at Ephesus, excited by the silversmiths, Ac 19:29; but having escaped, he continued with Paul, and was a prisoner with him at Rome, Col 4:10.

best ruler, native of Thessalonica (Ac 20:4), a companion of Paul (Ac 19:29; 27:2). He was Paul's "fellow-prisoner" at Rome (Col 4:10; Phm 1:24).

Aristarchus: of Thessalonica. Paul's companion on his third missionary tour, and dragged into the theater with Gains by the mob at Ephesus; he accompanied Paul to Asia, afterward to Rome (Ac 19:29; 20:4; 27:2). Paul calls him "my fellow prisoner" (lit. fellow captive, namely, in the Christian warfare), "my fellow laborer," in his epistles from Rome (Col 4:10; Phm 1:24). Epaphras similarly (Phm 1:23; Col 1:7) is called "my fellow prisoner," "our fellow servant." Paul's two friends possibly shared his imprisonment by turns, Aristarchus being his fellow prisoner when he wrote to the Colossians, Epaphras when he wrote to Philemon. Bishop of Apamaea, according to tradition.

The name of one of St. Paul's companions in travel. He was 'a Macedonian of Thessalonica' (Ac 19:29; 27:2), and a convert from Judaism (Col 4:10 f.). From Troas, Aristarchus accompanied St. Paul on his departure for Jerusalem at the close of the third missionary journey (Ac 20:4); he also embarked with the Apostle on his voyage to Rome (Ac 27:2). In Col 4:10 he is called St. Paul's 'fellow-prisoner' (cf. Phm 1:23, where Epaphras, not Aristarchus, is styled 'my fellow-prisoner in Christ Jesus'). The expression probably refers not to a spiritual captivity, but either to a short imprisonment arising out of the turmoil described in Ac 19:29, or to a voluntary sharing of the Apostle's captivity by Aristarchus and Epaphras.

J. G. Tasker.

Aristar'chus

A Macedonian of Thessalonica, companion of Paul on several journeys and on his way to Rome. Paul once calls him 'my fellow prisoner.' Ac 19:29; 20:4; 27:2; Col 4:10; Phm 1:24.

Aristar'chus

(the best ruler), a Thessalonian,

Ac 20:4; 27:2

who accompanied St. Paul on his third missionary journey.

Ac 19:29

He was with the apostle on his return to Asia,

Ac 20:4

and again, Acts 27:2 on his voyage to Rome. We trace him afterwards as St. Paul's fellow prisoner in

Col 4:10

and Phle 1:24 Tradition makes him bishop of Apamea.

ARISTARCHUS, spoken of by St. Paul in his Epistle to the Col 4:10, and often mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles. He was a Macedonian, and a native of Thessalonica. He accompanied St. Paul to Ephesus, and there continued with him during the two years of his abode in that place, sharing with him in all the dangers and labours of the ministry, Ac 19:29; 20:4; 27:2. He was near losing his life in a tumult raised by the Ephesian silversmiths. He left Ephesus with the Apostle, and went with him into Greece. From thence he attended him into Asia; from Asia into Judea, and from Judea to Rome.