Sergius

AI summary: Sergius matters because his single cross reference shows a Roman ruler responding with intelligence and interest to the gospel in the face of occult opposition. The entry highlights that the Christian mission was capable of addressing both common people and imperial officials. Taken together, the material presents Sergius as a discerning proconsul who hears Paul's message.¹

A “prudent man” (R.V., “man of understanding”), the deputy (R.V., “proconsul”) of Cyprus (Acts 13:6-13). He became a convert to Christianity under Paul, who visited this island on his first mission to the heathen. A remarkable memorial of this proconsul was recently (1887) discovered at Rome. On a boundary stone of Claudius his name is found, among others, as having been appointed (A.D. 47) one of the curators of the banks and the channel of the river Tiber. After serving his three years as proconsul at Cyprus, he returned to Rome, where he held the office referred to. As he is not saluted in Paul’s letter to the Romans, he probably died before it was written. ³