Crispus

CRISPUS (Gr. Krispos, curled, Acts 18:7-8; 1Cor.1.14). Formerly the ruler of the Jewish synagogue at Corinth; converted under the preaching of Paul and subsequently baptized by him.

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CRISPUS (Κρίσπος, G3214, from Lat. “curled,” “curly”) a superintendent of the Corinthian synagogue and an early convert there with his family (Acts 18:8), baptized by Paul (who baptized very few Corinthians, 1 Cor 1:14). Despite his Lat. name, he was not necessarily a proselyte; a Rabbi Crispus occurs in Talmud Jer. Yebamoth 12.2. Most Corinthian Jews opposed the Gospel, and synagogue preaching became impossible (Acts 18:4-8, 12); the conversion of a prominent synagogue official must have been striking. He occurs, mistakenly, for Crescens in some ancient VSS of 2 Timothy 4:10.

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (1915)

One of the small number baptized by Paul among the Corinthian Christians (1Co 1:14). He had been ruler of the Jewish synagogue, but he "believed in the Lord with all his house"; and, following Paul, withdrew from the synagogue (Ac 18:7,8). He seems to have been succeeded by Sosthenes (Ac 18:17). According to tradition he became bishop of Aegina.