Fortunatus

FORTUNATUS (fôr-tū-nā'tŭs, Gr. Phortounatos, blessed, fortunate). A Christian who came with two others to bring gifts from the Corinthian church to Paul when he was about to leave Ephesus in a.d. 59 (1Cor.16.17).

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FORTUNATUS for’ chə nā’ təs (Φορτουνα̂τος, G5847, Gr. form of Lat. Fortunatus, blessed or fortunate. Both Lat. and Gr. forms occur in papyri and inscrs.). A prominent member of the Corinthian church, mentioned only in 1 Corinthians 16:17, but some MSS also insert it in v. 15. He is named second in a three-man delegation which brought a letter from the church (1 Cor 7:1) to Paul at Ephesus. Their presence “refreshed” Paul, giving him the desired contact with that church. They apparently returned with our 1 Corinthians, which the subscription in the TR affirms.

Some forty years later Clement (Ep. ad Cor. LIX) mentions a Fortunatus whom he distinguishes from his messengers to Corinth. The commonness of the name and the time lapse make identification uncertain.

Bibliography

R. C. H. Lenski, Interpretation of I Corinthians (1935), 797-800.

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (1915)

(Phortounatos):

A Roman proper name turned into Gr; same as Latin adjective fortunatus, meaning "blest," or "fortunate." Found only once in the Bible (1Co 16:17). Fortunatus, with Stephanas and Achaicus, was an amabassador of the Corinthian church, whose presence at Ephesus refreshed the spirit of the apostle Paul.