Spending just a few minutes each day reading the Bible, with the help of a plan and some notes, makes the it easier to understand.
Erastus, the city treasurer
Corinth is one of the cities where the Apostle Paul preached and established a church, or ecclesia. The first century believers met in the house of a man called Justus, next door to the Jewish synagogue. [Acts 18.7] The record in Acts tells us that Paul stayed in Corinth for eighteen months, teaching the Word of God, and many Corinthians, hearing Paul preach, `believed, and were baptized.' [Acts 18.8] Quite a few names of these early believers at Corinth are mentioned in the Bible, including Aquila and his wife Priscilla, Crispus and his household.
When Paul wrote his letter from Corinth to the believers in Rome, he mentioned others who sent their greetings, including Gaius, Quartus, and a man named Erastus the city treasurer. [Romans 16.23 NKJV] So, here we have a record of a member of the early church at Corinth, who was also a prominent man in the city's administration.
Among the many artefacts found by the archaeologists in Corinth is a section of pavement with this man's name carved in it. The inscription on the picture reads as follows:
`ERASTUS IN RETURN FOR HIS AEDILESHIP LAID (the pavement) AT HIS OWN EXPENSE.' |
Scholars have pointed out that the AEDILE was more likely a commissioner of public works but also that a person could only get to this high position by having held other important offices, such as the city's treasurer.
This inscription, like many other archaeological `finds', confirms again the historical accuracy of God's Word and gives further encouragement to Bible students.
The Bible contains the inspired words of God, which are not only historically accurate but also a reliable guide for us to live our lives by. With the help of the archaeologist, we have this link with the past, confirming the words of Scripture:
`Erastus, the treasurer of the city, greets you.' [Romans 16.23 NKJV]