Illustration created for this project.
Carpus
A believer at Troas with whom Paul left his cloak and books.
What we know — and how we know it
Bible — stated in scripture (with verse) · 1
Scholarly — supported scholarly belief · 2
Origin & birthplace
Life, role & deeds
ScholarlyLater church tradition, not the New Testament itself, numbers Carpus among the Seventy and makes him a bishop in Thrace (Beroea). This rests on the spurious list attributed to Hippolytus and Eastern menologia, so it is tradition rather than documented history.
Tradition: pseudo-Hippolytus, 'On the Seventy Apostles'; Eastern Orthodox synaxaria (commemorated 26 May).
Name & titles
ScholarlyThe name is the Greek Karpos, meaning simply "fruit" or "harvest," a common personal name in the Greco-Roman world.
Onomastic point: Greek karpos (καρπός), 'fruit'; a well-attested Hellenistic given name.
Where in scripture
2 TimothyBring the cloak that I left at Troas with Carpus when you come, and the books, especially the parchments.
2 Timothy 4:13 — Paul's cloak left with him
Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, a public-domain translation.
Places in their life
Photo: Horacio36 — CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)