Achaicus of Corinth

About Achaicus of Corinth

Achaicus is remembered as a Christian from Corinth associated with Stephanas, Fortunatus and the apostle Paul. The Catholic Encyclopedia describes the three as carriers of correspondence between Paul and the Corinthian community. This account presents their journey as a practical service linking Christians who were living apart.

The clearest personal glimpse is in the closing chapter of First Corinthians. Paul expresses joy at the arrival of Stephanas, Fortunatus and Achaicus, saying that their presence has relieved him and made up for the Corinthians’ absence. He asks the community to recognize people such as these. Earlier in the chapter, Paul says that he intends to remain at Ephesus until Pentecost. The passage records gratitude for the visitors, rather than a full account of their lives.

The names require care when reading the surrounding verses. The Greek text’s reference to a household devoted to service names Stephanas; the translation’s textual note explains that the added names Fortunatus and Achaicus are absent from the best Greek manuscripts in that verse. Achaicus’s own arrival is securely named in verse 17. The passage does not establish his occupation, family connections, age or circumstances of death.

In Orthodox tradition, Achaicus is included among the Seventy Apostles. The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Canada lists his commemoration on June 15 and explains that the Seventy are also remembered together on January 4. The archdiocese’s account acknowledges that the lists of names vary. This later commemorative tradition is distinct from the brief New Testament notice; it does not provide a detailed itinerary for Achaicus.