Stephanas
Steph'anas (Στεφανᾶς, a contraction for the colloquial Lat. Stephanatus, "crowned"), a disciple at Corinth whose household Paul baptized (1Co 1:16), being the first converted to Christianity in Achaia (1Co 16:15). From the last of these texts it would appear that Stephanas and his family, in the most exemplary manner, "addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints," which some interpret of their having taken upon them the office and duty of deacons; but which seems to admit of a larger sense (without excluding this), namely, that all the members of this excellent family ministered to the wants and promoted the comfort of their fellow Christians, whether strangers or countrymen. As "the household of Stephanas" is mentioned in both texts, it has been supposed that Stephanas himself was dead when Paul wrote; but in ver. 17 it is said "I am glad of the coming of Stephanas." — Kitto. He was present with the apostle at Ephesus when he wrote his First Epistle to the Corinthians (A.D. 54), having gone thither either to consult him about matters of discipline connected with the Corinthian Church (Chrysost. Horn. 44), or on some charitable mission.
