I, Tertius, the one writing this epistle, greet you in the Lord.
Truth to Learn
God wants people to serve without excuses.
Behind the Words
The name Tertius is a Latin name meaning “third.” It was common among the Roman aristocracy to name children Primus (first), Secundus (second), Tertius (third), Quartus (fourth), Quintus (fifth), etc.
The word “writing” is from the verb graphō, which literally means “to engrave.” The earliest form of writing was to carve or engrave symbols in stone or to create figures in soft clay. Eventually, graphō came to refer to any kind of writing.
“Epistle” is transliterated from the Greek word epistolē. It refers to a form of written communication, what we today would call a letter (or a text message or an e-mail).
Meaning Explained
The first thing one is likely to think when they read this verse is, “Hey, I thought that the Apostle Paul wrote this letter!” In fact, Paul is the human author, but Tertius is the one who took pen in hand and wrote out the words for the Apostle.
The next obvious question is, “Why didn’t Paul write it, didn’t he know how to write?” Yes, Paul most certainly did know how to write. However, from his letter to the Galatian churches we find out that he had a physical infirmity, probably a problem with his eyes:
You know that because of physical infirmity I first preached the gospel to you. And you did not despise my trial in my flesh nor did you reject me, but you received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus. What then was the your blessedness? For I do testify that, if possible, you would have plucked out your own eyes and given them to me. (Galatians 4:13-15)
And later in the same letter he told them:
See with what large letters I have written to you with my own hand! (Galatians 6:11)
It seems that because of his eye problem, Paul had to write with very large letters. Not only would it have required much more writing material, which was bulky and expensive, but it would have been very difficult for Paul to have written a letter as large as the one to the Romans. Therefore, he had what is called an amanuensis, or a penman, do the actual writing for him. It is most likely that Paul dictated the letter and Tertius wrote it down for him.
So, who is Tertius? Some scholars believe that he is Silas, because Silas (a Greek name) means “third” just as the Latin name Tertius. And, we learn from Acts chapter fifteen that Paul and Barnabas split-up as a missionary team after their first trip. As a result, Barnabas took Mark and headed one direction while Paul selected Silas and headed another. Therefore, it is possible that Silas is, in fact, Tertius, the penman of this letter.
Application
The Apostle Paul may have had a serious eye problem, but it did not deter him from serving God with all his heart. Oh that the church today was filled with people like Paul who would give their all to serve God without making excuses. Are you giving God your all, or do you have excuses?
In God's service, for His glory,
Copyright © 2019 Will Krause. All rights reserved