Theophilus

Luke's gospel and Acts are addressed to someone whom Luke calls "Theophilus"

(Luke 1:3; Acts 1:1). I suggest that "Theophilus" was not his original name.

The name "Theophilus" means "lover of God" or "loved by God", and would

therefore make a very appropriate faithfulness name or impromptu alias. Parallels for

this type of theophoric alias/new name can be found in the cases of

Ignatius-Theophorus, and Titus-Timothy. We can imagine that the "most excellent"

Theophilus was a benefactor of the church and perhaps sponsored the publication

of Acts. He may have received his name in recognition of his benefaction. Other

benefactors who took an alias or new name include Joseph-Barnabas,

There is evidence for the use of the name ‘Theophiles’ as a title by kings. While no

specific case is known to history, Plutarch writes, ‘Hence those kings who were

unwilling to be proclaimed a god or son of a god, but rather Philadelphus or

Philometor or Euergetes or Theophiles, were ungrudgingly honoured by those who

gave them these noble yet human titles.’(1)

A close parallel to this type of epithet is the name "Jedidiah", meaning "beloved of

the Lord", which was given to Solomon (2 Sam12:25).

The recently discovered mosaics in Megiddo were probably from the earliest church

yet discovered in Israel/Palestine.(2) One of them refers to a benefactor who is

called "AKEPOUS H FILOQEOS". The epithet "FILOQEOS" (Philotheos) is

essentially the same word as "Theophilus". The find is therefore important because

it supports the view that "Theophilus" could indeed be a epithet used of an early

Christian benefactor.

It is possible that "Theophilus" was an alias to disguise his identity from potential

persecutors. That is to say, it could have been a protective device. The anonymity

of the gospel writers could also be protective, though there are other possible (but

unverifiable) explanations.

(1) Plutarch, Moralia On Inoffensive Self-Praise 543.