Bible Dictionary
Crispus
Crispus was the ruler of the synagogue at Corinth who believed in the Lord with his household. Paul baptized him, making him one of the few Corinthian converts Paul personally baptized.
Definition
Crispus was the ruler of the Jewish synagogue at Corinth who became a believer. His name means “curled.” He belonged to the small number of Corinthian believers personally baptized by Paul.
Biblical Usage
Crispus believed in the Lord with all his household and was baptized by Paul. He appears in the account of Paul’s ministry at Corinth and in Paul’s statement that he personally baptized him.
Historical Background
The supplied material says that Crispus seems to have been succeeded by Sosthenes as synagogue ruler. A later tradition identifies him as bishop of Aegina.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Curled, the chief of the synagogue at Corinth (Acts 18:8). He was converted and, with his family, baptized by Paul (1 Cor. 1:14).
Smith's Bible Dictionary
(curled), ruler of the Jewish synagogue at Corinth, (Acts 18:8) baptized with his family by St. Paul. (1 Corinthians 1:14) (A.D. 50.)
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>kris'-pus (Krispos, "curled"): One of the small number baptized by Paul among the Corinthian Christians (1Co 1:14). He had been ruler of the Jewish synagogue, but he "believed in the Lord with all his house"; and, following Paul, withdrew from the synagogue (Ac 18:7,8). He seems to have been succeeded by Sosthenes (Ac 18:17). According to tradition he became bishop of Aegina.</p>