Theophilus in the Gospel of Luke

Theophilus is the individual to whom Luke addresses both his Gospel and the book of Acts ^{[1, 4, 5]}. His name, meaning "friend of God" or "lover of God," has led some to speculate it might be a general term rather than a specific person, but it is generally understood to refer to a particular individual ^{[3, 7, 14]}.

Luke's salutation in his Gospel refers to Theophilus as "most noble" or "most excellent" ^{[5, 11]}. This title, also used by Paul when addressing Roman officials like Felix and Festus, suggests that Theophilus was a person of high social standing, possibly a Roman officer or someone of significant rank and consideration ^{[1, 2, 13]}. He is believed to have been a Gentile who converted to Christianity, possibly through the influence of Luke or Paul ^[1].

The dedication of both books to Theophilus indicates that Luke intended to provide him with a carefully investigated and orderly account of the events surrounding Jesus' life and the early Christian movement ^{[5, 11, 12, 14]}. While some commentators suggest Theophilus was a "pupil" receiving instruction, others propose he might have been a benefactor or patron who supported the publication and distribution of Luke's writings ^{[7, 10, 13]}. The Gospel of Luke, referred to as the "former treatise" in Acts, details "all that Jesus began to do and to teach" ^{[4, 8]}. The book of Acts then continues this narrative, describing the subsequent work of Christ through the Holy Spirit and the apostles ^{[6, 8]}. The connection between the two books is explicitly stated at the beginning of Acts, where Luke reminds Theophilus of the previous account ^{[4, 9]}.

Sources

Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Theophilus — (friend of God) the person to whom St. Luke inscribes his Gospel and the Acts of the Apostles. (Luke 1:3; Acts 1:1) From the honorable epithet applied to him in (Luke 1:3) it has been argued with much probability that he was a person in high official position. All that can be conjectured with any degree of safety concerning him comes to this, that he was a Gentile of rank and consideration who came under the influence of St. Luke or under that of St. Paul at Rome, and was converted to the Christian faith.”
Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Theophilus — Lover of God, a Christian, probably a Roman, to whom Luke dedicated both his Gospel (Luke 1:3) and the Acts of the Apostles (1:1). Nothing beyond this is known of him. From the fact that Luke applies to him the title "most excellent", the same title Paul uses in addressing Felix (Acts 23:26; 24:3) and Festus (26:25), it has been concluded that Theophilus was a person of rank, perhaps a Roman officer.”
Hitchcock's Bible Names “Hitchcock's Bible Names: Theophilus — friend of God”
Acts “Acts 1:1 (LEB) — I produced the former account, O Theophilus, about all ⌞that⌟ Jesus began to do and to teach,”
Luke “Luke 1:3 (BBE) — It seemed good to me, having made observation, with great care, of the direction of events in their order, to put the facts in writing for you, most noble Theophilus;”
Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Acts Of The Apostles — the fifth book in the New testament and the second treatise by the author of the third Gospel, traditionally known as Luke. The book commences with an inscription to one Theophilus, who was probably a man of birth and station. The readers were evidently intended to be the members of the Christian Church, whether Jews or Gentiles; for its contents are such as are of the utmost consequence to the whole Church. They are the fulfillment of the promise of the Father by the descent of the Holy Spirit, and the results of that outpouring by the dispersi”
Luke (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Luke 1:1: Complimental prefaces and dedications, the language of flattery and the food and fuel of pride, are justly condemned by the wise and good; but it doth not therefore follow, that such as are useful and instructive are to be run down; such is this, in which St. Luke dedicates his gospel to his friend Theophilus, not as to his patron, though he was a man of honour, to protect it, but as to his pupil, to learn it, and hold it fast. It is not certain who this Theophilus was; the name signifies a friend of God; some think that it does not mean any particular person, but ev”
Acts (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Acts 1 (introduction): INTRODUCTION--LAST DAYS OF OUR LORD UPON EARTH--HIS ASCENSION. (Act 1:1-11) former treatise--Luke's Gospel. Theophilus--(See on Luk 1:3). began to do and teach--a very important statement, dividing the work of Christ into two great branches: the one embracing His work on earth, the other His subsequent work from heaven; the one in His own Person, the other by His Spirit; the one the "beginning," the other the continuance of the same work; the one complete when He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, the other to continue ti”
Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 6: Augustine — Homilies on the Gospels — CHAP. VIII.--OF LUKE'S GOSPEL, AND SPECIALLY OF THE HARMONY BETWEEN ITS COMMENCEMENT AND THE BEGINNING OF THE BOOK OF THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. (part 1): 9. Next in succession, therefore, let is now go over the Gospel of Luke in regular order. We shall omit, however, those passages which he has in common with Matthew and Mark. For all these have been already handled. Luke, then, begins his narrative in the following fashion: "Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of these things which have been fulfilled(3) a”
Acts (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Acts 1:1: In these verses, I. Theophilus is put in mind, and we in him, of St. Luke's gospel, which it will be of use for us to cast an eye upon before we enter upon the study of this book, that we may not only see how this begins where that breaks off, but that, as in water face answers to face, so do the acts of the apostles to the acts of their Master, the acts of his grace. 1. His patron, to whom he dedicates this book (I should rather say his pupil, for he designs, in dedicating it to him, to instruct and direct him, and not to crave his countenance or protection), is The”
Luke (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Luke 1:3: from the very first--that is, from the very earliest events; referring to those precious details of the birth and early life, not only of our Lord, but of His forerunner, which we owe to Luke alone. in order--or "consecutively"--in contrast, probably, with the disjointed productions to which he had referred. But this must not be pressed too far; for, on comparing it with the other Gospels, we see that in some particulars the strict chronological order is not observed in this Gospel. most excellent--or "most noble"--a title of rank applied by this same”
Luke (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Luke 1 (introduction): Luke 1:1 luk 1:1 luk 1:1 luk 1:1Forasmuch as many have taken in hand,.... From hence, to the end of Luk 1:4 is a preface of the evangelist to his Gospel, setting forth the reasons of his writing it; and which he wrote and sent to the excellent Theophilus, for the further confirmation of him in the faith of Christ. It seems that many had took in hand, or attempteo set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us; that is, they undertook to write and publish a very particular and exact narrative of the birth, life, acti”
Acts (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Acts 1:1: 1:1-3 Here Luke summarizes his first book, the Gospel of Luke, which Luke had previously written to Theophilus (Luke 1:3). Theophilus is elsewhere called “most honorable” (Luke 1:3)—the title indicates that he was a person of very high social standing (cp. Acts 23:26; 24:2; 26:25). He was probably a benefactor or patron who assisted Luke with the expenses of publication or distribution of his work (see study note on Luke 1:3).”
Luke (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Luke 1:3: 1:3 As a good historian, Luke carefully investigated everything in the history of Jesus from the beginning in order to present a reliable historical account. • an accurate account: Some versions translate this phrase “in consecutive order,” but it refers to an orderly or carefully written account, not to chronological sequence. • The name Theophilus means “loved by God” or “one who loves God”; it is probably a personal name, not a descriptive name. Different theories identify him as (1) an influential unbeliever, (2) a new convert needing instruction, (3) the judge o”

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