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Hermas (Greek God)

Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament

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(Ἑρμῆς, Romans 16:14)

Hermas was a very common Greek name, being the name of the popular Greek god. Lightfoot remarks that, in the Imperial household inscriptions, not less than a score of persons might be counted who bore this name about the date of Romans (Philippians⁴, 1878, p. 176). In the NT it is found as the third of a group of five names (all Greek) of Christians saluted by St. Paul (See Hermas). It is significant that a Christian should have no scruple in retaining as his name the name of one of the gods. Another instance is Nereus (Romans 16:15).

T. B. Allworthy.