Theophilus

Theophilus is a masculine given name of Greek origin, from Theophilos, meaning "friend of God" or "loved by God." It was used in the Greek-speaking world from antiquity into the Byzantine period and has appeared in various Christian and secular contexts.

The most prominent early bearer is Theophilus of Antioch (c. 120–180), a Christian apologist and bishop. He wrote a series of works defending the Christian faith and explaining Christian ethics and doctrine, including a two-volume apology addressed to Autolycus. His writings are among the early patristic sources that shaped early Christian thought.

In the New Testament, Theophilus is the addressee of the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles. Luke begins his gospel, addressed “to Theophilus” and refers to him as “most excellent Theophilus” in certain translations. The precise identity of Theophilus is not known; scholars have proposed a Roman official, a patron, or a respected layperson, but no consensus exists. The dedication suggests Luke’s purpose to acquaint Theophilus with the Christian message and its historical foundations.

Theophilus of Alexandria (d. 412) was Patriarch of Alexandria from approximately 385 to 412. He played a leading role in church administration during the late 4th and early 5th centuries, opposing certain strands of Origenist thought and supporting the consolidation of orthodoxy. He is also associated with the confrontations that culminated in the destruction of the Serapeum’s pagan library precinct during the late antique anti-pagan campaigns in Egypt.

Beyond these figures, the name Theophilus appears in other historical and liturgical contexts, but the best-known bearers are Theophilus of Antioch and Theophilus of Alexandria. The name continues to be used in various cultures today.