Σωσθένης
Sōsthénēs
G4988 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Sōsthénēs is a masculine proper name meaning 'of safe strength' or 'saving strength.' The name most fundamentally signifies someone whose strength is related to safety, salvation, or well-being. In the New Testament, it serves as the name of an individual mentioned as a leader of the synagogue in Corinth (Acts 18:17), and as a co-sender/greeted figure in the heading of Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians (1 Cor 1:1). The semantic range is limited by its usage as a personal name, but the underlying meaning conveys the idea of strength that protects, saves, or delivers.
Semantic Range
personal name; literally, 'saving strength' or 'safe in strength'; bearer of strong or preservative power
Root / Etymology
Formed from σῴζω (to save, preserve, rescue) and σθένος (strength), suggesting 'saving strength' or 'one whose strength saves.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
Σωσθένης is attested as a Greek personal name in the Hellenistic and Roman periods. In the New Testament, the name is borne by a specific person at Corinth: a leader of the synagogue who, after Paul’s hearing before Gallio, is beaten by a crowd (Acts 18:17); and in 1 Corinthians 1:1, where Sōsthénēs is listed alongside Paul as a correspondent to the church in Corinth—interpreted by many as the same individual, though this identification is not confirmed within the text. The name’s components—σῴζω ('to save'), σθένος ('strength')—give it a positive connotation. Personal names formed from similar compounds were common in both Greek and Hellenistic Judean communities. Standard English Bibles transliterate the name directly as Sosthenes; however, the inherent meaning of the name ('safe/victorious strength') is not captured in translation. The name does not have broader lexical meaning outside of its use as a proper noun in extant Greek literature.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from the base of σώζω and that of σθενόω; of safe strength; Sosthenes, a Christian:--Sosthenes.
Root Family
Σωσθένης (Sōsthénēs) — to save, to preserve, to rescue, strength, saving strength
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G4988-01 |
Σωσθένην | sosthenen | N ACC M SG |
Sosthenes | Saving-Strength | Sosthenes | 1 |
G4988-02 |
Σωσθένης | sosthenes | N NOM M SG |
Sosthenes | Saving-Strength | Sosthenes | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G4988-01 |
Acts 18:17 | Σωσθένην | sosthenen | N ACC M SG |
Sosthenes | Saving-Strength | Sosthenes |
G4988-02 |
1 Corinthians 1:1 | Σωσθένης | sosthenes | N NOM M SG |
Sosthenes | Saving-Strength | Sosthenes |