Phlegon is a name found in the King James Bible, appearing 1 time in the text.
Who This Was
Phlegon was a Christian mentioned by Paul in his letter to the Romans, likely a member of the Roman church. He is named only once in Scripture, in Romans 16:14, where Paul writes: “Salute Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermas, Patrobas, Hermes, and the brethren which are with them.” This places him among a group of believers in Rome to whom Paul sent personal greetings at the close of his letter.
The setting of this mention is significant. Romans 16 consists largely of greetings from Paul to individuals and house groups within the church at Rome—people he had come to know or know of through his ministry and travels. Phlegon is listed alongside Asyncritus, Hermas, Patrobas, and Hermes, and the phrase “the brethren which are with them” suggests that these five were associated with a particular gathering or house church in the city. Paul does not attach any description to Phlegon beyond his name; no office, no deed, and no personal note are recorded.
What Scripture says of Phlegon, then, is simply that he was among the saints in Rome whom Paul greeted. He did not perform any recorded act, and no words of his are preserved. His inclusion in the letter shows that he was known to Paul and counted among the faithful, but the text itself tells us nothing more about his life, background, or role in the church.
The Name
The name Phlegon is Greek, and its meaning is well established. It derives from the Greek verb *phlegō*, meaning “to burn” or “to blaze,” and is related to the word for flame. The name is therefore commonly understood to mean “burning” or “flaming.” It was a genuine personal name in the ancient world, not merely a descriptive term, and is attested in secular sources as well. The meaning is not in doubt, though Scripture assigns no symbolic significance to it in Phlegon’s case.
A Closing Thought
Phlegon appears in Scripture only as a name on a greeting list—no sermon, no miracle, no martyrdom recorded. Yet Paul thought it worth the ink to greet him by name. Most of us will live similarly quiet lives of faith, known fully to God though unknown to history. That is no small thing. A name written in a letter because someone belonged to Christ is a picture of a greater truth: our names are known to the One who saves us, and being counted among the brethren is honor enough.
At a Glance
- Gender: Male
- Testament: New
- Mentions in the KJV: 1
Where It Appears in Scripture
- Romans 16:14 — Salute Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermas, Patrobas, Hermes, and the brethren which are with them.