Sopater is a name found in the King James Bible, appearing 1 time in the text.
Who This Was
Sopater was a Christian from Berea who is mentioned by name only once in the King James Bible, in Acts 20:4. He appears in the account of Paul’s third missionary journey, near its close, as one of the men who traveled with the apostle. The verse lists him first among a group of companions: “And there accompanied him into Asia Sopater of Berea; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timotheus; and of Asia, Tychicus and Trophimus.” These men were gathered as Paul prepared to leave the region and make his way toward Jerusalem.
The setting is significant. Paul had been laboring in Macedonia and Greece, and after a plot was made against him by the Jews, he planned to sail for Syria. His companions went ahead to Troas to wait for him, while Paul traveled by land. Sopater, a Berean, was among those who went before him. The Bereans were noted earlier in Acts for receiving the word with readiness of mind and searching the Scriptures daily, and Sopater belonged to that believing community.
Scripture records nothing further of Sopater’s words, deeds, or later life. He is named simply as one who accompanied Paul, which places him among the band of faithful believers who supported and traveled with the apostle in his ministry. His inclusion in the list shows that the work of the gospel drew together men from different cities—Berea, Thessalonica, Derbe, and Asia—united in the same mission.
The Name
The name Sopater is Greek in form, and it is generally understood to be a shortened form of Sosipater, which appears elsewhere in the New Testament (Romans 16:21). The name is commonly explained as meaning “savior of his father” or “father-saver,” from elements relating to “safe” or “sound” and “father.” This is the well-established sense of the name rather than a meaning supplied for convenience. It is worth noting that the name itself carries no special significance in the biblical text; Luke simply uses it to identify the man from Berea.
A Closing Thought
Sopater appears once and then vanishes from the record, yet his single appearance is a quiet testimony to faithful service. He did not preach a recorded sermon or perform a noted miracle; he simply walked with Paul when the road was long and the dangers real. Much of the Christian life is like this—unnamed, uncelebrated, but necessary. If your part seems small, remember Sopater. God keeps a faithful record of those who accompany His servants, even when the world takes no notice.
At a Glance
- Gender: Male
- Testament: New
- Mentions in the KJV: 1
Where It Appears in Scripture
- Acts 20:4 — And there accompanied him into Asia Sopater of Berea; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timotheus; and of Asia, Tychicus and Trophimus.