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THEOPHILUS

Possible a government official or a person of high rank to whom Luke dedicated his Gospel. Most likely a potential convert, as may be inferred from Luke's final words in the introduction: ". . . how well founded the teaching is that you have received" (Luke 1:4). Luke also directed Theophilus' attention to the Acts of the Apostles, addressing him by name in the opening sentence (Acts 1:10. 9Etym. Greek theophilos, beloved of God.)

All items in this dictionary are from Fr. John Hardon's Modern Catholic Dictionary, © Eternal Life. Used with permission.

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