Apelles

In his greeting list to the church in Rome, Paul mentions Apelles with a special honorific: 'the one who has stood the test in Christ' (Greek: dokimos). This expression indicates a believer who has undergone trials and proven genuine in faith, just as metal is tested by fire. Apelles is one of over 26 named individuals in Romans chapter 16, a unique greeting list that offers a rare glimpse into the diversity and social breadth of the early Christian community in Rome. Beyond this brief but telling mention, we know nothing more about Apelles from the New Testament.