“I am glad of the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus: for that which was lacking on your part they have supplied.” — 1 Corinthians 16:17 (KJV)
A Messenger from Corinth
Fortunatus was a member of the early Christian church at Corinth. His name, of Latin origin, means “Fortunate” or “Prosperous.” While the Bible provides only a brief glimpse of his life, he is identified as one of the three trusted men who traveled from Corinth to Ephesus to visit the Apostle Paul during a time of great tension and division in the Corinthian congregation.
It is highly probable that Fortunatus and his companions were the ones who delivered the letter from the Corinthians to Paul, which contained the specific questions Paul answers in the First Epistle to the Corinthians (e.g., questions regarding marriage, meat offered to idols, and spiritual gifts).
The “Supply” of the Saints
Paul’s description of Fortunatus is deeply affectionate. He notes that Fortunatus “supplied” that which was lacking. This likely refers to two things:
- The Gift of Presence: While the church at Corinth as a whole was struggling with carnality and conflict, the presence of Fortunatus provided Paul with the personal fellowship and encouragement he missed from the congregation.
- Refreshing the Spirit: Paul explicitly states in verse 18: “For they have refreshed my spirit and yours.” Fortunatus was a “refresher”—a man whose character and report brought life and hope to a weary Apostle.
A Man to be Acknowledged
Because of the loyalty and service shown by Fortunatus, Paul gives a command to the Corinthian church: “Therefore acknowledge ye them that are such” (1 Corinthians 16:18 KJV). In a church where many were seeking their own glory or following specific human leaders (Paul, Apollos, or Cephas), Fortunatus stood out as a man who served the body of Christ without seeking the limelight.
The Theological Significance
Fortunatus represents the “Ministry of the Encourager.” His life offers several insights for the modern believer:
- The Importance of Representation: Even in a troubled church, there are individuals like Fortunatus who remain faithful and act as bridge-builders. He did not stay in Corinth to gossip about the problems; he went to the Apostle to seek a solution.
- The Value of Fellowship: Paul, despite his great spiritual stature, needed the “refreshing” that only a brother like Fortunatus could provide. It reminds us that no leader is an island.
- The Reward of the Reliable: Fortunatus is a reminder that being “fortunate” in the biblical sense is not about material wealth, but about being in the right place at the right time to serve the Kingdom of God.
Summary
Fortunatus was a humble yet vital link between the Apostle Paul and the church at Corinth. He was a man of action who crossed the sea to bring comfort to a prisoner and clarity to a congregation. His name remains in the Eternal Record as a testimony to those who “add” to the spirit of the church rather than “subtract” from its unity.