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G1697 · Greek · New Testament
Ἑρμῆς
Hermes
Noun, masculine (proper)
Hermes (Greek messenger-god, also a person in Rome)

Definition

Hermēs (Ἑρμῆς) refers to the Greek messenger deity, and also to a Christian greeted by Paul in Romans 16:14. In Acts 14, the Lystrans call Paul "Hermes" because he was the chief speaker — Hermes being the divine herald, messenger of the gods.

Usage & Theological Significance

The incident at Lystra (Acts 14:8-18) provides a fascinating NT encounter with paganism. When Paul heals a lame man, the crowd shouts "The gods have come down in the likeness of men!" — Barnabas is Zeus, Paul is Hermes. Paul's response is a masterclass in contextualized evangelism: he meets them in their framework before redirecting to the living God. The irony is poignant: Paul, called Hermes the divine messenger, is indeed a herald — but of the true God, not Zeus. The missionaries tear their clothes in dismay at being deified, insisting on their shared humanity.

Key Verses

Acts 14:12 Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul they called Hermes because he was the chief speaker.
Acts 14:15 "Friends, why are you doing this? We too are only human, like you. We are bringing you good news, telling you to turn from these worthless things to the living God."
Romans 16:14 Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas and the other brothers and sisters with them.
1 Corinthians 1:23 We preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles.
Acts 14:18 Even with these words, they had difficulty keeping the crowd from sacrificing to them.

Word Study

The name Hermēs gives us "hermeneutics" — the art of interpretation, because Hermes was the divine interpreter between gods and men. Paul as unintentional "Hermes" is delicious irony: the apostle is indeed the interpreter and messenger of God, delivering the divine logos. That the same name designates a Roman Christian (Rom. 16:14) shows how early believers carried and redeemed pagan names.

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