Bible Concordance: Theodotus

the-od'o-tus (Theodotos):

(1) One of the three ambassadors sent by the Syrian general Nicanor to Judas to make peace (2 Maccabees 14:19).

(2) One who plotted to assassinate Ptolemy Philopator, but was prevented by a Jew, Dositheos (3 Maccabees 1:2).

Library

Theodotus.
... Book X. Chapter XIX."Theodotus. But Theodotus of Byzantium introduced
a heresy of the following description, alleging that all ...
/.../hippolytus/the refutation of all heresies/chapter xix theodotus.htm

Theodotus
... Chapter LVI. Theodotus. ... Footnotes: [2668] Theodotus Bishop of Ancyra
431-8. [2669] Theodotus T ? ae; Theodorus a 25 30 31 Fabr. Her. ...
/.../jerome and gennadius lives of illustrious men /chapter lvi theodotus.htm

To the Presbyter Theodotus.
... Letters of the Blessed Theodoret, CVII. To the Presbyter Theodotus. The
struggles which your piety has undergone on behalf of the ...
/.../the ecclesiastical history of theodoret/cvii to the presbyter theodotus.htm

The Heresy of Theodotus.
... Book VII. Chapter XXIII."The Heresy of Theodotus. But there was a certain Theodotus,
[889] a native of Byzantium, who introduced a novel heresy. ...
/.../the refutation of all heresies/chapter xxiii the heresy of theodotus.htm

Excerpts of Theodotus
Excerpts of Theodotus. <. Excerpts of Theodotus Theodotus. Translated
by the Rev. William Wilson, MA Table of Contents. Title Page. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/theodotus/excerpts of theodotus/

Of Theodotus Bishop of Antioch.
... Book V. Chapter XXXVII."Of Theodotus bishop of Antioch. Theodosius restored
the relics of the great luminary of the world to the ...
/.../chapter xxxvii of theodotus bishop of.htm

Letter clxxxv. To Theodotus, Bishop of BerÃ¦a.
... Letter CLXXXV. To Theodotus, bishop of BerÃ¦a. ... Footnotes: [2603] Placed
in 374. [2604] Nothing more is known of this Theodotus. ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/letter clxxxv to theodotus bishop.htm

Letter cxxx. To Theodotus Bishop of Nicopolis.
... TOU AGIOU BAChILEIOU PERI TOU PNEUMATOCh BIBLION. Letter CXXX. To Theodotus
bishop of Nicopolis. 1. You have very rightly and properly ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/letter cxxx to theodotus bishop.htm

Letter cxxi. To Theodotus, Bishop of Nicopolis.
... Letter CXXI. To Theodotus, bishop of Nicopolis. The winter is severe and protracted,
so that it is difficult for me even to have the solace of letters. ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/letter cxxi to theodotus bishop.htm

Excerpts of Theodotus;
Excerpts of Theodotus. <. ... Excerpts of Theodotus; or, Selections
from the Prophetic Scriptures. [197]. I. Those around ...
/.../theodotus/excerpts of theodotus/excerpts of theodotus.htm

Thesaurus

Theodotus
...THEODOTUS. the-od'o-tus (Theodotos): (1) One of the three ambassadors sent by the
Syrian general Nicanor to Judas to make peace (2 Maccabees 14:19). ...
/t/theodotus.htm - 6k

Theodotion
Theodotion. Theocracy, Theodotion. Theodotus . Int. ... See LANGUAGE OF THE NEW
TESTAMENT; SEPTUAGINT. Theocracy, Theodotion. Theodotus . Reference Bible.
/t/theodotion.htm - 6k

Dositheus
... (3) A Jew, son of Drimylus (3 Maccabees 1:3) who rescued Ptolemy Philopator from
a plot of Theodotus. He afterward proved an apostate from Judaism. ...
/d/dositheus.htm - 7k

Antiochus
... then led an army against Egypt. Theodotus surrendered to him Tyre, Ptolemais
and his naval fleet. Rhodes and Cyzicus, as well as ...
/a/antiochus.htm - 17k

Ebionites
... deny the virgin birth. Not till Theodotus appeared was the purely humanitarian
view of our Lord's person maintained. All the Hebrew ...
/e/ebionites.htm - 34k

Ebionism
... deny the virgin birth. Not till Theodotus appeared was the purely humanitarian
view of our Lord's person maintained. All the Hebrew ...
/e/ebionism.htm - 34k

Agrapha
... AD). (13) "Come out from bonds ye who will" (Clement of Alexandria). (14)
"Be thou saved and thy soul" (Theodotus in id). (15) "Blessed ...
/a/agrapha.htm - 21k

Ephesians (4 Occurrences)
... According to the addenda to the eighth book of the Stromateis of Clement of Alexandria,
Theodotus, a contemporary of Valentinus, quoted Ephesians 4:10 and 30 ...
/e/ephesians.htm - 48k

Theology

/t/theology.htm - 95k

Topical Encyclopedia

The name Theodotus, meaning "given by God," appears in various historical and biblical contexts, though it is not directly mentioned in the canonical books of the Bible. However, understanding the historical and theological implications of figures named Theodotus can provide insight into early Christian history and the development of Christian doctrine.

Historical Context

1. Theodotus of Byzantium: One of the most notable figures named Theodotus is Theodotus of Byzantium, a second-century AD heretic who played a significant role in the development of early Christological controversies. He is known for propagating Adoptionism, a doctrine that claimed Jesus was born a mere man and was later adopted as the Son of God at His baptism. This view was deemed heretical by the early Church as it contradicted the orthodox understanding of the divine nature of Christ as articulated in John 1:1, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God" (BSB).

2. Theodotus the Tanner: Another figure, Theodotus the Tanner, is associated with the Montanist movement, which emerged in the late second century. Montanism emphasized new prophecy and a more rigorous moral code, often clashing with the established Church. Theodotus the Tanner was reportedly a follower of Montanus and contributed to the spread of this movement, which was eventually declared heretical.

Theological Implications

The controversies surrounding figures like Theodotus of Byzantium highlight the early Church's struggle to define and defend the doctrine of the Trinity and the nature of Christ. Theodotus's teachings challenged the Church to articulate more clearly the belief in Jesus Christ as fully God and fully man, a doctrine that was later affirmed in the Nicene Creed. This creed, established at the First Council of Nicaea in AD 325, was a direct response to various heretical teachings, including those of Theodotus, and affirmed the co-eternity and co-equality of the Son with the Father.

Biblical References and Interpretations

While Theodotus is not mentioned in the Bible, the issues raised by his teachings are addressed in several New Testament passages. For instance, Colossians 2:9 states, "For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity dwells in bodily form" (BSB), affirming the divine nature of Christ against Adoptionist claims. Similarly, Philippians 2:6-7 speaks of Christ, "Who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in human likeness" (BSB), underscoring the mystery of the Incarnation.

Impact on Church Doctrine

The challenges posed by Theodotus and others like him forced the early Church to develop a more robust theological framework to counter heretical teachings. This period of doctrinal development was crucial in shaping the orthodox Christian understanding of the nature of Christ and the Trinity. Theodotus's influence, though negative, inadvertently contributed to the Church's deeper exploration and articulation of these core doctrines, which remain central to Christian faith today.

In summary, while Theodotus himself is not a biblical figure, the theological debates associated with his name played a significant role in the early Church's efforts to define and defend the truth of the Gospel as revealed in Scripture.

Resources

What is Dynamic Monarchianism? | GotQuestions.org

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus

Subtopics

Theodotus