Stephanas in Fausset's Bible Dictionary

A Christian at Corinth whose household, "the firstfruits of Achaia," Paul baptized (1 Corinthians 1:16; 1 Corinthians 16:15-17). In Romans 16:5 oldest manuscripts read "Asia" for Achaia. Fortunatus and Achaicus were probably of this household. By joining Paul at Ephesus they with Stephanas supplied means of communion between Paul and the Corinthians, taking his letter back with them. They refreshed his spirit as representatives of the absent Corinthians, they helped and laboured with him. So Paul urges the Corinthians, "acknowledge ye them," by a kindly welcome recognizing their true worth. The partisans of Apollos, Cephas, and Christ, might possibly receive them coldly as having been baptized by Paul, hence he "beseeches" the Corinthians in their behalf. They had "addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints" voluntarily (2 Corinthians 8:4; 2 Corinthians 9:1), namely, to their temporal relief (Romans 15:25; Hebrews 6:10).