linus Summary and Overview
Bible Dictionaries at a Glance
linus in Smith's Bible Dictionary
(a net), a Christian at Rome, known to St. Paul and to Timothy, #2Ti 4:21| who was the first bishop of Rome after the apostles. (A.D. 64.)
linus in Schaff's Bible Dictionary
LI'NUS , a Christian of Rome, a friend of St. Paul and Timothy, 2 Tim 4:21, and, according to tradition, the first bishop of Rome after Peter.
linus in Fausset's Bible Dictionary
2 Timothy 4:21 put third, "Eubulus greeteth thee, and Pudens, and Linus"; therefore not yet bishop, but a Christian then at, Rome; afterward its bishop (Irenaeus, iii. 3, section 3; Eusebius, H. E. iii. 2). Irenaeus implies that Linus was made bishop by Paul and Peter before Peter's death; but the Scripture evidence is against Peter's having been at Rome at all, and certainly before Paul's death. Pearson fixes on A.D. 55-67 as the period of Linus' episcopate. Tertullian (Praescr. Haer. 32) asserts that Clement (third bishop) also was consecrated by Peter. The statements of the fathers are mutually conflicting and unsatisfactory.