(Πύρρος, a Greek name)
In à ABDE and several ancient versions Sopater of BerCEa, who accompanied St. Paul on at least part of his return journey from Greece to Palestine, is described in Acts 20:4 as ‘the son of Pyrrhus’ (Σώπατρος Πύρρου). In the TR_ Πύρρου is omitted in accordance with later MSS_ and versions. Hence the omission in the English AV_ and the addition in the RV_. Nothing further is known of Pyrrhus or of Sopater (q.v._), unless the latter, as is possible, is identical with Sosipater of Romans 16:21, who is one of three men who send salutations from Corinth as ‘kinsmen’ of St. Paul, i.e. fellow-Jews. If we consider this identification likely, we shall suppose father and son to have been Hellenistic Jews, and perhaps both to have been among the ‘many’ converts made at BerCEa during the Apostle’s visit there (Acts 17:10-14). The mention of Pyrrhus at all may indicate that he had become well known as a Christian. On the other hand, some commentators consider that his name has been inserted purposely to distinguish Sopater from Sosipater. This is the only instance of a patronymic of the usual Greek fashion in the NT. It may point to a family of some social position.
T. B. Allworthy.