The Honorific Title ‘Savior’ in Ancient Coins, the Inscriptions of Ephesus, and 1 Timothy

The coins of Ephesus provide a modern window into the ancient material world of this city. The letters and images stamped on them contain clues about life and society. Among the common terms in the numismatic record, we find the honorific title, “Savior,” coupled with different images.

The inscriptions of Ephesus represent another abundant source of ancient information. They celebrate the prominence of the city as the first and greatest metropolis of Asia. The epigraphic evidence also honors both people and gods associated with the city using the title, “Savior.”

Interestingly, the author of 1 Timothy, a letter with Ephesian provenance, also employs the title, “Savior,” three times. This study aims to see how the coins and inscriptions of Ephesus can add depth to our knowledge and aid us in reading the three texts in 1 Timothy.

This paper engages fresh research linked to this honorific title in four sections: (1) the use of “Savior” in the coins of Ephesus, (2) the occurrences of “Savior” in Ephesian inscriptions, (3) a review of the three texts in which the term appears in 1 Timothy, and (4) a summary of findings.