FORTUNATUS for’ chə nā’ təs (Φορτουνᾶτος, G5847, Gr. form of Lat. Fortunatus, blessed or fortunate. Both Lat. and Gr. forms occur in papyri and inscrs.). A prominent member of the Corinthian church, mentioned only in 1 Corinthians 16:17, but some MSS also insert it in v. 15. He is named second in a three-man delegation which brought a letter from the church (1 Cor 7:1) to Paul at Ephesus. Their presence “refreshed” Paul, giving him the desired contact with that church. They apparently returned with our 1 Corinthians, which the subscription in the TR affirms.

Some forty years later Clement (Ep. ad Cor. LIX) mentions a Fortunatus whom he distinguishes from his messengers to Corinth. The commonness of the name and the time lapse make identification uncertain.

Bibliography R. C. H. Lenski, Interpretation of I Corinthians (1935), 797-800.