HERMOGENES hər mŏj’ ə nez (̔Ερμογένης, G2259, born of Hermes). Named with Phygellus as among the disciples in proconsular Asia who “turned away” from Paul when he rightly expected their support (2 Tim 1:15). Some view it as a doctrinal defection; more prob. it was his refusal to testify in Paul’s behalf during the second imprisonment at Rome for fear of sharing Paul’s fate. Hermogenes and the others stand in contrast to Onesiphorus (v. 16).

In the Acts of Paul and Thecla (II. i), Demas and Hermogenes are named as Paul’s companions, “full of hypocrisy,” when he fled to Iconium.

Bibliography B. S. Easton, The Pastoral Epistles (1947), 48; W. Hendriksen, NT Commentary, the Pastoral Epistles (1957), 238-240.