{
  "id": "dict_002464",
  "term": "Hermas",
  "slug": "hermas",
  "letter": "H",
  "entry_type": "biblical_person",
  "entry_family": "theological_term",
  "depth_profile": "standard",
  "short_definition": "Hermas is a New Testament name in Romans 16:14 and is also traditionally linked with The Shepherd of Hermas, an early Christian writing that is not Scripture.",
  "simple_one_line": "Hermas is a biblical name from Romans 16:14, later associated by tradition with The Shepherd of Hermas.",
  "tooltip_text": "A New Testament personal name; not to be confused with the noncanonical early Christian writing The Shepherd of Hermas.",
  "aliases": [],
  "scripture_references": [],
  "original_language_terms": [],
  "related_entries": [
    "Romans 16",
    "Roman Church",
    "Canon of Scripture",
    "Shepherd of Hermas"
  ],
  "see_also": [
    "Romans 16:14",
    "Shepherd of Hermas",
    "Canon of Scripture",
    "Early Church"
  ],
  "lede_intro": "Hermas is a personal name mentioned by Paul in Romans 16:14. The name is also traditionally associated with The Shepherd of Hermas, an early Christian work valued in some circles but not received as canonical Scripture.",
  "at_a_glance_definition": "Biblical person-name; appears in Romans 16:14; later tradition links the name to a noncanonical early Christian writing.",
  "at_a_glance_key_points": [
    "1) Hermas is named in Paul’s greeting list in Romans 16:14. 2) He should not be confused with the later work The Shepherd of Hermas. 3) The Shepherd of Hermas is an important early Christian text, but it is not Protestant canonical Scripture."
  ],
  "description_academic_short": "Hermas is a New Testament personal name appearing in Romans 16:14, where Paul greets believers in Rome. The name is also traditionally associated with The Shepherd of Hermas, a post-apostolic Christian writing that was read by some early Christians but was not received into the biblical canon.",
  "description_academic_full": "Hermas is best treated as a biblical personal name rather than as a theological concept. In Romans 16:14, Paul includes Hermas among the believers he greets in Rome. In later Christian tradition, the name became associated with The Shepherd of Hermas, an early Christian composition that was respected in parts of the early church for edification but was not accepted as Scripture. The two uses should be distinguished: the New Testament reference is canonical, while the later writing is part of early Christian background literature, not biblical canon.",
  "background_biblical_context": "Romans 16:14 is the key canonical reference. Paul’s greeting shows that Hermas was a known member of the Roman Christian community.",
  "background_historical_context": "In early Christian history, the name Hermas is linked with The Shepherd of Hermas, a post-apostolic writing. That work is historically significant for understanding early Christian piety and church life, but it is not canonical Scripture.",
  "background_jewish_ancient_context": "No direct Jewish background is certain for this entry. The name appears in a first-century Christian setting within the Roman church.",
  "key_texts_primary": [
    "Romans 16:14"
  ],
  "key_texts_secondary": [
    "None certain beyond Romans 16:14."
  ],
  "original_language_note": "Greek: Ἑρμᾶς (Hermas), a personal name.",
  "theological_significance": "Hermas has limited direct theological significance as a named believer in Paul’s greetings, but the traditional association with The Shepherd of Hermas provides a useful example of how the early church distinguished valued Christian writings from inspired Scripture.",
  "philosophical_explanation": "This entry illustrates the difference between canonical authority and later Christian literature: a text may be historically important and spiritually instructive without being Scripture.",
  "interpretive_cautions": "Do not confuse the New Testament person Hermas with the later early Christian work The Shepherd of Hermas. Do not assume the writing is apostolic, inspired, or canonical.",
  "major_views_note": "The clear New Testament identification is the person named in Romans 16:14. The association with The Shepherd of Hermas is traditional and historically important, but authorship details remain uncertain and the work is noncanonical.",
  "doctrinal_boundaries": "The Shepherd of Hermas is not Protestant canonical Scripture and must not be treated as equal to the Bible.",
  "practical_significance": "Hermas reminds readers that Paul addressed ordinary believers by name, and the later tradition surrounding the name helps readers think carefully about the church’s recognition of canonical and noncanonical writings.",
  "meta_description": "Hermas is the New Testament name in Romans 16:14, later associated with The Shepherd of Hermas, a noncanonical early Christian writing.",
  "public_url": "/companion-bible-dictionary/hermas/",
  "json_url": "/companion-bible-dictionary/data/dictionary/hermas.json",
  "final_disposition": "PUBLISH_CANONICAL"
}