Crescens

Crescens (meaning growing or increasing) was a companion of Paul mentioned in 2 Timothy 4:10 as having departed for Galatia. The verse appears in Paul's final and most personal letter, written during his second Roman imprisonment, in which he notes that Demas has forsaken him for love of the present world, Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia — leaving Paul nearly alone except for Luke. Whether Crescens's departure was for missionary purposes or for personal reasons the text does not say, but the context groups him with Titus rather than with the defector Demas, suggesting his departure was mission-related.

Crescens is otherwise unknown in the New Testament. Some ancient traditions associate him with founding churches in Gaul or Vienna, but these accounts are late and historically uncertain. He is one of the minor figures in Paul's circle who appears only in the intimate personal correspondence of the Pastorals.