Crispus

Crispus (meaning curled) was the ruler of the Jewish synagogue at Corinth who believed in the Lord after hearing Paul's preaching, along with his entire household (Acts 18:8). His conversion was significant because it represented the conversion of the synagogue's head official — the person responsible for organizing worship and inviting speakers — and his whole household following. Paul mentions that he personally baptized Crispus at Corinth (1 Corinthians 1:14), noting that he baptized very few individuals personally, usually leaving baptism to his associates.

The public conversion of the synagogue ruler was likely a catalyst for the wider response at Corinth, and it also contributed to the tensions that led some Jews to bring Paul before the proconsul Gallio. Crispus's replacement as synagogue ruler was presumably Sosthenes (Acts 18:17), who was later beaten by the mob before Gallio's seat. A Sosthenes is named as Paul's co-author in the opening of First Corinthians (1:1), possibly the same person who later himself became a believer.