Stachys

Stachys (meaning: spike or an ear of grain) was a Christian at Rome whom Paul greets as "my beloved" in Romans 16:9 — a term of personal affection indicating close acquaintance. Beyond this single greeting, nothing is known of Stachys in the canonical record. The name is Greek and was found in inscriptions associated with the imperial household, leading some scholars to suggest he may have been a freed slave or servant of Caesar's household.

Paul's habit of specific personal greetings in Romans 16 reflects the network of personal relationships he had cultivated across the empire, and Stachys's inclusion among those specifically singled out for affectionate address indicates he held a particular place in Paul's circle of trusted friends and co-workers.