Cenchreae

Overview

• Type: City / Port
• Testament: New
• Modern Location: Kechries, the eastern harbor of Corinth on the Saronic Gulf, Greece

Biblical Significance

Cenchreae was the eastern seaport of Corinth, serving as its gateway to the Aegean and the lands to the east. It appears in Acts 18:18, where Paul, having spent a long season in Corinth, “sailed thence into Syria… having shorn his head in Cenchrea: for he had a vow.” This act, associated with the discipline of a Nazarite-style vow, shows the apostle’s continued reverence for personal devotion even amid Gentile ministry. The port also had a Christian congregation early on, for in Romans 16:1 Paul commends “Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea,” urging the Romans to receive her and assist her, since she had been a helper of many, including Paul himself. Cenchreae thus witnesses both to Paul’s personal piety and to the spread of the church into Corinth’s harbor district.

Key Events

• Paul shaves his head for a vow before sailing for Syria (Acts 18:18)

Key People Associated

• Paul (Apostle) — shore his head here for a vow
• Phoebe — a servant of the church at Cenchreae commended to Rome

Important Verses

• Acts 18:18
• Romans 16:1

Cross-References

• Acts — Paul’s departure from Corinth
• Corinth — the city Cenchreae served as a harbor

Notes

• Phoebe is widely thought to have carried Paul’s epistle to the Romans.