LINUS lĭ’ nus (Λίνος, G3352). Mentioned along with others in 2 Timothy 4:21, as sending greetings to Timothy: “Eubulus sends greetings to you, as do Pudens and Linus and Claudia and all the brethren.”

Irenaeus (Her. III. iii) says that this Linus was given the office of the episcopate of the church in Rome by the apostles Peter and Paul. Linus’ successor, Irenaeus says, was Anacletus (Anencletus), and after him, in the third place from the apostles, Clement was given the bishopric. Eusebius (Hist. III. ii) similarly asserts that, after the martyrdom of Paul and of Peter, Linus was the first who obtained the episcopate at Rome. He too identified this Linus with the Linus who was mentioned by Paul at the end of 2 Timothy. Eusebius says also that Linus served as bishop for twelve years (ibid. xiii). Numerous church writers have recorded the type of tradition found in Irenaeus and Eusebius, and of course some elaboration has occurred. The Apostolic Constitutions (VII: xlvi) refers to Linus as the son of Claudia. On “Early Roman Succession,” see J. B. Lightfoot, The Apostolic Fathers, Part I. S. Clement of Rome (1890), I, 201-345.