many books of the New Testament
These secretaries, copyists, and professional readers matter because they helped create the meaning of the texts of the New Testament. The vision and intent of the author is, of course, critically important to the composition of the text, but the meaning of what was written down is supplied by the secretary who takes dictation. The first interpretations of that text were then provided by the enslaved workers who copied the text and read it aloud.
Tertius is traditionally associated with the deacon and community leader Phoebe, a wealthy member of the group of Christ-followers in Corinth. Epaphroditus, who helped raise funds for and supported Paul during his imprisonment in Ephesus, was obligated to at least one member of the congregation in Philippi. Onesimus was enslaved to a Jesus follower named Philemon.