ACAICO ('Αγαχός; lat. Achaicus). - A Christian of Corinth, one of the first converts of s. Paolo in Achaia.
The Roman name, perpetuated in the family of L. Mummio, conqueror of Corinth (146 B.C.), suggests that A. was a freedman or client of the Mummii. Together with Stefanas and Fortunato he came to Ephesus to visit s. Paolo, “refreshing his spirit” (I Cor. 16, 17). It does not appear, however, that the three brought him the news (it was “those of Chloe,” I Cor. 1, 11), nor even—though this might nevertheless be maintained—the letter in which the community of Corinth submitted cases for resolution (ibid. 7, 1), news and letter which induced the Apostle to write the First Letter to the Corinthians.
Like Stefanas, A. had worked very fruitfully for the community of Corinth (ibid. vv. 15-18: “they have supplied what was lacking on your part”); B. Allo supposes them to have been charismatics. He was the third “first-fruit” of Corinth, and was therefore established in the “ministry (διακονία) of the saints,” that is, in a hierarchical dignity “conferred by the apostles,” as Clemente Romano explains (Ia ad Cor. 42).