MBTI Type: ISFJ

Gaius shows he’s a perceiving dominant in his tendency to internalize things without passing judgment on them immediately—he collects information about Jesus and the disciples, he notices the change in Simon and the others from how they used to be, and he finds that interesting enough to feel drawn to Jesus. Introverted Sensing is all about recognizing patterns and using previous comparisons, so the transformation in Mathew in particular is of great interest to him. Gaius is detailed and principled, focused on doing a good job, and obedient to the beliefs of Rome… at first. But like many SJs, he’s also extremely curious to know more about other people groups. He is interested in Jewish traditions and asks Simon what certain things mean (why cannot they drink out of the same container as a Gentile? What makes them unclean?). He also self-references and gives advice based on what has worked for him in the past – he senses Simon is having marriage trouble and tells him the best thing for it is to apologize and pretend his wife is right. We later learn this refers to his own adultery and illegitimate child with a household servant (Gaius says now that the boy is sick, “we can no longer pretend anymore” that he’s not mine). When Simon visits their home, we learn his wife knows about the “Jewish doctor” (Jesus) because Gaius has been talking about him, having witnessed several miracles. Presumably, in the next season, he will ask Jesus to heal his son based on knowing Jesus has healed others in the past. Gaius is very warm and affirming, despite being a Roman. He gets emotionally involved with Matthew and then Simon, having spent time with him repairing the cistern. Even though they are from two different groups that despise each other, Gaius finds something to connect them (both married men, both parental, both concerned for their loved ones), in the way FJs do by focusing on what they have in common as a unifier. He struggles to be unkind to others, as we see in his refusal to take in the shepherd who purchased his children’s debts and defaulted on them (“someone will come for you, old man”), and in his assistance within the tent city rather than running them all out, as Quintus demanded. He also asked after Matthew’s health and safety when he brought Jesus to speak to Quintus. His slow gathering of information and mulling it over shows he’s processing it inwardly. Gaius shows very little intuition outside his general interest in other people, their religious beliefs, and in being open-minded enough to look for answers outside his traditional thinking.

Enneagram: 6w5 sp/so

Gaius is always cautious and concerned for others’ safety—he looks after Matthew and won’t let him walk home alone because he’s concerned for him being beat up or attacked for his status as a tax collector. After Matthew leaves them to join the “rabbi,” Gaius frets about his personal safety and checks up on him in a discussion with the disciples (he also makes sure they know Matthew has certain habits and needs stability). When Simon winds up wandering around the Roman district, Gaius looks after him, keeps him out of trouble, and even borrows a cloak so that he can get Simon away from there without anyone harassing him about being a Jew. He is obedient to Quintas, but also compassionate toward the people camped out in the tents outside the city; rather than evict or arrest them as his boss ordered, he helps them! He is interested in Jesus, because of the emotional and mental transformation he sees in Matthew and others who surround him, but also curious to know more about Simon and his Jewish heritage. He seems fairly traditional at first, in terms of being obedient to the rules, but is softer than he seems—most 6s are concerned for the general welfare of others, and Gaius is no exception. His motivation seems to be to stay safe and avoid people getting hurt, including himself.

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