1 I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea:
2 That ye receive her in the Lord, as becometh saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you: for she hath been a succourer of many, and of myself also.
3 Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus:
4 Who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles.
5 Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Salute my well-beloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia unto Christ.
6 Greet Mary, who bestowed much labour on us.
7 Salute Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen, and my fellow-prisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me.
8 Greet Amplias my beloved in the Lord.
9 Salute Urbane, our helper in Christ, and Stachys my beloved.
10 Salute Apelles approved in Christ. Salute them which are of Aristobulus' household.
11 Salute Herodion my kinsman. Greet them that be of the household of Narcissus, which are in the Lord.
12 Salute Tryphena and Tryphosa, who labour in the Lord. Salute the beloved Persis, which laboured much in the Lord.
13 Salute Rufus chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine.
14 Salute Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermas, Patrobas, Hermes, and the brethren which are with them.
15 Salute Philologus, and Julia, Nereus, and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints which are with them.
16 Salute one another with an holy kiss. The churches of Christ salute you.
17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.
18 For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.
19 For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil.
20 And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.
21 Timotheus my workfellow, and Lucius, and Jason, and Sosipater, my kinsmen, salute you.
22 I Tertius, who wrote this epistle, salute you in the Lord.
23 Gaius mine host, and of the whole church, saluteth you. Erastus the chamberlain of the city saluteth you, and Quartus a brother.
24 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
25 Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,
26 But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:
27 To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen.
1 G1161 I commend G4921 unto you G5213 Phebe G5402 our G2257 sister, G79 which is G5607 a servant G1249 of the church G1577 which G3588 is at G1722 Cenchrea: G2747
2 That G2443 ye receive G4327 her G846 in G1722 the Lord, G2962 as becometh G516 saints, G40 and G2532 that ye assist G3936 her G846 in G1722 whatsoever G3739 G302 business G4229 she hath need G5535 of you: G5216 for G1063 she G3778 G846 hath been G1096 a succourer G4368 of many, G4183 and G2532 of myself G846 G1700 also. G2532
3 Greet G782 Priscilla G4252 and G2532 Aquila G207 my G3450 helpers G4904 in G1722 Christ G5547 Jesus: G2424
4 Who G3748 have G5294 for G5228 my G3450 life G5590 laid down G5294 their own G1438 necks: G5137 unto whom G3739 not G3756 only G3441 I G1473 give thanks, G2168 but G235 also G2532 all G3956 the churches G1577 of the Gentiles. G1484
5 Likewise G2532 greet the church G1577 that is in G2596 their G846 house. G3624 Salute G782 my G3450 wellbeloved G27 Epaenetus, G1866 who G3739 is G2076 the firstfruits G536 of Achaia G882 unto G1519 Christ. G5547
6 Greet G782 Mary, G3137 who G3748 bestowed G2872 much G4183 labour G2872 on G1519 us. G2248
7 Salute G782 Andronicus G408 and G2532 Junia, G2458 my G3450 kinsmen, G4773 and G2532 my G3450 fellowprisoners, G4869 who G3748 are G1526 of note G1978 among G1722 the apostles, G652 who G3739 also G2532 were G1096 in G1722 Christ G5547 before G4253 me. G1700
8 Greet G782 Amplias G291 my G3450 beloved G27 in G1722 the Lord. G2962
9 Salute G782 Urbane, G3773 our G2257 helper G4904 in G1722 Christ, G5547 and G2532 Stachys G4720 my G3450 beloved. G27
10 Salute G782 Apelles G559 approved G1384 in G1722 Christ. G5547 Salute G782 them G3588 which are of G1537 Aristobulus' G711 household.
11 Salute G782 Herodion G2267 my G3450 kinsman. G4773 Greet G782 them G3588 that be of G1537 the household of Narcissus, G3488 which G3588 are G5607 in G1722 the Lord. G2962
12 Salute G782 Tryphena G5170 and G2532 Tryphosa, G5173 who labour G2872 in G1722 the Lord. G2962 Salute G782 the beloved G27 Persis, G4069 which G3748 laboured G2872 much G4183 in G1722 the Lord. G2962
13 Salute G782 Rufus G4504 chosen G1588 in G1722 the Lord, G2962 and G2532 his G846 mother G3384 and G2532 mine. G1700
14 Salute G782 Asyncritus, G799 Phlegon, G5393 Hermas, G2057 Patrobas, G3969 Hermes, G2060 and G2532 the brethren G80 which are with G4862 them. G846
15 Salute G782 Philologus, G5378 and G2532 Julia, G2456 Nereus, G3517 and G2532 his G846 sister, G79 and G2532 Olympas, G3652 and G2532 all G3956 the saints G40 which are with G4862 them. G846
16 Salute G782 one another G240 with G1722 an holy G40 kiss. G5370 The churches G1577 of Christ G5547 salute G782 you. G5209
17 Now G1161 I beseech G3870 you, G5209 brethren, G80 mark G4648 them which cause G4160 divisions G1370 and G2532 offences G4625 contrary G3844 to the doctrine G1322 which G3739 ye G5210 have learned; G3129 and G2532 avoid G1578 them. G575 G846
18 For G1063 they that are such G5108 serve G1398 not G3756 our G2257 Lord G2962 Jesus G2424 Christ, G5547 but G235 their own G1438 belly; G2836 and G2532 by G1223 good words G5542 and G2532 fair speeches G2129 deceive G1818 the hearts G2588 of the simple. G172
19 For G1063 your G5216 obedience G5218 is come abroad G864 unto G1519 all G3956 men. I am glad G5463 therefore G3767 on G1909 your G5213 behalf: G1909 but yet G1161 I would have G2309 you G5209 wise G4680 unto G1519 that which is G1511 good, G3303 G18 and G1161 simple G185 concerning G1519 evil. G2556
20 And G1161 the God G2316 of peace G1515 shall bruise G4937 Satan G4567 under G5259 your G5216 feet G4228 shortly. G1722 G5034 The grace G5485 of our G2257 Lord G2962 Jesus G2424 Christ G5547 be with G3326 you. G5216 Amen. G281
21 Timotheus G5095 my G3450 workfellow, G4904 and G2532 Lucius, G3066 and G2532 Jason, G2394 and G2532 Sosipater, G4989 my G3450 kinsmen, G4773 salute G782 you. G5209
22 I G1473 Tertius, G5060 who wrote G1125 this epistle, G1992 salute G782 you G5209 in G1722 the Lord. G2962
23 Gaius G1050 mine G3450 host, G3581 and G2532 of the whole G3650 church, G1577 saluteth G782 you. G5209 Erastus G2037 the chamberlain G3623 of the city G4172 saluteth G782 you, G5209 and G2532 Quartus G2890 a brother. G80
24 The grace G5485 of our G2257 Lord G2962 Jesus G2424 Christ G5547 be with G3326 you G5216 all. G3956 Amen. G281
25 Now G1161 to him that is of power G1410 to stablish G4741 you G5209 according G2596 to my G3450 gospel, G2098 and G2532 the preaching G2782 of Jesus G2424 Christ, G5547 according G2596 to the revelation G602 of the mystery, G3466 which was kept secret G4601 since the world began, G5550 G166
26 But G1161 now G3568 is made manifest, G5319 and G5037 by G1223 the scriptures G1124 of the prophets, G4397 according G2596 to the commandment G2003 of the everlasting G166 God, G2316 made known G1107 to G1519 all G3956 nations G1484 for G1519 the obedience G5218 of faith: G4102
27 To God G2316 only G3441 wise, G4680 be glory G1391 through G1223 Jesus G2424 Christ G5547 for G1519 ever. G165 Amen. G281
1 I commend unto you Phoebe our sister, who is a servant of the church that is at Cenchreae:
2 that ye receive her in the Lord, worthily of the saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever matter she may have need of you: for she herself also hath been a helper of many, and of mine own self.
3 Salute Prisca and Aquila my fellow-workers in Christ Jesus,
4 who for my life laid down their own necks; unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles:
5 and `salute' the church that is in their house. Salute Epaenetus my beloved, who is the first-fruits of Asia unto Christ.
6 Salute Mary, who bestowed much labor on you.
7 Salute Andronicus and Junias, my kinsmen, and my fellow-prisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also have been in Christ before me.
8 Salute Ampliatus my beloved in the Lord.
9 Salute Urbanus our fellow-worker in Christ, and Stachys my beloved.
10 Salute Apelles the approved in Christ. Salute them that are of the `household' of Aristobulus.
11 Salute Herodion my kinsman. Salute them of the `household' of Narcissus, that are in the Lord.
12 Salute Tryphaena and Tryphosa, who labor in the Lord. Salute Persis the beloved, who labored much in the Lord.
13 Salute Rufus the chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine.
14 Salute Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the brethren that are with them.
15 Salute Philologus and Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints that are with them.
16 Salute one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ salute you.
17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them that are causing the divisions and occasions of stumbling, contrary to the doctrine which ye learned: and turn away from them.
18 For they that are such serve not our Lord Christ, but their own belly; and by their smooth and fair speech they beguile the hearts of the innocent.
19 For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I rejoice therefore over you: but I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple unto that which is evil.
20 And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
21 Timothy my fellow-worker saluteth you; and Lucius and Jason and Sosipater, my kinsmen.
22 I Tertius, who write the epistle, salute you in the Lord.
23 Gaius my host, and of the whole church, saluteth you. Erastus the treasurer of the city saluteth you, and Quartus the brother.
24 `The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.'
25 Now to him that is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery which hath been kept in silence through times eternal,
26 but now is manifested, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the eternal God, is made known unto all the nations unto obedience of faith:
27 to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory for ever. Amen.
1 And I commend you to Phebe our sister -- being a ministrant of the assembly that `is' in Cenchrea --
2 that ye may receive her in the Lord, as doth become saints, and may assist her in whatever matter she may have need of you -- for she also became a leader of many, and of myself.
3 Salute Priscilla and Aquilas, my fellow-workmen in Christ Jesus --
4 who for my life their own neck did lay down, to whom not only I give thanks, but also all the assemblies of the nations --
5 and the assembly at their house; salute Epaenetus, my beloved, who is first-fruit of Achaia to Christ.
6 Salute Mary, who did labour much for us;
7 salute Andronicus and Junias, my kindred, and my fellow-captives, who are of note among the apostles, who also have been in Christ before me.
8 Salute Amplias, my beloved in the Lord;
9 salute Arbanus, our fellow-workman in Christ, and Stachys, my beloved;
10 salute Apelles, the approved in Christ; salute those of the `household' of Aristobulus;
11 salute Herodion, my kinsman; salute those of the `household' of Narcissus, who are in the Lord;
12 salute Tryphaena, and Tryphosa, who are labouring in the Lord; salute Persis, the beloved, who did labour much in the Lord.
13 Salute Rufus, the choice one in the Lord, and his mother and mine,
14 salute Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermas, Patrobas, Hermes, and the brethren with them;
15 salute Philologus, and Julias, Nereus, and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints with them;
16 salute one another in a holy kiss; the assemblies of Christ do salute you.
17 And I call upon you, brethren, to mark those who the divisions and the stumbling-blocks, contrary to the teaching that ye did learn, are causing, and turn ye away from them;
18 for such our Lord Jesus Christ do not serve, but their own belly; and through the good word and fair speech they deceive the hearts of the harmless,
19 for your obedience did reach to all; I rejoice, therefore, as regards you, and I wish you to be wise, indeed, as to the good, and harmless as to the evil;
20 and the God of the peace shall bruise the Adversary under your feet quickly; the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ `be' with you. Amen!
21 Salute you do Timotheus, my fellow-workman, and Lucius, and Jason, and Sosipater, my kindred;
22 I Tertius salute you (who wrote the letter) in the Lord;
23 salute you doth Gaius, my host, and of the whole assembly; salute you doth Erastus, the steward of the city, and Quartus the brother,
24 the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ `be' with you all. Amen.
25 And to Him who is able to establish you, according to my good news, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the secret, in the times of the ages having been kept silent,
26 and now having been made manifest, also, through prophetic writings, according to a command of the age-during God, having been made known to all the nations for obedience of faith --
27 to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, to him `be' glory to the ages. Amen.
1 But I commend to you Phoebe, our sister, who is minister of the assembly which is in Cenchrea;
2 that ye may receive her in [the] Lord worthily of saints, and that ye may assist her in whatever matter she has need of you; for *she* also has been a helper of many, and of myself.
3 Salute Prisca and Aquila, my fellow-workmen in Christ Jesus,
4 (who for my life staked their own neck; to whom not *I* only am thankful, but also all the assemblies of the nations,)
5 and the assembly at their house. Salute Epaenetus, my beloved, who is [the] first-fruits of Asia for Christ.
6 Salute Maria, who laboured much for you.
7 Salute Andronicus and Junias, my kinsmen and fellow-captives, who are of note among the apostles; who were also in Christ before me.
8 Salute Amplias, my beloved in the Lord.
9 Salute Urbanus, our fellow-workman in Christ, and Stachys, my beloved.
10 Salute Apelles, approved in Christ. Salute those who belong to Aristobulus.
11 Salute Herodion, my kinsman. Salute those who belong to Narcissus, who are in [the] Lord.
12 Salute Tryphaena and Tryphosa, who labour in [the] Lord. Salute Persis, the beloved, who has laboured much in [the] Lord.
13 Salute Rufus, chosen in [the] Lord; and his mother and mine.
14 Salute Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the brethren with them.
15 Salute Philologus, and Julia, Nereus, and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints with them.
16 Salute one another with a holy kiss. All the assemblies of Christ salute you.
17 But I beseech you, brethren, to consider those who create divisions and occasions of falling, contrary to the doctrine which *ye* have learnt, and turn away from them.
18 For such serve not our Lord Christ, but their own belly, and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting.
19 For your obedience has reached to all. I rejoice therefore as it regards you; but I wish you to be wise [as] to that which is good, and simple [as] to evil.
20 But the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ [be] with you.
21 Timotheus, my fellow-workman, and Lucius, and Jason, and Sosipater, my kinsmen, salute you.
22 I Tertius, who have written this epistle, salute you in [the] Lord.
23 Gaius, my host and of the whole assembly, salutes you. Erastus, the steward of the city, salutes you, and the brother Quartus.
24 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ [be] with you all. Amen.
25 Now to him that is able to establish you, according to my glad tidings and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to [the] revelation of [the] mystery, as to which silence has been kept in [the] times of the ages,
26 but [which] has now been made manifest, and by prophetic scriptures, according to commandment of the eternal God, made known for obedience of faith to all the nations --
27 [the] only wise God, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever. Amen.
1 I commend to you Phoebe, our sister, who is a servant{literally, deacon} of the assembly that is at Cenchreae,
2 that you receive her in the Lord, in a way worthy of the saints, and that you assist her in whatever matter she may need from you, for she herself also has been a helper of many, and of my own self.
3 Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus,
4 who for my life, laid down their own necks; to whom not only I give thanks, but also all the assemblies of the Gentiles.
5 Greet the assembly that is in their house. Greet Epaenetus, my beloved, who is the first fruits of Achaia to Christ.
6 Greet Mary, who labored much for us.
7 Greet Andronicus and Junias, my relatives and my fellow prisoners, who are notable among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me.
8 Greet Amplias, my beloved in the Lord.
9 Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in Christ, and Stachys, my beloved.
10 Greet Apelles, the approved in Christ. Greet those who are of the household of Aristobulus.
11 Greet Herodion, my kinsman. Greet them of the household of Narcissus, who are in the Lord.
12 Greet Tryphaena and Tryphosa, who labor in the Lord. Greet Persis, the beloved, who labored much in the Lord.
13 Greet Rufus, the chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine.
14 Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the brothers{The word for "brothers" here and where context allows may also be correctly translated "brothers and sisters" or "siblings."} who are with them.
15 Greet Philologus and Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints who are with them.
16 Greet one another with a holy kiss. The assemblies of Christ greet you.
17 Now I beg you, brothers, look out for those who are causing the divisions and occasions of stumbling, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and turn away from them.
18 For those who are such don't serve our Lord, Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by their smooth and flattering speech, they deceive the hearts of the innocent.
19 For your obedience has become known to all. I rejoice therefore over you. But I desire to have you wise in that which is good, but innocent in that which is evil.
20 And the God of peace will quickly crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
21 Timothy, my fellow worker, greets you, as do Lucius, Jason, and Sosipater, my relatives.
22 I, Tertius, who write the letter, greet you in the Lord.
23 Gaius, my host and host of the whole assembly, greets you. Erastus, the treasurer of the city, greets you, as does Quartus, the brother.
24 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all! Amen.
25 {See Romans 14:23}
26 {See Romans 14:23}
27 {See Romans 14:23} {TR places Romans 14:24-26 at the end of Romans instead of at the end of chapter 14, and numbers these verses 16:25-27.}
1 It is my desire to say a good word for Phoebe, who is a servant of the church in Cenchreae:
2 That you will take her in kindly, after the way of the saints, as one who is the Lord's, and give her help in anything in which she may have need of you: because she has been a help to a great number and to myself.
3 Give my love to Prisca and Aquila, workers with me in Christ Jesus,
4 Who for my life put their necks in danger; to whom not only I but all the churches of the Gentiles are in debt:
5 And say a kind word to the church which is in their house. Give my love to my dear Epaenetus, who is the first fruit of Asia to Christ.
6 Give my love to Mary, who gave much care to you.
7 Give my love to Andronicus and Junia, my relations, who were in prison with me, who are noted among the Apostles, and who were in Christ before me.
8 Give my love to Ampliatus, who is dear to me in the Lord,
9 Give my love to Urbanus, a worker in Christ with us, and to my dear Stachys.
10 Give my love to Apelles, who has the approval of Christ. Say a kind word to those who are of the house of Aristobulus.
11 Give my love to Herodion, my relation. Say a kind word to those of the house of Narcissus, who are in the Lord.
12 Give my love to Tryphaena and Tryphosa, workers in the Lord. Give my love to my dear Persis, who did much work in the Lord.
13 Give my love to Rufus, one of the Lord's selection, and to his mother and mine.
14 Give my love to Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the brothers who are with them.
15 Give my love to Philologus and Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints who are with them.
16 Give one another a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ send their love to you.
17 Now, it is my desire, brothers, that you will take note of those who are causing division and trouble among you, quite against the teaching which was given to you: and keep away from them.
18 For such people are not servants of the Lord Christ, but of their stomachs; and by their smooth and well-said words the hearts of those who have no knowledge of evil are tricked.
19 For all have knowledge of how you do what you are ordered. For this reason I have joy in you, but it is my desire that you may be wise in what is good, and without knowledge of evil.
20 And the God of peace will be crushing Satan under your feet before long. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
21 Timothy, who is working with me, sends his love to you, so do Lucius and Jason and Sosipater, my relations.
22 I, Tertius, who have done the writing of this letter, send love in the Lord.
23 Gaius, with whom I am living, whose house is open to all the church, sends his love, so does Erastus, the manager of the accounts of the town, and Quartus, the brother.
24 []
25 Now to him who is able to make you strong in agreement with the good news which I gave you and the preaching of Jesus Christ, in the light of the revelation of that secret which has been kept through times eternal,
26 But is now made clear; and by the writings of the prophets, by the order of the eternal God, the knowledge of it has been given to all the nations, so that they may come under the rule of the faith;
27 To the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, be the glory for ever. So be it.
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Romans 16
Commentary on Romans 16 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
CHAPTER 16
Ro 16:1-27. Conclusion, Embracing Sundry Salutations and Directions, and a Closing Prayer.
1. I commend unto you Phœbebe our sister, which is a servant—or "deaconess"
of the church which is at Cenchrea—The word is "Cenchreæ," the eastern part of Corinth (Ac 18:18). That in the earliest churches there were deaconesses, to attend to the wants of the female members, there is no good reason to doubt. So early at least as the reign of Trajan, we learn from Pliny's celebrated letter to that emperor—A.D. 110, or 111—that they existed in the Eastern churches. Indeed, from the relation in which the sexes then stood to each other, something of this sort would seem to have been a necessity. Modern attempts, however, to revive this office have seldom found favor; either from the altered state of society, or the abuse of the office, or both.
2. Receive her in the Lord—that is, as a genuine disciple of the Lord Jesus.
as—"so as"
becometh saints—so as saints should receive saints.
assist her in whatsoever business she hath—"may have"
need of you—some private business of her own.
for she hath been a succourer of many, and of myself also—(See Ps 41:1-3; 2Ti 1:16-18).
3-5. Salute Priscilla—The true reading here is "Prisca" (as in 2Ti 4:19), a contracted form of Priscilla, as "Silas" of "Silvanus."
and Aquila my helpers—The wife is here named before the husband (as in Ac 18:18, and Ro 16:26, according to the true reading; also in 2Ti 4:19), probably as being the more prominent and helpful to the Church.
4. who have for my life laid down—"who did for my life lay down"
their own necks—that is, risked their lives; either at Corinth (Ac 18:6, 9, 10), or more probably at Ephesus (Ac 19:30, 31; and compare 1Co 15:32). They must have returned from Ephesus (where we last find them in the history of the Acts) to Rome, whence the edict of Claudius had banished them (Ac 18:2); and doubtless, if not the principal members of that Christian community, they were at least the most endeared to our apostle.
unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles—whose special apostle this dear couple had rescued from imminent danger.
5. Likewise the church that is in their house—The Christian assembly that statedly met there for worship. "From his occupation as tent-maker, he had probably better accommodations for the meetings of the church than most other Christians" [Hodge]. Probably this devoted couple had written to the apostle such an account of the stated meetings at their house, as made him feel at home with them, and include them in this salutation, which doubtless would be read at their meetings with peculiar interest.
Salute my well beloved Epænetus, who is the first-fruits—that is, the first convert
of Achaia unto Christ—The true reading here, as appears by the manuscripts, is, "the first-fruits of Asia unto Christ"—that is, Proconsular Asia (see Ac 16:6). In 1Co 16:15 it is said that "the household of Stephanas was the first-fruit of Achaia"; and though if Epænetus was one of that family, the two statements might be reconciled according to the received text, there is no need to resort to this supposition, as that text is in this instance without authority. Epænetus, as the first believer in that region called Proconsular Asia, was dear to the apostle. (See Ho 9:10; Mic 7:1). None of the names mentioned from Ro 16:5-15 are otherwise known. One wonders at the number of them, considering that the writer had never been at Rome. But as Rome was then the center of the civilized world, to and from which journeys were continually taken to the remotest parts, there is no great difficulty in supposing that so active a travelling missionary as Paul would, in course of time, make the acquaintance of a considerable number of the Christians then residing at Rome.
6. Greet—or "salute"
Mary, who bestowed much labour on us—labor, no doubt, of a womanly kind.
7. Andronicus and Junia—or, as it might be, "Junias," a contracted form of "Junianus"; in this case, it is a man's name. But if, as is more probable, the word be, as in our version, "Junia," the person meant was no doubt either the wife or the sister of Andronicus.
my kinsmen—or, "relatives."
and my fellow prisoners—on what occasion, it is impossible to say, as the apostle elsewhere tells us that he was "in prisons more frequent" (2Co 11:23).
which are of note among the apostles—Those who think the word "apostle" is used in a lax sense, in the Acts and Epistles, take this to mean "noted apostles" [Chrysostom, Luther, Calvin, Bengel, Olshausen, Tholuck, Alford, Jowett]; others, who are not clear that the word "apostle" is applied to any without the circle of the Twelve, save where the connection or some qualifying words show that the literal meaning of "one sent" is the thing intended, understand by the expression used here, "persons esteemed by the apostles" [Beza, Grotius, De Wette, Meyer, Fritzsche, Stuart, Philippi, Hodge]. And of course, if "Junia" is to be taken for a woman, this latter must be the meaning.
who also were in Christ before me—The apostle writes as if he envied them this priority in the faith. And, indeed, if to be "in Christ" be the most enviable human condition, the earlier the date of this blessed translation, the greater the grace of it. This latter statement about Andronicus and Junia seems to throw some light on the preceding one. Very possibly they may have been among the first-fruits of Peter's labors, gained to Christ either on the day of Pentecost or on some of the succeeding days. In that case they may have attracted the special esteem of those apostles who for some time resided chiefly at Jerusalem and its neighborhood; and our apostle, though he came late in contact with the other apostles, if he was aware of this fact, would have pleasure in alluding to it.
8. Amplias—a contracted form of "Ampliatus."
my beloved in the Lord—an expression of dear Christian affection.
9, 10. Urbane—rather, "Urbanus." It is a man's name.
our helper—"fellow labourer"
in Christ.
10. Salute Apelles approved—"the approved"
in Christ—or, as we should say, "that tried Christian"; a noble commendation.
Salute them which are of Aristobulus' household—It would seem, from what is said of Narcissus in Ro 16:11, that this Aristobulus himself had not been a Christian; but that the Christians of his household simply were meant; very possibly some of his slaves.
11. Salute Herodion, my kinsman—(See on Ro 16:7).
Greet them that be of the household of Narcissus, which are in the Lord—which implies that others in his house, including probably himself, were not Christians.
12. Salute Tryphena and Tryphosa, who labour in the Lord—two active women.
Salute the beloved Persis—another woman.
which laboured much in the Lord—referring probably, not to official services, such as would fall to the deaconesses, but to such higher Christian labors—yet within the sphere competent to woman—as Priscilla bestowed on Apollos and others (Ac 18:18).
13. Salute Rufus, chosen—"the chosen"
in the Lord—meaning, not "who is one of the elect," as every believer is, but "the choice" or "precious one" in the Lord. (See 1Pe 2:4; 2Jo 13). We read in Mr 15:21 that Simon of Cyrene, who was compelled to bear our Lord's cross, was "the father of Alexander and Rufus." From this we naturally conclude that when Mark wrote his Gospel, Alexander and Rufus must have been well known as Christians among those by whom he expected his Gospel to be first read; and, in all likelihood, this was that very "Rufus"; in which case our interest is deepened by what immediately follows about his mother.
and—salute.
his mother and mine—The apostle calls her "his own mother," not so much as our Lord calls every elderly woman believer His mother (Mt 12:49, 50), but in grateful acknowledgment of her motherly attentions to himself, bestowed no doubt for his Master's sake, and the love she bore to his honored servants. To us it seems altogether likely that the conversion of Simon the Cyrenian dated from that memorable day when "passing [casually] by, as he came from the country" (Mr 15:21), "they compelled him to bear the" Saviour's cross. Sweet compulsion, if what he thus beheld issued in his voluntarily taking up his own cross! Through him it is natural to suppose that his wife would be brought in, and that this believing couple, now "heirs together of the grace of life" (1Pe 3:7), as they told their two sons, Alexander and Rufus, what honor had unwittingly been put upon their father at that hour of deepest and dearest moment to all Christians, might be blessed to the inbringing of both of them to Christ. In this case, supposing the elder of the two to have departed to be with Christ ere this letter was written, or to have been residing in some other place, and Rufus left alone with his mother, how instructive and beautiful is the testimony here borne to her!
14, 15. Salute Asyncritus, &c.—These have been thought to be the names of ten less notable Christians than those already named. But this will hardly be supposed if it be observed that they are divided into two pairs of five each, and that after the first of these pairs it is added, "and the brethren which are with them," while after the second pair we have the words, "and all the saints which are with them." This perhaps hardly means that each of the five in both pairs had "a church at his house," else probably this would have been more expressly said. But at least it would seem to indicate that they were each a center of some few Christians who met at his house—it may be for further instruction, for prayer, for missionary purposes, or for some other Christian objects. These little peeps into the rudimental forms which Christian fellowship first took in the great cities, though too indistinct for more than conjecture, are singularly interesting. Our apostle would seem to have been kept minutely informed as to the state of the church at Rome, both as to its membership and its varied activities, probably by Priscilla and Aquila.
16. Salute one another with an holy kiss—So 1Co 16:20; 1Th 5:26; 1Pe 5:14. The custom prevailed among the Jews, and doubtless came from the East, where it still obtains. Its adoption into the Christian churches, as the symbol of a higher fellowship than it had ever expressed before, was probably as immediate as it was natural. In this case the apostle's desire seems to be that on receipt of his epistle, with its salutations, they should in this manner expressly testify their Christian affection. It afterwards came to have a fixed place in the church service, immediately after the celebration of the Supper, and continued long in use. In such matters, however, the state of society and the peculiarities of different places require to be studied.
The churches of Christ salute you—The true reading is, "All the churches"; the word "all" gradually falling out, as seeming probably to express more than the apostle would venture to affirm. But no more seems meant than to assure the Romans in what affectionate esteem they were held by the churches generally; all that knew he was writing to Rome having expressly asked their own salutations to be sent to them. (See Ro 16:19).
17. Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned—"which ye learned."
and avoid them—The fomentors of "divisions" here referred to are probably those who were unfriendly to the truths taught in this epistle, while those who caused "offenses" were probably those referred to in Ro 14:15 as haughtily disregarding the prejudices of the weak. The direction as to both is, first, to "mark" such, lest the evil should be done ere it was fully discovered; and next, to "avoid" them (compare 2Th 3:6, 14), so as neither to bear any responsibility for their procedure, nor seem to give them the least countenance.
18. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ—"our Lord Christ" appears to be the true reading.
but their own belly—not in the grosset sense, but as "living for low ends of their own" (compare Php 3:19).
and by good words and fair speeches deceive the simple—the unwary, the unsuspecting. (See Pr 14:15).
19. For your obedience—that is, tractableness
is come abroad unto all. I am glad therefore on your behalf—"I rejoice therefore over you," seems the true reading.
but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple—"harmless," as in Mt 10:16, from which the warning is taken.
concerning—"unto"
evil—"Your reputation among the churches for subjection to the teaching ye have received is to me sufficient ground of confidence in you; but ye need the serpent's wisdom to discriminate between transparent truth and plausible error, with that guileless simplicity which instinctively cleaves to the one and rejects the other."
20. And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly—The apostle encourages the Romans to persevere in resisting the wiles of the devil with the assurance that, as good soldiers of Jesus Christ, they are "shortly" to receive their discharge, and have the satisfaction of "putting their feet upon the neck" of that formidable enemy—symbol familiar, probably, in all languages to express not only the completeness of the defeat, but the abject humiliation of the conquered foe. (See Jos 10:24; 2Sa 22:41; Eze 21:29; Ps 91:13). Though the apostle here styles Him who is thus to bruise Satan, the God of peace," with special reference to the "divisions" (Ro 16:17) by which the church at Rome was in danger of being disturbed, this sublime appellation of God has here a wider sense, pointing to the whole "purpose for which the Son of God was manifested, to destroy the works of the devil" (1Jo 3:8); and indeed this assurance is but a reproduction of the first great promise, that the Seed of the woman should bruise the Serpent's head (Ge 3:15).
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen—The "Amen" here has no manuscript authority. What comes after this, where one would have expected the epistle to close, has its parallel in Php 4:20, &c., and being in fact common in epistolary writings, is simply a mark of genuineness.
21. Timotheus, my work-fellow—"my fellow labourer"; see Ac 16:1-5. The apostle mentions him here rather than in the opening address to this church, as he had not been at Rome [Bengel].
and Lucius—not Luke, for the fuller form of "Lucas" is not "Lucius" but "Lucanus." The person meant seems to be "Lucius of Cyrene," who was among the "prophets and teachers" at Antioch with our apostle, before he was summoned into the missionary field (Ac 13:1).
and Jason—See Ac 17:5. He had probably accompanied or followed the apostle from Thessalonica to Corinth.
Sosipater—See Ac 20:4.
22. I, Tertius, who wrote this—"the"
epistle—as the apostle's amanuensis, or penman.
salute you in the Lord—So usually did the apostle dictate his epistles, that he calls the attention of the Galatians to the fact that to them he wrote with his own hand (Ga 6:11). But this Tertius would have the Romans to know that, far from being a mere scribe, his heart went out to them in Christian affection; and the apostle, by giving his salutation a place here, would show what sort of assistants he employed.
23. Gaius mine host, and—the host
of the whole church—(See Ac 20:4). It would appear that he was one of only two persons whom Paul baptized with his own hand (compare 3Jo 1). His Christian hospitality appears to have been something uncommon.
Erastus the chamberlain—"treasurer."
of the city—doubtless of Corinth. (See Ac 19:22; 2Ti 4:20).
and Quartus a brother—rather, "the" or "our brother"; as Sosthenes and Timothy are called (1Co 1:1; 2Co 1:1, Greek). Nothing more is known of this Quartus.
24. The grace, &c.—a repetition of the benediction precisely as in Ro 16:20, save that it is here invoked on them "all."
25. Now to him that is of power—more simply, as in Jude 24, "to Him that is able."
to stablish—confirm, or uphold
you, according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ—that is, in conformity with the truths of that Gospel which I preach, and not I only, but all to whom has been committed "the preaching of Jesus Christ."
according to the revelation of the mystery—(See on Ro 11:25).
which was kept secret since the world began—literally, "which hath been kept in silence during eternal ages."
26. But is now made manifest—The reference here is to that peculiar feature of the Gospel economy which Paul himself was specially employed to carry into practical effect and to unfold by his teaching—the introduction of the Gentile believers to an equality with their Jewish brethren, and the new, and, to the Jews, quite unexpected form which this gave to the whole Kingdom of God (compare Eph 3:1-10, &c.). This the apostle calls here a mystery hitherto undisclosed, in what sense Ro 16:27 will show, but now fully unfolded; and his prayer for the Roman Christians, in the form of a doxology to Him who was able to do what he asked, is that they might be established in the truth of the Gospel, not only in its essential character, but specially in that feature of it which gave themselves, as Gentile believers, their whole standing among the people of God.
and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for—in order to
the obedience of faith—Lest they should think, from what he had just said, that God had brought in upon his people so vast a change on their condition without giving them any previous notice, the apostle here adds that, on the contrary, "the Scriptures of the prophets" contain all that he and other preachers of the Gospel had to declare on these topics, and indeed that the same "everlasting God," who "from eternal ages" had kept these things hid, had given "commandment" that they should now, according to the tenor of those prophetic Scriptures, be imparted to every nation for their believing acceptance.
27. To God, &c.—"To the only wise God through Jesus Christ, be"—literally, "to whom be"; that is, "to Him, I say, be the glory for ever. Amen." At its outset, this is an ascription of glory to the power that could do all this; at its close it ascribes glory to the wisdom that planned and that presides over the gathering of a redeemed people out of all nations. The apostle adds his devout "Amen," which the reader—if he has followed him with the astonishment and delight of him who pens these words—will fervently echo.
On this concluding section of the Epistle, Note, (1) In the minute and delicate manifestations of Christian feeling, and lively interest in the smallest movements of Christian life, love, and zeal, which are here exemplified, combined with the grasp of thought and elevation of soul which this whole Epistle displays, as indeed all the writings of our apostle, we have the secret of much of that grandeur of character which has made the name of Paul stand on an elevation of its own in the estimation of enlightened Christendom in every age, and of that influence which under God, beyond all the other apostles, he has already exercised, and is yet destined to exert, over the religious thinking and feeling of men. Nor can any approach him in these peculiarities without exercising corresponding influence on all with whom they come in contact (Ro 16:1-16). (2) "The wisdom of the serpent and the harmlessness of the dove"—in enjoining which our apostle here only echoes the teaching of his Lord (Mt 10:16)—is a combination of properties the rarity of which among Christians is only equalled by its vast importance. In every age of the Church there have been real Christians whose excessive study of the serpent's wisdom has so sadly trenched upon their guileless simplicity, as at times to excite the distressing apprehension that they were no better than wolves in sheep's clothing. Nor is it to be denied, on the other hand, that, either from inaptitude or indisposition to judge with manly discrimination of character and of measures, many eminently simple, spiritual, devoted Christians, have throughout life exercised little or no influence on any section of society around them. Let the apostle's counsel on this head (Ro 16:19) be taken as a study, especially by young Christians, whose character has yet to be formed, and whose permanent sphere in life is but partially fixed; and let them prayerfully set themselves to the combined exercise of both those qualities. So will their Christian character acquire solidity and elevation, and their influence for good be proportionably extended. (3) Christians should cheer their own and each other's hearts, amidst the toils and trials of their protracted warfare, with the assurance that it will have a speedy and glorious end; they should accustom themselves to regard all opposition to the progress and prosperity of Christ's cause—whether in their own souls, in the churches with which they are connected, or in the world at large—as just "Satan" in conflict, as ever, with Christ their Lord; and they should never allow themselves to doubt that "the God of peace" will "shortly" give them the neck of their Enemy, and make them to bruise the Serpent's head (Ro 16:20). (4) As Christians are held up and carried through solely by divine power, working through the glorious Gospel, so to that power, and to the wisdom that brought that Gospel nigh to them, they should ascribe all the glory of their stability now, as they certainly will of their victory at last (Ro 16:25-27). (5) "Has the everlasting God … commanded" that the Gospel "mystery," so long kept hid but now fully disclosed, shall be "made known to all nations for the obedience of faith" (Ro 16:26)? Then, what "necessity is laid upon" all the churches and every Christian, to send the Gospel "to every creature!" And we may rest well assured that the prosperity or decline of churches, and of individual Christians, will have not a little to do with their faithfulness or indifference to this imperative duty.
The ancient subscription at the end of this epistle—though of course of no authority—appears to be in this case quite correct.