Romans 16:1-16

PAUL GREETS HIS FRIENDS

Romans 16:1-16

Life Application New Testament Commentary: 

Rome was the capital of the empire. As Jerusalem was the center of Jewish life, Rome was the world’s political, religious, social, and economic center. As Paul preached in the eastern part of the empire, he went first to the key cities—Jerusalem, Antioch in Syria, Philippi, Corinth, Athens, Ephesus. Along the way he met many believers who eventually ended up in Rome. The fact that Paul knew the whereabouts of so many of his friends and coworkers gives us a glimpse into the interest this great missionary had in the people to whom he ministered and who ministered to him. This final chapter reveals a treasury of friends Paul expected to see in Rome.

Rom 16:1  I commend to you our sister Phoebe, who is a deacon in the church in Cenchrea. Rom 16:2  Welcome her in the Lord as one who is worthy of honor among God's people. Help her in whatever she needs, for she has been helpful to many, and especially to me.

Phoebe was a friend and supporter of Paul’s. He asked that she be treated well as all Christians should treat other Christians. It is also important to know that she was a deacon to the church. That shows that even in the early church women played a large role.

Rom 16:3  Give my greetings to Priscilla and Aquila, my co-workers in the ministry of Christ Jesus. Rom 16:4  In fact, they once risked their lives for me. I am thankful to them, and so are all the Gentile churches.

Priscilla and Aquila were a couple that Paul had met previously and they had helped him is some way that was not described in the bible.  They also had been expelled from Roman.  Act_18:2-3 Claudius died and they had returned to Rome.

Rom 16:5  Also give my greetings to the church that meets in their home. Greet my dear friend Epenetus. He was the first person from the province of Asia to become a follower of Christ. Rom 16:6  Give my greetings to Mary, who has worked so hard for your benefit.

Again these were people that Paul knew but we have no record of them.

Rom 16:7  Greet Andronicus and Junia, my fellow Jews, who were in prison with me. They are highly respected among the apostles and became followers of Christ before I did.

Life Application New Testament Commentary:

16:7 Andronicus and Junia may have been a husband and wife team. Junia (or “Julia,” which is the reading in certain ancient manuscripts) was a widely used female name at the time. Paul’s references to them as relatives could mean that they were also Jews, possibly from the same tribe. When they were in prison with him is not known, because Paul had been imprisoned numerous times (see 2Co_11:23). Andronicus and Junia distinguished themselves among the apostles. They belonged to that larger group of apostles who had seen the risen Christ (a credential of an apostle—see Act_1:22; 1Co_15:5-8). If Andronicus and Junia were believers before Paul was, they would have been Christians for about 25 years.

Rom 16:8  Greet Ampliatus, my dear friend in the Lord. Rom 16:9  Greet Urbanus, our co-worker in Christ, and my dear friend Stachys. Rom 16:10  Greet Apelles, a good man whom Christ approves. And give my greetings to the believers from the household of Aristobulus. Rom 16:11  Greet Herodion, my fellow Jew. Greet the Lord's people from the household of Narcissus. Rom 16:12  Give my greetings to Tryphena and Tryphosa, the Lord's workers, and to dear Persis, who has worked so hard for the Lord. Rom 16:13  Greet Rufus, whom the Lord picked out to be His very own; and also his dear mother, who has been a mother to me. Rom 16:14  Give my greetings to Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the brothers and sisters who meet with them. Rom 16:15  Give my greetings to Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister, and to Olympas and all the believers who meet with them. Rom 16:16  Greet each other in Christian love. All the churches of Christ send you their greetings.