Rom 16:3-16 | RWP | e4.org | In verses Paul sends his greetings to various brethren and sisters in Rome. Prisca and Aquila ( Πρισκαν κα Ακυλαν ). This order always ( , ; , and here) save in ; , showing that Prisca was the more prominent. Priscilla is a diminutive of Prisca, a name for women in the Acilian gens. She may have been a noble Roman lady, but her husband was a Jew of Pontus and a tent-maker by trade. They were driven from Rome by Claudius, came to Corinth, then to Ephesus, then back to Rome, and again to Ephesus. They were good travelling Christians. My fellow-workers ( τους συνεργους μου ). Both in tent-making and in Christian service in Corinth and Ephesus.

‏ Romans 16:3-16

In verses 3-16 Paul sends his greetings to various brethren and sisters in Rome.

Prisca and Aquila ( Πρισκαν κα Ακυλαν ). This order always (Ac 18:18, 26; 2Ti 4:19, and here) save in Ac 18:2; 1Co 16:19, showing that Prisca was the more prominent. Priscilla is a diminutive of Prisca, a name for women in the Acilian gens. She may have been a noble Roman lady, but her husband was a Jew of Pontus and a tent-maker by trade. They were driven from Rome by Claudius, came to Corinth, then to Ephesus, then back to Rome, and again to Ephesus. They were good travelling Christians.

My fellow-workers ( τους συνεργους μου ). Both in tent-making and in Christian service in Corinth and Ephesus.

Laid down their own necks ( τον εαυτων τραχελον υπεθηκαν ). First aorist active of υποτιθημ, old verb to place under (the axe of the executioner), only here in N.T. in this sense, though in 1Ti 4:16 to suggest. If literal or figurative, the incident may be connected with the uproar created by Demetrius in Ephesus. Certainly Paul felt deep obligation toward them (see Ac 20:34).

Not only I ( ουκ εγω μονος ). Rather, "not I alone" (adjective μονος ). The Gentile churches also (great mission workers).

The church that is in their house ( την κατ' οικον αυτων εκκλησιαν ). The early Christians had no church buildings. See also Ac 12:2; 1Co 16:19; Phm 1:2; Col 4:15. The Roman Christians had probably several such homes where they would meet.

Epainetus ( Επαινετον ). Nothing is known of him except this item, "the first-fruits of Asia" ( απαρχη της Ασιας ). An early convert from the province of Asia. Cf. Ac 2:9; 1Co 16:15 (about Stephanus and Achaia).

Mary ( Μαριαν ). Some MSS. have Μαριαμ, the Hebrew form. The name indicates a Jewish Christian in Rome. Paul praises her toil. See Lu 5:5.

Andronicus and Junias ( Ανδρονιχου κα Ιουνιαν ). The first is a Greek name found even in the imperial household. The second name can be either masculine or feminine.

Kinsmen ( συγγενεις ). Probably only fellow-countrymen as in 9:13.

Fellow-prisoners ( συναιχμαλωτυς ). Late word and rare (in Lucian). One of Paul's frequent compounds with συν. Literally, fellow captives in war. Perhaps they had shared one of Paul's numerous imprisonments (2Co 11:23). In N.T. only here, Phm 1:23; Col 4:10.

Of note ( επισημο ). Stamped, marked ( επ σημα ). Old word, only here and Mt 27:16 (bad sense) in N.T.

Among the apostles ( εν τοις αποστολοις ). Naturally this means that they are counted among the apostles in the general sense true of Barnabas, James, the brother of Christ, Silas, and others. But it can mean simply that they were famous in the circle of the apostles in the technical sense.

Who have been in Christ before me ( ο κα προ εμου γεγοναν εν Χριστω ). Andronicus and Junias were converted before Paul was. Note γεγοναν (Koine form by analogy) instead of the usual second perfect active indicative form γεγονασιν, which some MSS. have. The perfect tense notes that they are still in Christ.

Ampliatus ( Αμπλιατον ). Some MSS. have a contracted form Amplias.

Urbanus ( Ουρβανον ). "A common Roman slave name found among members of the household" (Sanday and Headlam). A Latin adjective from urbs, city (city-bred).

Stachys ( Σταχυν ). A Greek name, rare, but among members of the imperial household. It means a head or ear of grain (Mt 12:1).

Apelles ( Απελλην ). A name among Jews and a famous tragic actor also.

The approved ( τον δοκιμον ). The tried and true (1Co 11:19; 2Co 10:18; 13:7).

Them which are of the household of Aristobulus ( τους εκ των Αριστοβουλου ). The younger Aristobulus was a grandson of Herod the Great. Lightfoot suggests that some of the servants in this household had become Christians, Aristobulus being dead.

Herodion ( Hερωιδιωνα ). Probably one belonging to the Herod family like that above.

Kinsman ( συγγενη ). Merely fellow-countryman.

Them of the household of Narcissus ( τους εκ των Ναρκισσου ). "Narcissiani." There was a famous freedman of this name who was put to death by Agrippa. Perhaps members of his household.

Tryphaena and Tryphosa ( Τρυφαιναν κα Τρυφωσαν ). Probably sisters and possibly twins. Both names come from the same root, the verb τρυφαω, to live luxuriously (Jas 5:5). Denney suggests "Dainty and Disdain."

Persis ( Περσιδα ). A freedwoman was so named. She is not Paul's "beloved," but the "beloved" of the whole church.

Rufus ( Ρουφον ). A very common slave name, possibly the Rufus of Mr 15:21. The word means "red."

The chosen ( τον εκλεκτον ). Not "the elect," but "the select."

And mine ( κα εμου ). Paul's appreciation of her maternal care once, not his real mother.

Asyncritus ( Ασυνκριτον ). There is an inscription of a freedman of Augustus with this name.

Phlegon ( Φλεγοντα ). No light on this name till the historian of the second century A.D.

Hermes ( Hερμην ). A very common slave name.

Patrobas ( Πατροβαν ). Name of a freedman of Nero, abbreviated form of Patrobius.

Hermas ( Hερμαν ). Not the author of the Shepherd of Hermas. Common as a slave name, shortened form of Hermagoras, Hermogenes, etc.

The brethren that are with them ( τους συν αυτοις αδελφους ). Perhaps a little church in the house of some one.

Philologus ( Φιλολογον ). Another common slave name.

Julia ( Ιουλιαν ). The commonest name for female slaves in the imperial household because of Julius Caesar. Possibly these two were husband and wife.

Nereus ( Νηρεα ). Found in inscriptions of the imperial household. But the sister's name is not given. One wonders why.

Olympas ( Ολυμπαν ). Possibly an abbreviation for Olympiodorus.

All the saints that are with them ( τους συν αυτοις παντας αγιους ). Possibly another church in the house. These unnamed, the "and others," constitute the great majority in all our churches.

With a holy kiss ( εν φιληματ αγιω ). The near-east mode of salutation as hand-shaking in the Western. In China one shakes hands with himself. Men kissed men and women kissed women. See 1Th 5 26; 1Co 16:20; 2Co 13:12.