Comments on Romans 16:1-16

As we read through the Bible, we find many verses worthy of comments. This is the way it is with one section that you and I have read over and over—Romans 16:1-16. (See also vv. 18, 21, 21, 22.) Let’s read over these verses and see what God, through the Holy Spirit, and ultimately through Paul the apostle, says to us. We will find that Christ refers to various people who are to be commended. We may not know every one of these saints but we do appreciate them, through Paul.

Notice first Romans 16:1: “I commend to you our sister Phoebe, who is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea.” Who is Phoebe? We don’t really know but Paul knew her and commended her. She was a “servant” of the saints in the coastal town of Cenchrea to the east of Corinth in Achaia. The term “servant” literally means servant (1 Timothy 3:8). It can mean merely a household servant, although some might think that this means a specially-chosen servant or deacon. Probably not. It is better to take this as a reference to one who serves in some capacity.

Paul continues: “that you receive her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints, and that you help her in whatever matter she may have need of you; for she herself has also been a helper of many and of myself as well” (Romans 16:2). Is this the way that you speak and write? Other believers are to be so close that we freely refer to them with endearing terms such as this. We may not know Phoebe personally but perhaps one day we will be able to meet her.

We then see verse 3 in Paul’s statement. “Greet Prisca and Aquilla, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, who for my life risked their own necks, to whom not only do I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles; also greet the church that is in their house” (vv. 4-5a). You may remember that “Prisca” was also called Priscilla (by Luke), see 1 Corinthians `16:19 and 2 Timothy 4:19. We know very little about this beloved couple of believers, but they must have been close to Paul, according to the way the apostle writes. They were workers along with Paul in the kingdom. According to this passage, they were sacrificial and risked their lives for Paul. Notice also that they were hospitable for the text refers to the assembly that met in their house. Are we like this? (See also 1 Corinthians 16:19; Colossians 4:15; Philemon 2).

Next, notice that Paul calls Epaenetus his “beloved.” You may think that this is too close or intimate but the apostle didn’t think so. He was beloved to Paul and the apostle didn’t mind referring to him as such. Do we also refer to other saints in this way?

Notice also that Paul greets “Mary” who had “worked hard” for them. We don’t know who this Mary was (there were several of them, including the physical mother of Jesus, Mary the sister of Martha, the mother of John Mark, Mary Magdalene, etc.). But apparently this was a common name and this was another of them. This Mary was a hard worker and we should be too!

As we continue to read, we come to Andronicus and Junias whom Paul calls his “kinsmen” and his “fellow prisoners” (v. 7). We don’t know who these believers were but apparently they were close to the apostle. Could they have been in prison with Paul since he calls them his “fellow prisoners”? We know that there were only 12 apostles, besides Paul, so the fact that Paul says that they were “outstanding among the apostles” (v. 7) might indicate that they were well-known to the apostles. Notice also that Paul doesn’t mind saying that they were in Christ before him. Let’s be outgoing and kind to others and give them credit as much as we can.

We also read of Ampliatus whom Paul says was his “beloved in the Lord” (. 8). Again, we don’t know precisely who this was, but he must have been close to the apostle for he was called Paul’s “beloved.” Do we refer to others in this way?

Then in verse 9, the apostle says to “greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in Christ, and Stachys my beloved.” It seems that Paul didn’t hesitate to refer to other saints in this way. Urbanus was Paul’s “fellow worker in Christ” and he refers to Stachys as his “beloved.” Even though other believers may not be physically close to you, do you easily refer to them as your “beloved”? Paul then refers to “Apelles” and that he was “approved” in Christ. Do you wish to be “approved” in Christ? Do you hesitate to refer to another saint as “approved” in Jesus? If there is anyone that is to be approved, let it be you!

As we continue in verse 10, Paul says that the Romans should “greet” those who are of the “household of Aristobulus.” Some actually doubt that he was a believer but we think that probably he was. Further, he may have hosted the saints there. The apostle goes on to refer to Herodion” whom he calls his “kinsman.” Further, greetings were appropriate for “the household of Narcissus, who are in the Lord.” Could it be that these ones were also hosts for the believers there? They apparently were “in the Lord” or fellow-Christians, along with Paul.

Next, Paul says to greet “Tryphaena and Tryphosa.” They were “workers in the Lord.” Not only Paul worked in the Lord wherever he was but he was glad to acknowledge others for their work for Christ also.  Definitely we are to be “believers” in Christ and also “lovers” of God, but we are also to be “workers” in the Lord as we carry on the tasks that God gives to us.

Then there was also “Persis the beloved.” He had “worked hard in the Lord.” The apostle didn’t mind referring to the work that people did but describes what the person did in Christ. Be willing to do this yourself, for the upbuilding and blessing of others.

Then in Verse 13, Paul writes, “Greet Rufus, a choice man in the Lord, also his mother and mine.” Much can be learned from this one verse but we must take care that we don’t read too much into it. It may be that this brother was one of the sons of Simon of Cyrene who carried Christ’s cross before His death (Mark 15:21). It may be that he came to Christ by this means and was known to the Roman saints because of this work. Rufus was “choice” and this is something to which we must seek to attain. Further, Rufus’ mother would have been the wife of Simon of Cyrene. All of this would have been supposition, we admit.

The various ones mentioned in verse 14 may have been part of the same congregation in Rome. This is supposition, of course, but a good one since Paul mentions “the brethren with them.” The apostle then writes of “Philologus and Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints who are with them” (v. 15). We know  nothing more but it may have been that they were in the same fellowship in Rome and Paul greets them there.

When the apostle comes to the end of his precise references, he says, “Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ greet you” (v. 16). Maybe you have or haven’t greeted others with a “holy” kiss (not a profane kiss but a “holy” one). Then Paul refers to “all the churches of Christ greet you.” These assemblies or groups of believers sent their greetings and we should do likewise. Of course, “churches of Christ” was never meant to be denominational but was entirely non-sectarian in nature.

What can we learn from this passage—these 16 verses (read also the following verses)? Let’s seek to be true believers or disciples. Let’s seek to be brothers and sisters in the same family, children of the same Father! Love one another as Paul did in this passage—and don’t be afraid to say or write this to be edifying to others.