Now I commend to you our sister Phoebe, who is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea; 2 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 benefactor of many, and of myself as well.
3 Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus,
4 who for my life risked their own necks, to whom not only do I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles;
5 also greet the church that is in their house.
Greet Epaenetus, my beloved, who is the first convert to Christ from Asia.
6 Greet Mary, who has labored much for you.
7 Greet Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen and my fellow prisoners, who are outstanding to the apostles, who also were in Christ before me.
8 Greet Ampliatus, 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 those of the household of Narcissus, who are in the Lord.
12 Greet Tryphaena and Tryphosa, laborers in the Lord.
Greet Persis the beloved, who labored much in the Lord.
13 Greet Rufus, a choice man in the Lord, also his mother and mine.
14 Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas and the brothers 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.
All the churches of Christ greet you. Romans 16: 1-16 LSB
Romans 16: 1-16
Vs 1-2 Our sister Phoebe - In the early church it seemed to be a practice that people carried with them letters of commendation, or such was sent ahead by the hand of another. These were the positive side of the same coin which also carried letters of warning and rebuke to protect the church from scandal and false teachers. The reference of sister is in Christ, as we are all one body in Him Who we trusted as the First Born among many brethren. So Phoebe is a believer, but it would seem she is also carrying Paul's letter to Rome, as MacArthur points out, one of "the greatest theological treatise ever penned." So she is also a very trusted individual, a servant, which some churches would call a deaconess. Women, though their roles were different regarding leadership, were in every way equal in their standing before God, and vital to the life of the church. No one has a greater influence over children than their mother, and the church is desperate for godly, mature women who can teach and counsel younger women, avoiding much of the scandals we see today. God's design carries great purpose, and the neglect of it is always the downfall of both the church and civilization.
Phoebe ("bright & radiant") was probably a Gentile by birth, since the closely related name "Phoibe" was the name of a pagan goddess. Another source adds that "Phoebe" is the feminine form of a title given to the pagan god Apollo, the title meaning "the bright one." It is interesting to note that the early Christians retained their names although they were derived from the names of false gods, because now that they were in Christ these pagan names had lost all religious meaning. Similarly we retain the names of the days of the week without ever thinking about their derivation.
William Newell writes that "This sixteenth chapter is neglected by many to their own loss. It is by far the most extensive, intimate and particular of all the words of loving greeting in Paul's marvelous letters. No one can afford to miss this wonderful outpouring of the heart of our apostle toward the saints whom he so loved—which means all the real Church of God!" (Romans 16) - Precept Austin
1Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Or do we need, like some people, letters of recommendation to you or from you? 2You yourselves are our letter, inscribed on our hearts, known and read by everyone.… 2 Corinthians 3: 1-2
…49Pointing to His disciples, He said, “Here are My mother and My brothers. 50For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother.” Matthew 12: 49-50
…29“Truly I tell you,” Jesus replied, “no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for My sake and for the gospel 30will fail to receive a hundredfold in the present age— houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and fields, along with persecutions— and in the age to come, eternal life. 31But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.”… Mark 10: 29-31
1Do not rebuke an older man, but appeal to him as to a father. Treat younger men as brothers, 2older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity. 3Honor the widows who are truly widows.… 1 Timothy 5: 1-3
…2as well as some women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, 3 Joanna the wife of Herod’s household manager Chuza, Susanna, and many others. These women were ministering to them out of their own means. Luke 8: 2-3
John MacArthur comments on this somewhat controversial passage writing that "Servant translates diakonos, the term from which we get deacon. The Greek word [diakonos (1249)] here is neuter and was used in the church as a general term for servant before the offices of deacon and deaconess were developed. It is used of the household servants who drew the water that Jesus turned into wine (John 2:5, 9), and Paul has used the term earlier in this letter (Ro 13:4 [note], twice) to refer to secular government as “a minister of God to you for good” and even of Christ as “a servant to the circumcision,” that is, to Jews (Ro 15:8). When diakonos obviously refers to a church office, it is usually transliterated as “deacon” (see, e.g., Phil 1:1; 1Ti 3:10,13, 1-13). In 1Ti 3:11, Paul declares that “women must likewise be dignified, not malicious gossips, but temperate, faithful in all things.” Some argue that he is referring to wives of deacons, (Ed. Note: NIV, KJV, NKJV translate it as "wives" but more literal is to render it as "women") rather than to an office of women deacons. But it makes no sense that high standards would be specified for the wives of deacons but not for wives of overseers (or bishops, who are also called elders, see Titus 1:5-note) (Ed note: Click study on episkopos), whose qualifications he has just given in 1Ti 3:1-7. In this context (1Ti 3:1-10, 12, 13), the office of deaconess is clearly implied. The “likewise” in 1Ti 3:11 ties the qualifications of these women to those already given for the offices of overseer and deacon. In 1Ti 3:11, Paul did not refer to those women as deaconesses because diakonos has no feminine form. During the first few centuries of the church, the role of a woman servant (diakonos) was to care for fellow believers who were sick, for the poor, for strangers passing through, and for the imprisoned. They also were responsible for helping baptize and disciple new women converts and to instruct children and other women. Whether or not Phoebe held some official title or not, Paul commended her as a highly-proven servant of Christ and implored the church at Rome to receive her in the Lord. (MacArthur, J: Romans 9-16. Chicago: Moody Press) (Bolding added)
Servant (1249)(diakonos related word diakonia) the same word used in previous chapter of Christ's example of how we are to "accept one another" (Romans 15:7; 8-note)
The word servant is the feminine of deacon, and some students believe she was a deaconess in the church. This is possible, because there were women in the early church who served by visiting the sick, assisting the young women, and helping the poor. But lest me miss Paul's main point, remember Paul stressed her service, not her office and neither should we. - PA
…10Additionally, they must first be tested. Then, if they are above reproach, let them serve as deacons. 11In the same way, the women must be dignified, not slanderers, but temperate and faithful in all things. 12A deacon must be the husband of but one wife, a good manager of his children and of his own household.… 1 Timothy 3: 10-12
1 Wives, in the same way, submit yourselves to your husbands, so that even if they refuse to believe the word, they will be won over without words by the behavior of their wives 2when they see your pure and reverent demeanor.…
…3Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair or gold jewelry or fine clothes, 4but from the inner disposition of your heart, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in God’s sight. 5For this is how the holy women of the past adorned themselves. They put their hope in God and were submissive to their husbands,… 1 Peter 3: 1-5
…2Older men are to be temperate, dignified, self-controlled, and sound in faith, love, and perseverance. 3Older women, likewise, are to be reverent in their behavior, not slanderers or addicted to much wine, but teachers of good. 4In this way they can train the young women to love their husbands and children,…
…5to be self-controlled, pure, managers of their households, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be discredited. 6In the same way, urge the younger men to be self-controlled. 7In everything, show yourself to be an example by doing good works. In your teaching show integrity, dignity,… Titus 2: 2-7
Vs. 3-5 My fellow workers in Christ Jesus - Prisca and Aquila not only shared in the ministry of the gospel, having a church in their home, but were also tent makers like Paul. Aquila is Latin for "Eagle". This would have cause the couple to spend much time with Paul and to be very close. It is enviable in a sense because it is so rare in this world to work alongside someone who is a brother or sister and models the Christian walk so well. Their conversations must have been real food indeed for someone like Paul who was often imprisoned and or chained to a Roman soldier. We read of tiffs between Paul and Barnabas, Paul and Peter, Paul and Mark, but not Prisca and Aquila. This couple was so well acquainted with the Word of God that they were also able to correct and instruct even the mighty Apollos.
…24Meanwhile a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was an eloquent man, well versed in the Scriptures. 25He had been instructed in the way of the Lord and was fervent in spirit. He spoke and taught accurately about Jesus, though he knew only the baptism of John. 26And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him in and explained to him the way of God more accurately.… Acts 18: 24-26
An Unusual Couple? - The more we see marriage problems all around us, the more we wonder where to look for a marriage that is working. How about the story of a couple who not only made their marriage work but who also used their unity to assist the early church? Their names were Aquila and Priscilla. Notice the characteristics that made them so helpful to Paul, and which, I believe, reflected the strength of their marriage.They were selfless and brave. In Romans 16:4, Paul said they “risked their own necks” for him.
They were hospitable. A church met in their home (1Co 16:19).
They were flexible. Twice they had to move—once by force from Rome (Acts 18:2) and once by choice to go on a missions trip with Paul (Acts 18:18).
They worked together. They were tentmakers (Acts 18:3).
They both were committed to Christ and teaching others about Him. They invited Apollos to their home, where they “explained to him the way of God more accurately” (Acts 18:26).
Aquila and Priscilla were a unit—a team—an inseparable twosome. That may make them an unusual couple, but it’s a difference we who are married should all hope to imitate.— Dave Branon (Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved)
A man and wife who serve the Lord
Will serve each other too;
And jointly they will show the world
What’s right and good and true.
—K. De Haan
Marriage works best when a couple has a single purpose. - PA
V. 5b Epaenetus, my beloved - Very warm intro, showing Paul had very deep and meaningful relationships with his fellow believers. First convert, first fruit. One could say that Paul has known him from infancy according to his being born again.
V. 6 Greet Mary - Women were a great part of the life of the church and service. Mary was a common name at that time though, so hard to know which one.
…9A widow should be enrolled if she is at least sixty years old, the wife of one man, 10and well known for good deeds such as bringing up children, entertaining strangers, washing the feet of the saints, imparting relief to the afflicted, and devoting herself to every good work. 11But refuse to enroll younger widows. For when their passions draw them away from Christ, they will want to marry,… 1 Timothy 5: 9-11
V. 7 Andronicus and Junias - Andronicus means man of victory.
MacArthur comments that...The phrase outstanding among the apostles could have one of several meanings. It obviously does not refer to the office of apostle (apostolos). The term itself means simply “sent ones,” and in that sense refers to any believer whom the Lord sends forth in ministry. It seems likely that the meaning here is that Andronicus and Junias performed outstanding service in the Lord’s work while working among, and possibly under, some of the ordained apostles, such as Paul and Peter. That interpretation is supported by Paul’s remark that those two believers were in Christ before me, that is, were converted to Christ before he was. At the time of Paul’s conversion, most converts were still living in or near Jerusalem, where several of the Twelve were leaders in the church. If, therefore, Paul’s two kinsmen were converted before he was, it is likely that they lived in Jerusalem and performed their outstanding service among the apostles in that city. (MacArthur, J: Romans 9-16. Chicago: Moody Press) - PA
Vs. 8-16 Greet
Ampliatus
Urbanus and Stachys - Stachys means ear of corn
Fellow worker (4904) (sunergos [word study] from sun/syn = together with, speaks of an intimate relationship + érgon = work) means literally working together with and thus refers to a companion in work, a colleague, a co-laborer, a fellow laborer or fellow helper. Sunergos gives us our English word "synergy" which is defined as the interaction or working together of two (or more) agents or forces which produce a combined effect greater than the sum of their individual effects. This truth is worth pondering especially in light of Paul's repeated use in this chapter replete with specific names of other believers. - PA
Apelles - Not sure of his role, but approved In Christ means he must have performed it well. Paul was not someone who held a low bar either, so any mention must be considered a great commendation.
Herodian - my kinsman, meaning a fellow Jew.
Tryphaena means delicate and Tryphosa means dainty.
Rufus means red and apparently his mother had on occasion acted as a mother to Paul, a sign of great respect and appreciation. Choice man can be translated chosen, so probably set apart for some task.
