Category: Romans 16

Romans 16:7 – A Distinguished Pair

Posted on by Will

Greet Andronicus and Junia, my countrymen and my fellow prisoners, who are well thought of among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me.

Truth to Learn

Some Christians are well known for their service in the church.

Behind the Words

The word “countrymen” is translated from sungenēs, which is made up of sun, meaning “together” and genos, meaning “offspring, family, or nation.” This word can be used to imply a family member (a relative) or someone with the same ethnic roots.

“Fellow prisoners” is from the Greek noun sunaichmalōtos, a double compound word made up of sun, meaning “together,” eichmē, meaning “a spear,” and a form of halōtos, meaning “to be conquered or taken captive.” Sunaichmalōtos refers to anyone who has been imprisoned with someone else.

The words “well thought of” come from the Greek word episēmos, which is made up of epi, meaning “upon” and sēma, meaning “a mark or a sign.” So, literally this means someone who has “a mark upon them.” In a good sense this word implies being “well thought of or distinguished.” In a bad sense this word refers to someone who is “notorious.”

Meaning Explained

Paul now extends a greeting to Andronicus and Junia. Although Junia is a name that can be given to a man or a woman, it is most likely that these two were both men. Though this translation refers to them as countrymen (fellow Jews) it is likely that they were more closely related to Paul than just descendants of Israel. A number of the people to whom Paul sends greetings have Jewish names, yet only these two are referred to as sungenēs. Therefore, it is likely that Andronicus and Junia were family relatives of Paul.

He tells us that they were imprisoned with him, although he doesn’t say when or where. Given that Paul was frequently imprisoned, it is difficult to speculate on which occasion they were imprisoned with him. What is of note is that Paul only refers to two other “fellow prisoners” in all his writing:

Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, greets you, (Philemon 1:23)

Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you … (Colossians 4:10a)

Paul tells us that Andronicus and Junia were well thought of among the apostles. He is not saying that these two were apostles, but that they were well thought of by those who were true apostles of Jesus Christ.

Finally, we are told that these two were believers in Jesus Christ as the Messiah before Paul was. It is likely that they were among the earliest converts among the Jews and became known to the apostles in Jerusalem before the martyrdom of Stephen and the ensuing dispersion of Christians from Jerusalem.

Application

Andronicus and Junia were well known among the leaders of the early church, probably because of their testimonies and their service in the church. What do the leaders of your church say about you? If asked, would they say that you are “well thought of” within your church, or do they even know who you are?

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2018 Will Krause. All rights reserved

Romans 16:6 – Hard Working Mary

Posted on by Will

Greet Mary, who did much hard work for us.

Truth to Learn

Some people in the church work extremely hard and get little or no recognition.

Behind the Words

“Mary” is translated from the Greek name Miriam, which is transliterated from the Hebrew name Miryam, meaning “rebelliously.” Some texts have the name as mirian. So this could variously be translated as Mary, Maria, Miriam, or Marian.

The word “work” is translated from the Greek verb kopiaō, which is derived from the noun kopos, which literally means “a cut” but figuratively refers to “heavy labor which reduces one’s strength.” Thus, kopiaō means “to work hard to the point of feeling fatigued.”

The word “us” is from hēmas, however some Greek manuscripts have the word humas, meaning “you (plural).”

Meaning Explained

Very little is known for certain about this woman, Mary. The only thing which Paul says about her is that she was an extremely hard worker. It is possible that this woman was a tireless worker in Paul’s church planting, evangelistic ministry, and that she offered her services in multiple cities where Paul preached. On the other hand, based on the textual variation of “you” versus “us,” it could be that she was a resident of Rome who dedicated her hard work in the service of the church there.

The fact that Paul sends her greetings in his letter to the Roman church would seem to indicate that he was quite familiar with her and was quite familiar with how hard she worked. If this is the case, then it makes sense that she expended her hard work in assisting Paul in his ministry. It is possible that she, like Aquila and Priscilla, had assisted Paul in Greece and Asia Minor and had since moved to Rome. Whoever this woman was and whatever her specific task was, we know that she was a tireless worker who labored hard and long.

This type of hard work on behalf of our Lord is recognized in several places in the New Testament. In His message to the seven churches in the opening chapters of Revelation, Christ says this to the church at Ephesus:

I know your works, and your labor, and your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and found them to be liars; and you have patience and have endured, and have labored for My name's sake and have not become weary. (Revelation 2:2-3)

In this passage, both “labor” and “labored” are translated from the same word used to describe Mary in today’s verse. Also, this same word is used in one of the more easily recognized quotes from the Bible where our Lord said:

Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavily laden, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28)

Application

Many people attend church each Sunday to get a spiritual recharge and to find some peace and rest. Such would not be possible, however, were it not for those who work tirelessly with little or no recognition, such as janitors, nursery workers, or office assistants. Let’s all make it a point this week to find someone like Mary and thank them for the hard word they give week after week to the service of our Lord.

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2018 Will Krause. All rights reserved

Romans 16:5 – Committed and Active

Posted on by Will

And greet the church that is in their house. Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who is a firstfruits of Achaia to Christ.

Truth to Learn

Christianity involves active participation, not passive attendance.

Behind the Words

 “Church” is from the Greek noun ekklēsia, which is made up of ek, meaning “out of” and a form of kaleō, meaning “to call.” Hence, we see that ekklēsia literally means “a group of called out ones.” It originally referred to citizens who were called out by a herald for a public meeting. As Christians gathered in the first century they were initially referred to as a synagogue (from the Greek sunagogē, meaning “gathered together ones”). But, in order to distinguish them from a Jewish gathering, they were soon referred to as a church (ekklēsia).

The word “firstfruits” is translated from aparchē. This is another compound word. This one is made up of apo, meaning “from” and archomai, meaning “to begin.” Thus, aparchē literally means “begin from.” In other words, it is the beginning of something from which other things follow.

The word “Achaia” does not appear in some of the major Greek texts. Instead, the word Asia appears.

Meaning Explained

The first thing we learn from this verse is that Aquila and Priscilla were totally involved in ministering for the Lord. Not only did they work with Paul in both secular and spiritual activities, helping Paul and even risking their own lives for him, but they also had a church meeting in their own house. Some have speculated that this simply indicated some of the members of the church in Rome gathering in their home from time to time. However, we know that Aquila and Priscilla seemed to use their home for church meetings elsewhere as well. Since Paul wrote 1 Corinthians from Ephesus, we see that Aquila and Priscilla had a church meeting in their house in Ephesus as well.

The churches of Asia greet you. Aquila and Priscilla greet you heartily in the Lord, with the church that is in their house. (1Corinthians 16:19)

Paul now moves on from Aquila and Priscilla, sending greetings to a man named Epaenetus. His name means “praised.” We know nothing about this man other than what Paul proclaims here. He was someone very special to Paul because he refers to Epaenetus as his “beloved.” He also indicates that this man was a firstfruits of Achaia (or Asia). This implies that Epaenetus was the first (or one of the first) people to become a Christian in that area.

Application

Aquila and Priscilla were active members involved in ministering to the body of Christ no matter where they were. Likewise, Phoebe used what God had given to her to support the body, especially those who had a particular need. Are you an active member of the body of Christ, or do you just go to church?

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2018 Will Krause. All rights reserved

Romans 16:4 – Behind The Scenes

Posted on by Will

who risked their own necks for me, to whom not only do I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles.

Truth to Learn

Some of the most important ministries are behind the scenes.

 

Behind the Words

The word “risked” is a metaphorical translation of hupotithēmi. This is made up of hupo, meaning “under” or “beneath” and tithēmi, meaning “to place or to put.” So, literally this word means “to place underneath.” It is a word which was used of those who “placed their neck under the axe of the executioner.” The correctness of this metaphorical translation is strengthened by the fact that Paul says it is their “neck” that they “placed underneath.”

Eucharistō is the word translated “give thanks.” This is a word which we have seen before. A transliteration of this word gives us our English word Eucharist, which refers to communion or the Lord ’s Supper. Eucharistō means “to give thanks.”

 

Meaning Explained

From verse three we know that Paul is talking about Priscilla and Aquila, a wife and husband team who were instrumental in assisting Paul in both his secular job and his ministry. He says here that they risked their own necks for him. We don’t know exactly how they did this, for there is no direct scriptural evidence, but we do know that Paul was in physical danger on several occasions. One such time may have been there in Corinth when the Jews accused Paul of breaking the law:

While Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews made a united attack against Paul and brought him to the judgment seat, saying, "This man persuades others to worship God contrary to the law." (Acts 18:12-13)

Another time that Aquila and Priscilla may have endangered themselves to protect Paul was in Ephesus where there was a great uprising against Christians:

And the whole city was filled with confusion, and with one accord they rushed into the theater, having seized Gaius and Aristarchus, Macedonians, Paul's travel companions. Paul wanted to go in to the people but the disciples would not allow him. (Acts 19:29-30)

Paul also makes it clear that Aquila and Priscilla were a great help to some of the churches. Again, we don’t know exactly what Paul is referring to but one example of their service to the churches is found again in Ephesus where they provided scriptural training for Apollos, a preacher of the gospel:

Now a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man being mighty in the Scriptures, came to Ephesus. He had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things of the Lord, though he knew only the baptism of John. And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Aquila and Priscilla heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately. (Acts 18:24-26)

 

Application

Obviously, Aquila and Priscilla were used by God in the early church by assisting Paul in his ministry and by teaching correct doctrine to those who were gifted in proclaiming it. It seems that their ministry was “behind the scenes” where they worked quietly and fervently. Is this the type of ministry God has called you to? If so, do it faithfully like Aquila and Priscilla.

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2018 Will Krause. All rights reserved

Romans 16:3 – Secular Saints

Posted on by Will

Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus,

Truth to Learn

Just because you work at a secular job doesn’t mean God doesn’t want to use you in building up the church.

 

Behind the Words

“Greet” is translated from aspadzomai, which is made up of a, denoting union and probably a form of spaō, meaning “to draw.” Basically, aspadzomai means “to enfold in the arms” or as we would say, “to hug.” Just as it is today, a hug was a form of greeting, especially within the body of Christ.

The name “Priscilla” literally means “little Prisca.” It is like a person today named Bill being referred to as Billy.

“Fellow workers” is from sunergos, which is made up of sun, meaning “together” and a form of ergon, meaning “work or labor.” So, sunergos means “a fellow laborer.”

 

Meaning Explained

Paul met Priscilla and Aquila on his first trip to Corinth (see Acts chapter eighteen). Paul’s commission from God was to preach the Gospel to the Gentiles but his occupation was that of a tent maker. In large cities in the Roman world, the various trades gathered together around the marketplace. Likewise, in the Synagogue the various trades sat together in “guilds.” Therefore, it is not unusual that Paul would have met a fellow tent-maker when he first arrived in Corinth. Because Paul and Aquila were both tent makers and both Jews who believed in Jesus Christ as the Messiah, Aquila and Priscilla apparently asked Paul to live with them when he first came to town.

And he found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, who had recently arrived from Italy with his wife Priscilla (because Claudius had ordered all the Jews to leave Rome); and he came to them. And because he was of the same trade, he stayed with them and worked; for their occupation they that of tentmakers. (Acts 18:2-3)

From this passage in Acts, we also learn that Aquila and Priscilla originally lived in Rome, but they had to leave when Emperor Claudius kicked all the Jews out of Rome. At the time of the writing of this letter, Paul was again in Corinth, but by this time Aquila and Priscilla had moved back to Rome.

Paul remained in Corinth for about a year and a half, then he sailed for Syria, and Priscilla and Aquila sailed with him. On their way to Syria, however, they stopped in Ephesus where Priscilla and Aquila stayed behind.

So Paul remained a good many days. Then he left the brothers and sailed for Syria, and Priscilla and Aquila were with him… And he came to Ephesus, and left them there… (Acts 18:18-19)

It is quite likely that Paul worked side-by-side with Aquila making tents, but Priscilla was likely more involved in helping Paul in his preaching ministry. That is probably why in both Romans 16:3 and 2Timothy 4:19, when Paul mentions this couple he refers to Priscilla first.

 

Application

God may have called you to work full-time in a Christian organization. Even if He didn’t, though, you can have a significant impact in building the body of Christ. If you are not serving God in a local church, you may be missing out on one of the greatest blessings God could bestow on you.

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2018 Will Krause. All rights reserved

Romans 16:2 – Help The Helper

Posted on by Will

that you may receive her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints, and help her in whatever matter she may need from you; for indeed she has been a helper of many and of myself as well.

Truth to Learn

Helping other Christians is a Christ-like thing to do.

 

Behind the Words

The word “receive” is translated from prosdechomai, which is made up of pros, meaning “unto or toward,” and dechomai, meaning “to accept or receive.” This word literally means “to receive unto oneself.”

“In a manner worthy” is translated from the adverb axiōs. This is based on the word axios (short “o”), meaning “worthy.” Thus, axiōs (long “o”) means “worthily” or “in a worthy manner.”

“Help” is from paristanō, made up of para, meaning “beside or near” and histēmi, meaning “to stand.” Literally, this word means “to stand with” or “to stand beside.” It is used in a courtroom setting referring to the one who presents a case or who provides a witness.

“Matter” is from pragma, which is derived from the verb prassō, meaning “to do repeatedly” or “to practice.” Pragma refers to an action or a deed that is done repeatedly or constantly.

The word translated “helper” is prostatis, which is made up of pro, meaning “toward” or “before” and histēmi, meaning “to stand” or “to set in place.” In secular Greek writing of the time, this is the word used to refer to a “patron,” one who supports or takes care of another.

 

Meaning Explained

In the previous verse we learned that Paul is talking about a woman named Phoebe, a deaconess in the church of Cenchrea (near Corinth). It is generally believed that Phoebe is the one who delivered this letter to the church in Rome. And, it appears that she was a wealthy woman, due to the fact that Paul presents her as having been a helper (patroness) of many people, including Paul himself. Apparently, she provided financial support for Paul in his ministry. From Paul’s use of the words paristanō and pragma we might infer that Phoebe went to Rome on some legal or other business matter.

Whatever Phoebe’s reason for going to Rome, Paul instructs the church there to receive her as a fellow Christian worthy of respect. We are all aware that businesses today often use symbols of Christianity (like the sign of the fish) to attract Christians as potential customers. Usually it is legitimate, but sometimes, based on the way they do business, it appears to be a marketing ploy. Paul’s comments to the church in Rome indicate that Phoebe was a genuinely devout Christian and that they should willingly assist her in whatever matter  she has that might need their help. She has demonstrated her own unselfishness by helping many others, and now it is time for members of the body of Christ to show unselfishness toward her.

 

Application

As Christians, we are often asked to provide help for fellow Christians in need. For some of us it’s difficult to do. For others it’s easy. For all of us, its part of being Christ-like.

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2018 Will Krause. All rights reserved

Romans 16:1 – Phoebe the Deaconess

Posted on by Will

I commend to you Phoebe our sister, who is a servant of the church in Cenchrea,

Truth to Learn

Women who serve in formal positions in a church perform an important service to God and His church.

 

Behind the Words

“Commend” is translated from the Greek verb sunistēmi, a compound word made up of sun, meaning “together with” and histēmi, meaning “to stand or to set in place.” Thus, the literal interpretation of this word is “to stand together.” When used of persons it generally means “to introduce or present to one's acquaintance for favorable notice.” Thus, it means to commend or present as worthy. This is the word which was commonly used in letters of commendation.

The word translated “sister” is adelphē. This is the feminine form of adelphos, which is made up of a, implying togetherness or unity and delphus, meaning “the womb.” Thus, adelphē means a female who has come out of the same womb. Both adelphos and adelphē are frequently used metaphorically to refer to a brother or sister in Christ.

“Servant” is from the Greek word diakonos, meaning “a minister, a servant, or a deacon.” In this verse it most likely refers to the formal position of deaconess within the church.

“Cenchrea” was a port city just nine miles east of the city of Corinth. Some believe that this was where the church of Corinth actually met, though there is some dispute on this matter.

 

Meaning Explained

Having finished his doctrinal teaching, Paul now closes the letter with a series of salutations. In doing so he demonstrates his intimate knowledge of members of the church in Rome even though he had not yet been to Rome. This is a sign of a good minister of the Gospel, knowing personal details about the people to whom and with whom he ministers.

He starts off this verse with a formal commendation of a woman named Phoebe, who was probably the messenger carrying this letter from Corinth (where Paul was when it was written) to Rome. Phoebe is referred to as a deaconess. Though this could be interpreted as simply “a minister” or “a servant,” the fact that Paul refers to her as a diakonos “of the church in Cenchrea” indicates that it probably was her formal position in the church. In the first century of the Christian church, it was not uncommon to have deaconesses whose primary responsibilities were to minister to and care for other women in the church. Elsewhere in the New Testament, references are made to a class of females whose duty it was to teach other females and to take the general superintendence of that part of the church. Also, various letters of ecclesiastical history (not included in the Bible) give evidence to this class of females within the church. The strict separation of the sexes in the early church made the services of deaconesses necessary for baptism, visiting the women, and teaching women’s study groups.

 

Application

Though there is sound Biblical evidence that the position of pastoring a church is to be strictly limited to men, that doesn’t mean that women are to be excluded from serving in formal positions. Women are needed to perform much needed duties in the church and are commended by God for doing so.

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2018 Will Krause. All rights reserved