Now I exhort you, brothers, take note of those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and turn away from them. Truth to Learn Avoid those who teach false doctrine. Behind the Words “Exhort” is translated from the Greek verb parakalō, which literally means “to...
Romans 16:16 – A Holy Kiss?
Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ greet you. Truth to Learn The early church employed a kiss as a customary greeting. Behind the Words “Greet” is from aspadzomai, meaning “to enfold in the arms” or as we would say, “to hug,” which we learned...
Romans 16:15 – Family of Saints
Greet Philologus and Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints with them. Truth to Learn All Christians are saints and are God’s children. Behind the Words The name “Philologus” means “one who loves to learn.” “Nereus,” by some sources is said to be derived from Nereo...
Romans 16:14 – Church Building Idolatry?
Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermas, Patrobas, Hermes, and the brothers who are with them. Truth to Learn God wants a relationship, not brick and mortar. Behind the Words “Asyncritus” is the name of a slave who was made a freeman by Caesar Augustus. The name is made up of the negative...
Romans 16:13 – A Choice Christian
Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine. Truth to Learn Some Christians stand out as “choice” within the church. Behind the Words The name “Rufus” is of Roman (Latin) origin, meaning “red.” “Chosen” is translated from the noun eklektos, which is based on the verb eklegomai,...
Romans 16:12 – Hard Working Women
Greet Tryphena and Tryphosa, who are laboring in the Lord. Greet the beloved Persis, who labored much in the Lord. Truth to Learn There are many hard working women in the church! Behind the Words The names “Tryphena and Tryphosa” are Greek and are both derived from the verb truphaō,...
Romans 16:11 – This Precious Salvation
Greet Herodion, my countryman. Greet those who are of the household of Narcissus who are in the Lord. Truth to Learn Some Christians put their lives in danger when they get saved. Behind the Words The word “countryman,” which we saw in verse seven, is translated from sungenēs, meaning “same...
Romans 16:10 – Proving Ground of Faith
Greet Apelles, approved in Christ. Greet those who are of the household of Aristobulus. Truth to Learn Christians undergo trials of their faith. Behind the Words The word translated “approved” is dokimos, derived from the verb dokimadzō, which means “to try or test for the purpose of determining value or...
Romans 16:9 – Hugs and Kisses
Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in Christ, and Stachys, my beloved. Truth to Learn Family members greet one another with signs of affection. Behind the Words The word “greet,” which we looked at back in verse three, is aspadzomai, which refers specifically to greeting a person with a hug. There...
Romans 16:8 – My Beloved Brother
Greet Amplias, my beloved in the Lord. Truth to Learn Some people were specially honored by the Apostle Paul. Behind the Words “Amplias” is a shortened form of the Latin name Ampliatus, meaning “enlarged.” Some Greek manuscripts have the full name rather than the shortened form. “Beloved” is translated from...