CHAPTER 16
16:1-16 - Recognitions
16:17-20 - Trouble makers
16:21-24 - Timothy & workers
16:25-27 - Paean of Blessing
1 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 helper 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 worked hard for you.
7 Greet Andronicus and Junias, my kinsmen and my fellow prisoners, who are outstanding among 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, workers in the Lord. Greet Persis the beloved, who has worked hard 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 brethren 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.
V. 1-2 - “Phoebe” - A deaconess of the church. From dictionaries, we find that Corinth had two major harbors, Cenchrea (East of Corinth) and Lacheum (west of Corinth). There was a church located in Cenchrea, and it is possible a Paul founded a church there, and perhaps witnessed the Gospel to Phoebe.
“You receive her in the Lord” - Phoebe may have been the messenger carrying the letter to the Roman church. There was no mail service “R.E.P.S. - Roman Empire Postal Service”. Letters required a courier to make the trip and deliver the document. She was to be treated as they would any other Christian believer - as a ‘saint’.
“You help her” - What kind of help she might need is unknown. Since she was the courier, perhaps she would need lodging and food, help to find her way around Rome, making arrangements for her return to Cenchrea, etc. Paul recommends her because she has helped many people including himself.
V. 3-5 - “Prisca and Aquila” - This husband and wife team is mentioned several times in the NT writings. (See: Acts 18:2, 18, 26; 1 Cor 16:19; 2 Tim 4:19) Paul first meets them in Corinth on his second missionary journey. They must have been vital to the church ministry as it spread throughout the Roman Empire. Priscilla and Aquila were working in Rome when Paul sent this letter, and later in Ephesus with Timothy. They held church meetings in their home.
“Epaenatus” - One of the first Christian converts in Asia. (This is the only place where he is mentioned in scripture.)
Vss. 6-15 - A list of workers in Rome: Andronicus, Junias, Amplias, Urbonus, Stacitys, Apelles, Aristubulus, Herodian, Persis, Rufus, Asynchritus, Phleogeon, Hermès, Patrobos, Hermas, Philogus, Nereus, and Olympas. I do not know if these people are part of Paul's travelling group, or Paul knows these people in Rome because they were saved there. As far as I know, Paul had not been there (Rome) when he wrote the letter. They are not mentioned anywhere else in scripture.
Women mentioned in the list: Tryphaena, Tryphosa, Julia, Nereus’ sister, Rufus’ mother, and Mary: From the beginning of the church, women have had a prominent place. Paul worshipped in women’s homes on his missionary trips. This is a 'big' change from Jewish sabbath worship, where women sat on one side of the room from the men, and were not allowed to speak. I do not think this practice (separating women from men) was carried forward in the Christian church.
It is really different from the pagan religions of the nations all around the Mediterranean sea and in northern Africa. My impression is that women were not equal to men, and in many cases women were used as temple prostitutes. (I don't think that married women were offered by their husbands to be prostitutes.) Many of the Roman or Greek religions used sex as part of the 'worship'.
The Christian faith elevated women to be saved on their own 'right' by the love and sacrifice of Jesus, not just because their husbands were saved. Women did not need a husband to be a Christian. Praise the Lord for that!
V. 16 - “Greet one another with a holy kiss” - Great each other, warmly and friendly-like. Hugs and kisses are fine. Not kisses that lead to making love, but show the affection of one Christian for another. We are all brothers and sisters in Christ. Even if you do not have a brother or a sister, you know how you greet family members.
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