Romans 16:6-15 (WEL) Say, “Hi,” to Mary, who worked so hard for us. 7 Say, “Hi,” to Andronicus and Junia, my countrymen and fellow prisoners, who are highly regarded among the Apostles and were in Christ before me. 8 Greet Amplias, my dear friend in the Lord. 9 Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in Christ, and Stachys, my good friend. 10 Say, “Hi,” to Apelles, approved by Christ. Greet those from Aristobulus’ [household]. 11 Greet Herodion, my countryman. Greet those from the [household] of Narcissus who are in the Lord. 12 Say, “Hello,” to Tryphena and Tryphosa, who work hard for the Lord. Greet Persis, who worked very hard for the Lord. 13 Say, “Hi,” to Rufus, the chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine. 14 Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermas, Patrobas, Hermes, and the brethren with them. 15 Say, “Hello,” to Philologus and Julia, Nereus and his sister, Olympas, and all the holy [people] with them.
V6 Say, “Hi,” to Mary, who worked so hard for us.
It is not known who this Mary is. It is a common name, probably Jewish. It is important to note how many people are unknown but very known to God. God will reward them for their service. Please do not think you are not used by God.
V7 Say, “Hi,” to Andronicus and Junia, my countrymen and fellow prisoners, who are highly regarded among the Apostles and were in Christ before me.
These are husband and wife, who are Messianic Jews (the Israel of God—Galatians 2:16), and fellow prisoners because they worship Jesus. The Apostles (the 12 Apostles of Jesus) know them personally. Also, they were believers in Jesus before Paul.
The term Synagogue of satan (Revelation 2:9 and Revelation 3:9) refers to Israelites who refused to believe and instigators to making sure Jesus was killed by the Romans.
V8 Greet Amplias, my dear friend in the Lord.
Many believe Amplias to be the pastor of the Roman assembly.
V9 Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in Christ, and Stachys, my good friend.
Urbanus was a respected spiritual leader in the Roman assembly. Stachys was, according to Grok: “Later Christian tradition, however, expands on his story, portraying him as one of the seventy disciples of Jesus and the second bishop of Byzantium (modern-day Istanbul) from around 38 to 54 AD. According to these accounts, he was appointed bishop by the Apostle Andrew, who is said to have founded the church in Byzantium, and he served until his death in 54 AD.”
V10 Say, “Hi,” to Apelles, approved by Christ. Greet those from Aristobulus’ [household].
Apelles is a believer approved by Christ. The Greek word for approved is G1384 δόκιμος dókimos, which means proven, tried, and accepted. May we all be such.
Grok Summary: “Early Christian tradition, particularly in the Eastern Orthodox Church, offers additional but unverified details, identifying him as one of the seventy disciples sent out by Jesus (Luke 10:1-24). He is also traditionally considered the bishop of Smyrna (modern-day Izmir, Turkey) before Polycarp, appointed by the Apostle Andrew, and is said to have served during the 1st century AD. Some accounts also associate him with Heracleion (or Heraclea) as a bishop. These traditions, while widely accepted in Orthodox hagiography, lack primary historical evidence and may conflate him with others of the same name.”
Aristobulus is probably the owner of the house where the church met.
V11 Greet Herodion, my countryman. Greet those from the [household] of Narcissus who are in the Lord.
Herodion was a Jewish believer. Narcissus and his family were believers. Maybe not all of his family through the words “who are in the Lord.”
V12 Say, “Hello,” to Tryphena and Tryphosa, who work hard for the Lord. Greet Persis, who worked very hard for the Lord.
Tryphena, Tryphosa, and Persis are three Christian women in the Roman assembly and probably deaconesses serving the Lord.
V13 Say, “Hi,” to Rufus, the chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine.
Rufus must have been a spiritual leader in the assembly. He is chosen because the condition for salvation is believing the Gospel. Paul knew Rufus’ mother because Paul’s mother and her were friends.
V14 Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermas, Patrobas, Hermes, and the brethren with them.
These are other believers known to Paul.
V15 Say, “Hello,” to Philologus and Julia, Nereus and his sister, Olympas, and all the holy [people] with them.
These are other believers known to Paul.
We learn:
- They may be unknown to people and have unknown ministries, but God will reward them.
- It is good to recognize others for their service.
Questions:
- If you are unknown, are you still being faithful in whatever ministry God has given you?
- If you are well known, are you giving God the glory?