Salutations

Romans 16:3-11 Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus: Who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles. Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Salute my well-beloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia unto Christ. Greet Mary, who bestowed much labour on us. Salute Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen, and my fellow prisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me. Greet Amplias my beloved in the Lord. Salute Urbane, our helper in Christ, and Stachys my beloved. Salute Apelles approved in Christ. Salute them which are of Aristobulus’ household. Salute Herodion my kinsman. Greet them that be of the household of Narcissus, which are in the Lord. Salute Tryphena and Tryphosa, who labour in the Lord. Salute the beloved Persis, which laboured much in the Lord. Salute Rufus chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine. Salute Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermas, Patrobas, Hermes, and the brethren which are with them. Salute Philologus, and Julia, Nereus, and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints which are with them. 

‘Priscilla and Aquila my helpers’ – they perhaps had gone back to Rome and had a congregation in their house (16:3-4). They are always mentioned together as man and wife (Acts 18:2, 18, 26; 1Cor. 16:19; 2Tim. 4:19).

‘Epaenetus’ – mentioned only here, but he was perhaps of the house of Stephanas, which is also called the firstfruits of Achaia (1Cor. 16:15).

‘Mary, who bestowed much labour on us’ – who she was or what works she bestowed upon Paul we do not know.

‘Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen, and my fellow prisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me.’ These two were relatives of Paul and his fellow prisoners. They were noted disciples among the apostles and were Christians before Paul. Just when they were fellow prisoners with Paul is not known.

‘Amlias … ‘ – he next ten disciples are mentioned only here (16:8-12).

‘Herodion my kinsman’ – this is the third relative of Paul mentioned in this list (16:7, 11).

‘Rufus chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine’ – this is perhaps the one mentioned in Mark 15:21. His mother acted as a mother to Paul so they were very close.

‘Asyncritus, Phelgon, Hermas, Patrobas, Hermes …’ The ten persons in Romans 16:14-15 are mentioned only here. The Hermas here is not the one who wrote The Shepherd of Hermas in 120 A.D.

‘Julia’ – at least seven women are named in this chapter: Phebe (16:1), Priscilla (16:3), Mary (16:6), Tryphena, Tryphosa, Persis (16:12), Julia (16:15); and mention is made of an unnamed sister of Nereus (16:15). All of them were Christian workers and deaconesses who “labour in the Lord” (16:12). This indicates that they laboured in the ministry of the Word.

‘Nereus’ – this man, named Nereus after the sea god of the Aegean, retained his heathen name.