Romans 16

1. Cenchrea.** Properly Cenchreae the eastern seaport of Corinth, on the Saronic Gulf, about nine miles from the city. Here was a Christian church, of which Phœbe was an active member, attending upon those of her own sex in sickness and distress. It was probably she who carried the letter to Rome.

2 succourer. Properly, a patroness or protectress; a highly honourable title.

3. Greet.** The numerous salutations in this chapter show the apostle’s particular and affectionate remembrance of all whom he had known as fellow-Christians, and especially as fellow-labourers and fellow-sufferers for Christ. “Besides the two household groups of 10 f., the catalogue contains twenty-six names, eight being those of women. In language, seven are Latin, one is

Hebrew, the remainder Greek” (Peake’s Commentary).

4 laid down their own necks. Risking their lives for mine. This may have happened at Corinth (Acts xviii. 6), or at Ephesus (Acts xix. 30; 2 Cor. i. 8-10).

5 the church that is in their house. Aquila and Priscilla (or Prisca, 1 Cor. xvi. 19), and some other Christian householders (Col. iv. 15; Philem. 2), received in their own houses Christian assemblies, which seem to have formed distinct bodies, here called churches. These are probably alluded to in ver. 16.

Achala. Rather, “Asia,” according to the best authorities. Epænetus, of whom nothing more is known, was probably the first convert in proconsular Asia at the time of Paul’s visit (Acts xix.).

6. Mary.** The other women mentioned are Phœbe, Priscilla, Tryphena, Tryphosa, Persis, and Julia, and the mother of Rufus. The circumstances mentioned in connexion with them, show the important part which women took in the labours of the primitive Church.

7 my fellow-prisoners. When or how, is not stated: see 2 Cor. vi. 5; xi. 23.

who are of note among the apostles. Highly esteemed by the apostles. “Junia” should probably be “Junias,” a man’s name.

9. Urbane.** To be pronounced as a word of two syllables: a man’s name. Better, “Urban,” or “Urbanus,” as R.V.

13. Rufus.** Rufus was possibly the son of Simon of Cyrene (Mark xv. 21). The mother of this good man seems to have been “a mother,” by kind offices, to Paul.

16 with a holy kiss. This mode of salutation was usual in that age and country as it is still, between men as well as women, in most countries of Europe. The spirit of the command is, Treat one another with all Christian affection.

17 mark. That is, keep your eye upon them. Before finally closing the Epistle, the apostle reverts to one of his great objects, and again enjoins peace and harmony among the Jewish and Gentile believers.

18 serve . . . their own belly. The teachers of error and division sought to gratify either some bodily appetite, or the love of money or power.

good words and fair speeches. R.V., “smooth and fair speech”; “plausible and pious talk” (Moffatt).

simple. Or, “innocent”: see note on Matt. x. 16, where the same word is used.

20 shall bruise. See Gen. iii. 15. God, who is the God of peace and wants to give you His peace, will help you to defeat your greatest enemy, Satan.

The grace of our Lord, etc. The apostle apparently intended to conclude with this benediction; but other matters were suggested afterwards. The same thing occurs in other Epistles: see 1 Cor. xvi. 23, 24; Phil. iv. 20-23. The repeated benediction, ver. 24, is omitted by the best authorities.

21. Lucius.** Probably Lucius of Cyrene, mentioned in Acts xiii. 1.

Jason. Probably of Thessalonica; “Sosipater” (or Sopater) of Berea: see Acts xvii. 5.

22 i Tertius, who wrote this epistle. Paul appears to have seldom written his Epistles with his own hand; but he generally added the salutation or benediction at the close in his own writing: see 1 Cor. xvi. 21; 2 Thess. iii. 17; and especially Gal. vi. 11, with note.