Chapter Sixteen
Rom. 16:1. I commend to you Phoebe, our sister, a deaconess of the church at Cenchreae.
The present epistle was delivered to the Romans by Phoebe. Therefore he also introduces her to them. He expresses his respect for her both by mentioning her in the first place, and by calling her a sister (this is a great dignity), and by indicating her office, naming her a deaconess.
Rom. 16:2. Receive her in the Lord, as is fitting for the saints.
That is, show her honor for the Lord's sake. He who receives even an insignificant person for the Lord's sake shows honor to the Lord; and Phoebe was a saint: consequently, all the more was it fitting to show her honor. Therefore he added: "as befits the saints," that is, as one ought to receive the saints.
Rom. 16:2. "and help her in whatever matter she may have need of you,"
That is, supply what you can, lend a helping hand; for he did not say: satisfy all her needs.
Rom. 16:2. For she was a helper of many and of myself as well.
First he praised, then in the middle he placed the exhortation, and finally he again set down praise, surrounding his exhortation on both sides—to show her honor. For she, he says, was a helper to many, even to me myself, the universal preacher, who endured so many sufferings.
Rom. 16:3. Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus.
They, he says, helped me in word and teaching and shared with me labors and dangers. Some supposed that these co-workers were Paul's helpers in tent-making (Acts 18:3).
Rom. 16:4. (who laid down their own necks for my life,
They were perfect martyrs, for under Nero there were innumerable dangers.
Rom. 16:4. "whom not I alone thank, but also all the churches of the Gentiles),
Here he hints at their hospitality. And lest they think he speaks out of flattery, he presents many other witnesses as well.
Rom. 16:5. and their house church.
So virtuous were they that all their household members became believers, for he called them a church. He also called them this on account of their hospitality, for a house is called a church when exemplary piety and virtue are found in it. Let those leading a married life understand that the marital union is no hindrance to virtue for them.
Rom. 16:5. Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia for Christ.
A great thing it is to be beloved of Paul, who knew how to love with discernment and not without reason. He calls Epaenetus a firstfruit either because he was the first to believe, becoming the beginning and the door to faith for all the people, or because he showed in himself greater piety, which is why it is said: "who is the firstfruit for Christ," that is, not in worldly things, but in that which pertains to Christ.
Rom. 16:6. Greet Mariam, who labored much for us.
He adorns a woman with labors for the truth. Mariam, he says, labored, kept vigil, and prayed not only for herself, but also, what is more important, fulfilled her duty even on behalf of us, the apostles. How then does he say, "but I do not permit a woman to teach" (1 Tim. 2:12)? He forbids her not from teaching by word, but from occupying a place of honor in the church and sitting on an elevated seat, while he very much approves of teaching at home. In this way a wife teaches her husband (1 Cor. 7:16) and children (1 Tim. 2:15); and Priscilla instructed Apollos in the faith (Acts 18:26). He did not say "she taught much," but "she labored much," in order to show that Mariam served by providing money and other means.
Rom. 16:7. Greet Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen and my fellow prisoners, who are distinguished among the Apostles and who believed in Christ even before me.
That they are kinsmen of Paul, this does not constitute as great a praise as the fact that they are fellow prisoners with him; for they suffered far more than any prisoner, being dragged from place to place and plundered. It is also significant to be an apostle, especially if one considers that Junia was a woman: all the more significant then to be notable among the apostles. And they were renowned for their deeds. Paul is not ashamed to say, "who were in Christ before me," counting it as praise for them that they went ahead and seized the good before him.
Rom. 16:8. Greet Amplias, my beloved in the Lord.
If it is considered a great thing to be loved by a king, how much more glorious is it to be loved by Paul, who loves for the sake of virtue and for God?