Romans Part 49 – Romans 16:3-16
Verse 3-6
• “vs 3” – Unlike Phebe, Priscilla and Aquila are mentioned in other parts of scripture and were likely residents in Rome – Acts 18:1-3, 18-21, 24-26.
• “vs 4” – We do not have the details of this event but they helped Paul in the ministry.
• “Likewise greet the church that is in their house” – 1Cor 16:19 – Some say it was just their household and other say it was believers meeting there. It’s hard to believe there was one building in Rome that all believers went to worship and learn Gods word. A home church can be cheap, small, and secret.
• “Salute my well beloved Epaenetus” – This is the only mention of him in scripture
• “who was the firstfruits of Achaia” – Critical texts say “Asia” but most of the Middle East world in which the book of Acts took place was in Asia, so it would be hard to believe that Epaenetus was the very first one. Paul also mentions Achaia in Acts 15:26 and he doesn’t go to Achaia until Acts 18:12. Also note that he is part of the firstfruits, not firstfruit and could have been part of the house of Stephanas – 1Cor 16:15
• “Vs 6” – We do not know anything about this Mary other than what is written here.
Verse 7
• “Salute Andronicus and Junia” – We know nothing except what is written here.
• “My kinsmen and my fellow prisoners who are of note among the apostles” – They were most certainly Jews possibly similar to a Barnabas – Act 4:36-37.
• “who also were in Christ before me” – This is one of those verses that will be used to “disprove” Paul’s special ministry, gospel, dispensation. How can we say Paul is the first if there were people in Christ before him? Gal 1:22.
• Paul was given the mystery of Gods will that “all things” would be in Christ, both in heaven and on earth. – Eph 1:10. Prophecy = Earth/Israel. Mystery = Heaven/Body of Christ.
• Prophets spoke of Israel being justified “in the Lord” – Isaiah 45:17,24-25.
• Jesus taught to abide in him – John 6:56, John 14:20, 15:1-7, 17:21-23. But no one in MML&J were trusting in the finished work of Christ – Luke 18:31-34. They were keeping his commandments – 1John 2:6, 3:24, 4:13-15
• Being in Christ had to do with having the Spirit, in this dispensation and before – Prophecy - 1John 4:12, Mystery - Rom 8:9-11.
• Eternal life is found “In Christ” – 2Tim 1:1, 1John 5:11-13.
• We are in Christ as a new creature – 2Cor 5:17, Col 3:10-11, Eph 2:15-16.
•All things in Christ - Prophecy speaks of Israel being one nation, in Christ, reigning on earth. Mystery speaks of one body, in Christ, dwelling in heavenly places.
Verse 8-16
• “vs 8-15” – Paul gives these credentials so that those in Rome know who to trust and honor
• Both men and women – vs 15.
• You see the term “brethren/saints with them” and “Those that be of their household” – This gives more evidence to small house churches in Rome.
• No names in vs 8-15 are mentioned anywhere else in scripture save Rufus in vs 13 – Mark 15:21.
We can not know if this is the same person.
• “vs 16” – In the church a Holy kiss represents friendship in the lord in the Eastern culture. Opposite of Joab and Judas – 2Sam 20:9, and Matt 26:49-50.
