Some friends to greet (vv. 1-16). He began with Phebe, a member of the church at Cenchrea and the woman who carried the letter to the saints at Rome. Never did a messenger carry a more important letter. Cenchrea was the seaport of Corinth, so Phebe was probably won to Christ during Paul’s year and a half of ministry in Corinth. The word translated servant is the feminine of deacon, and some students believe she was a “deaconess” in the church. This is possible, because there were women in the early church who served by visiting the sick, assisting the young women, and helping the poor. Paul confessed that Phebe had been a helper (literally “protectress”) of himself and other Christians. And he encouraged the church to care for her.
How we wish we had the details of the stories behind each of these names. We have met Priscilla and Aquila in the book of Acts (18:1-3, 18-19, 26). Where and when they risked their lives for Paul, we do not know, but we are glad they did it (see also 1 Cor. 16:19; 2 Tim 4:19). At the time of Paul’s writing, they were in Rome and a church met in their house. In this chapter, Paul greeted a number of such assemblies (Rom. 16:10-11, 14-15).
Four persons are called “beloved” by Paul: Epaenetus (Rom. 16:5), Amplias (Rom. 16:8), Stachys (Rom. 16:9), and Persis (Rom. 16:12). Paul would remember Epaenetus in particular, for he was the first of the converts in Asia. Apparently he belonged to the household of Stephanas, for in 1 Corinthians 16:15 these people are also called “the firstfruits of Achaia.”
Andronicus and Junias are called “kinsmen,” which may mean blood relatives of Paul, or only that they too were Jewish, possibly of the tribe of Benjamin like Paul. At one time they had been in prison with Paul. The word apostle here does not imply that they held the same office as Paul, but rather that they were “messengers” of the Lord. The word apostle has both a narrow and a broad meaning.
The Rufus mentioned in Romans 16:13 may be the same as the one named in Mark 15:21, but we cannot be certain. If so, then Simon’s experience at Calvary led to his conversion and that of his household. Paul and Rufus were not related. “His mother and mine” means only that Rufus’s mother had been like a mother to Paul (see Mark 10:30).
This list shows the parts that people played in Paul’s ministry and the ministry of the churches. Phebe was a “succourer” of many. Priscilla and Aquila were “helpers” and “laid down their own necks” for Paul. The conversion of Epaenetus led to the salvation of others in Asia. Mary “bestowed much labour.” Andronicus and Junias went to prison with Paul. One can only give thanks for these devoted saints who fulfilled their ministries to the glory of God. May we follow in their train!