Romans 16:1-9

 

Rom 16:1 (KJV)
I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea:

This verse is one of the most misused verses in Scripture by those who believe in the ordination of women. First of all, the word “servant” is the word “diakonon” “diakonon”. This word is in the masculine gender and means a servant. It has been mistranslated to be used by those who believe that women can be ordained as deacons in the church. (1 Tim 3:11-12 KJV) Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things. {12} Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. In these two verses from 1 Timothy, they speak of the qualifications of Deacons. Notice that they are to be the husband of one wife and that their wives must be “grave” which carries with it the meaning of “dignified, honorable, and sincere.” How then can a woman be the husband of one wife and their wives must be grave? So those who twist this Scripture because of their failure to interpret it correctly have led many astray believing that women can be ordained to church office. Paul is simply stating that Phebe was a sister who was also a servant at the church at Cenchrea. There is absolutely no indicators that she held any office in the church. Paul was just giving her a commendation to the Roman Christians.

Rom 16:2 (KJV)
That ye receive her in the Lord, as becometh saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you: for she hath been a succourer of many, and of myself also.

Paul is asking that the Roman Christians receive her in the faith and that they assist her in the matters she has to do with. Paul then states that she has been a “succourer” for many, that is, she had been a helper in their church. Paul also tells them that she had also helped him when he needed it. It was Phebe who carried the letter to the Roman church for Paul.

Rom 16:3 (KJV)
Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus:

Priscilla and Aquila were the couple which had helped counsel Apollos in his understanding of the gospel. Paul referred to them as his helpers. The word “helpers” carries with it the meaning of “fellow workers.”

Rom 16:4 (KJV)
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.

It is not known how this couple had helped save Paul’s life but he mentions their heroism in that area. He not only thanks them but he also thanks all the churches of the Gentiles. As we read in many of Paul’s letters how the churches that he helped, had also helped him greatly in his mission work.

Rom 16:5 (KJV)
Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Salute my wellbeloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia unto Christ.

Paul also sends greetings to the church which met in the house of Priscilla and Aquila. Here is good principle that if you do not have a church in your area, then open up your house for a meeting place and the Lord will supply the teacher if you are not one yourself. Paul also greets Epaenetus who according to this Scripture was the first one saved in Achaia. His name means “laudable or worthy of praise.”

Rom 16:6 (KJV)
Greet Mary, who bestowed much labour on us.

This Mary is one of the six named Mary in the New Testament and we do not know who she was but we do know that she labored for the purpose of the Gospel and for Paul’s missionary journeys, and for that she has her name in the eternal word of the Lord.

Rom 16:7 (KJV)
Salute Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen, and my fellowprisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me.

Paul greets Andronicus and Junia, both of these must have spent time in prison with the Apostle Paul or either they were in prison prior to meeting Paul since he states that they were Christians before he became one. They must have also met some of the Apostles since they were of note. The word “note” carries with it the meaning of “outstanding or notable.” It is not known what they did but they apparently had a good report by some of the Apostles of Christ.

Rom 16:8 (KJV)
Greet Amplias my beloved in the Lord.

Amplias may have been a slave in a high ranking family in Rome and it was believed that he also held some type of position in the church.

Rom 16:9 (KJV)
Salute Urbane, our helper in Christ, and Stachys my beloved.

There is not much known about these two men but we can tell from this verse that they held a place in Paul’s heart by helping him in his ministry.