Romans 16:5

Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Salute my wellbeloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia unto Christ. LIKEWISE GREET THE CHURCH THAT IS IN THEIR HOUSE - no doubt, the Christian assembly that statedly met there for worship. And it is natural to suppose, from his occupation as a tent-maker (Acts 18:3), that his premises would accommodate larger gatherings than those of most others. Probably this devoted couple had written to the apostle such an account of the stated meetings at their house as made him feel at home with them, and include them in this salutation, which doubtless would be read at their meeting with special interest. SALUTE MY [WELL] BELOVED EPENETUS, WHO IS THE FIRST-FRUITS (i:e., the first convert) OF ACHAIA UNTO CHRIST. But as this was not the fact, so n...

5._Who is the first-fruit, etc. _This is an allusion to the rites of the law; for as men are sanctified to God by faith, they who first offer themselves are fitly called the first-fruit. Whosoever then is called first in time to the faith, Paul allows him the prerogative of honor: yet he retains this eminence only when the end corresponds with the beginning. And doubtless it is no common honor when God chooses some for first-fruits: and there is in addition a greater and an ampler trial of faith, through a longer space of time, provided they who have first begun are not wearied in their course. (474)...

1-16 Paul recommends Phebe to the Christians at Rome. It becomes Christians to help one another in their affairs, especially strangers; we know not what help we may need ourselves. Paul asks help for one that had been helpful to many; he that watereth shall be watered also himself. Though the care of all the churches came upon him daily, yet he could remember many persons, and send salutations to each, with particular characters of them, and express concern for them. Lest any should feel themselves hurt, as if Paul had forgotten them, he sends his remembrances to the rest, as brethren and saints, though not named. He adds, in the close, a general salutation to them all, in the name of the churches of Christ....

Verse Romans 16:5. _THE CHURCH THAT IS IN THEIR HOUSE._] In these primitive times no such _places_ existed as those which we now term _churches_; the word always signifying the _congregation_ or _assembly_ of believers, and not the _place_ they assembled in. See the term defined at the end of the notes, Matthew 16:28. _EPENETUS-THE FIRST FRUITS OF ACHAIA_] In 1 Corinthians 16:15, the _house_ or family of _Stephanas_ is said to be the first fruits of Achaia: how then can it be said here, that _Epenetus_ was the first fruits, or first person who had received the Gospel in that district? _Ans_. - Epenetus might have been one of th

THE CHURCH THAT IS IN THEIR HOUSE - Aquila and Priscilla are mentioned Acts 18:26 as having received “Apollos” into their family, to instruct him more perfectly. The church in their house is also mentioned 1 Corinthians 16:19. This may mean either the church that was accustomed to assemble for worship at their hospitable mansion; or it may mean their own family with their guests, regarded as a “church.” In those times Christians had no houses erected for public worship, and were therefore compelled to meet in their private dwellings. SALUTE - The same word before translated “greet.” WHO IS THE FIRST-FRUITS - One who first embraced Christianity under my preaching in Achaia. The “fir

EXPOSITION ROMANS 16:1 K. _Commendation of Phoebe, and salutations to Christians at Rome._ ROMANS 16:1, ROMANS 16:2 I COMMEND UNTO YOU PHOEBE OUR SISTER (_i.e. _fellow-Christian), WHO IS A SERVANT OF THE CHURCH THAT IS IN CENCHREA: THAT YE RECEIVE HER IN THE LORD, WORTHILY OF THE SAINTS, AND ASSIST HER (παραστῆτε_, _literally, _stand by her_)_ _IN WHATSOEVER BUSINESS SHE HATH NEED OF YOU: FOR SHE TOO HATH BEEN A SUCCOURER (προστάτις_, _corresponding to παραστῆτε)_ _OF MANY, AND OF MINE OWN SELF. This Phoebe wa

LIKEWISE GREET THE CHURCH THAT IS IN THEIR HOUSE,.... Which was either their own family, which might be somewhat large, and consisting entirely or chiefly of religious persons; for when they were in other places they had a church in their house as well as Rome; see 1 Corinthians 16:19; or the saints at Rome, who used to meet privately at their house, and pray and sing praises together, speak to one another of the things of God, and build up one another in their most faith; and from their gathering together in the name of Christ, and for the worship of him, and among whom his presence, according to his promise, was, they are called a church, or an assembly of Christians. SALUTE MY WELL BELOVED EPAENETUS; for though all the saints were beloved by the apostle, yet there were some, as this good man, for whom he might have, on some account or another, a particula

CHAPTER 16 _ 1. Greetings to Individuals. (Romans 16:1 .)_ 2. Warning and Comfort. (Romans 16:17 .) 3. The Final Salutations. (Romans 16:21 .) 4. The Conclusion. (Romans 16:25 .) Romans 16:1 Phoebe (which means “radiant”) is first mentioned. She was probably a person of great influence and wealth, for she had been a succorer of many, including the Apostle. She is heartily commended to the assembly in Rome, to be received in the Lord, worthily of the Saints. Then that interesting pair of fellow workers of

PERSONAL GREETINGS. Beside the two household groups of Romans 16:10 f., the catalogue contains twenty-six names, eight being those of women. Many of the names appearing were commonly borne by slaves. In language, seven are Latin, one is Hebrew, the remainder Greek: Rome at this date swarmed with Greeks, and the Roman Church remained of Greek speech till the third century. The distribution seems to indicate different centres of meeting in this immense city. 14 and 15 (all Gentile names) furnish distinct groups: the collocation suggests that the names of Romans 16:5 _b_ - Romans 16:13 count amongst the church in the house of Prisca and Aquila (R

A LETTER OF COMMENDATION (Romans 16:1-2)...