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Romans 16:5
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David Servant
Selwyn Hughes
Greg HerrickSummary
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- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
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, Mat 16:28 (note). Epenetus - the first fruits of Achaia - In Co1 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 the family of Stephanas; for it is not said that Stephanas was the first fruits, but his house or family; and there can be no impropriety in supposing that one of that house or family was called Epenetus; and that this person, being the only one of the family now at Rome, might be mentioned as the first fruits of Achaia; that is, one of that family which first received the Gospel in that country. This would rationally account for the apparent difficulty, were we sure that Αχαιας, of Achaia, was the true reading: but this is more than doubtful, for Ασιας, of Asia, is the reading of ABCDEFG, some others; the Coptic, Ethiopic, Armenian, Vulgate, and Itala; and some of the chief of the fathers. On this evidence Griesbach has admitted it into the text. Yet the other reading is sufficiently natural, for the reasons already assigned.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
Likewise the church that is in their house--The Christian assembly that statedly met there for worship. "From his occupation as tent-maker, he had probably better accommodations for the meetings of the church than most other Christians" [HODGE]. 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 meetings with peculiar interest. Salute my well beloved EpÃ&brvbrnetus, who is the first-fruits--that is, the first convert of Achaia unto Christ--The true reading here, as appears by the manuscripts, is, "the first-fruits of Asia unto Christ"--that is, Proconsular Asia (see Act 16:6). In Co1 16:15 it is said that "the household of Stephanas was the first-fruit of Achaia"; and though if EpÃ&brvbrnetus was one of that family, the two statements might be reconciled according to the received text, there is no need to resort to this supposition, as that text is in this instance without authority. EpÃ&brvbrnetus, as the first believer in that region called Proconsular Asia, was dear to the apostle. (See Hos 9:10; Mic 7:1). None of the names mentioned from Rom 16:5-15 are otherwise known. One wonders at the number of them, considering that the writer had never been at Rome. But as Rome was then the center of the civilized world, to and from which journeys were continually taken to the remotest parts, there is no great difficulty in supposing that so active a travelling missionary as Paul would, in course of time, make the acquaintance of a considerable number of the Christians then residing at Rome.
John Gill Bible Commentary
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 Co1 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 particular affection; as our Lord, as man, had for his disciple John, though he loved all his disciples. There is one of this name, said to be one of the seventy disciples, and bishop of Carthage; See Gill on Luk 10:1. Who is the firstfruits of Achaia unto Christ; that is, either he was one of the chief and principal for gifts and grace, or one of the first that was converted to Christ in those parts: the allusion is to the firstfruits under the law, which were offered unto the Lord, and were pledges of, and sanctified the rest. The Vulgate Latin, instead of Achaia, reads "Asia": and so it is read in the Alexandrian copy, and others: the reason of this different reading seems to be, because the house of Stephanas are said to be the firstfruits of Achaia, Co1 16:15. But this hinders not but that Epaenetus might be so too, for he might be one of the family of Stephanas, who was now removed to Rome. If he was a Jew, his Jewish name might be Judah, the same with Epaenetus, in Greek.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
16:5 the church that meets in their home: Early Christians did not have large buildings for their meetings—they met in private homes. The church in Rome was composed of a number of house churches where small groups of believers gathered for worship and instruction.
Romans 16:5
Personal Greetings and Love
4who have risked their lives for me. Not only I but all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them. 5Greet also the church that meets at their house. Greet my beloved Epenetus, who was the first convert to Christ in the province of Asia.
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Pastoring With Less Pain, Part 2
By David Servant0MAT 18:20ACT 20:35ROM 16:5EPH 4:121TI 3:1David Servant preaches about the challenges pastors face in dealing with church members, emphasizing the importance of pastoring genuine sheep who are willing to be discipled and follow Jesus. He encourages pastors to purge their churches of 'goats' by preaching the truth and, if necessary, practicing biblical excommunication. David highlights the discrepancy between contemporary church structures and what Jesus intended for His church, urging pastors to consider restructuring their churches biblically to alleviate stress and burnout among pastors.
No Change - No Conversion
By Selwyn Hughes0MAT 18:3JHN 3:3ACT 3:19ACT 26:18ROM 16:52CO 5:17GAL 2:20EPH 4:221TH 1:9JAS 5:19Selwyn Hughes emphasizes the importance of spiritual conversion as the gateway to receiving divine forgiveness and eternal life. He highlights Jesus' words that being converted is essential to entering the kingdom of heaven, emphasizing that all other distinctions in society are insignificant compared to being either converted or unconverted. Hughes expresses sadness over the NIV translation of Matthew 18:3, preferring the more powerful imagery of being 'converted' rather than simply 'changing.' He defines conversion as the shift from the kingdom of self to the kingdom of God, emphasizing that true conversion involves a significant change in one's life.
The Church: "A Home Away From Home"
By Greg Herrick0MAT 28:18ACT 9:31ROM 16:51CO 1:11CO 12:12EPH 1:22EPH 2:19EPH 4:1EPH 5:25COL 1:28Greg Herrick preaches on the nature of the church, emphasizing its essential oneness as a spiritual entity composed of all true believers in Christ, regardless of different people groups. He explores various scriptural metaphors for the church, highlighting the imagery of the church as the body of Christ and the importance of love in exercising spiritual gifts. Herrick delves into the power and service of the church, discussing its mandate to equip members for holiness and effective service, as well as its mission to reach the world for Christ. He also touches on the marks of a true church, emphasizing the importance of biblical doctrine, sacraments, discipline, equipping members, and evangelism.
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
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, Mat 16:28 (note). Epenetus - the first fruits of Achaia - In Co1 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 the family of Stephanas; for it is not said that Stephanas was the first fruits, but his house or family; and there can be no impropriety in supposing that one of that house or family was called Epenetus; and that this person, being the only one of the family now at Rome, might be mentioned as the first fruits of Achaia; that is, one of that family which first received the Gospel in that country. This would rationally account for the apparent difficulty, were we sure that Αχαιας, of Achaia, was the true reading: but this is more than doubtful, for Ασιας, of Asia, is the reading of ABCDEFG, some others; the Coptic, Ethiopic, Armenian, Vulgate, and Itala; and some of the chief of the fathers. On this evidence Griesbach has admitted it into the text. Yet the other reading is sufficiently natural, for the reasons already assigned.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
Likewise the church that is in their house--The Christian assembly that statedly met there for worship. "From his occupation as tent-maker, he had probably better accommodations for the meetings of the church than most other Christians" [HODGE]. 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 meetings with peculiar interest. Salute my well beloved EpÃ&brvbrnetus, who is the first-fruits--that is, the first convert of Achaia unto Christ--The true reading here, as appears by the manuscripts, is, "the first-fruits of Asia unto Christ"--that is, Proconsular Asia (see Act 16:6). In Co1 16:15 it is said that "the household of Stephanas was the first-fruit of Achaia"; and though if EpÃ&brvbrnetus was one of that family, the two statements might be reconciled according to the received text, there is no need to resort to this supposition, as that text is in this instance without authority. EpÃ&brvbrnetus, as the first believer in that region called Proconsular Asia, was dear to the apostle. (See Hos 9:10; Mic 7:1). None of the names mentioned from Rom 16:5-15 are otherwise known. One wonders at the number of them, considering that the writer had never been at Rome. But as Rome was then the center of the civilized world, to and from which journeys were continually taken to the remotest parts, there is no great difficulty in supposing that so active a travelling missionary as Paul would, in course of time, make the acquaintance of a considerable number of the Christians then residing at Rome.
John Gill Bible Commentary
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 Co1 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 particular affection; as our Lord, as man, had for his disciple John, though he loved all his disciples. There is one of this name, said to be one of the seventy disciples, and bishop of Carthage; See Gill on Luk 10:1. Who is the firstfruits of Achaia unto Christ; that is, either he was one of the chief and principal for gifts and grace, or one of the first that was converted to Christ in those parts: the allusion is to the firstfruits under the law, which were offered unto the Lord, and were pledges of, and sanctified the rest. The Vulgate Latin, instead of Achaia, reads "Asia": and so it is read in the Alexandrian copy, and others: the reason of this different reading seems to be, because the house of Stephanas are said to be the firstfruits of Achaia, Co1 16:15. But this hinders not but that Epaenetus might be so too, for he might be one of the family of Stephanas, who was now removed to Rome. If he was a Jew, his Jewish name might be Judah, the same with Epaenetus, in Greek.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
16:5 the church that meets in their home: Early Christians did not have large buildings for their meetings—they met in private homes. The church in Rome was composed of a number of house churches where small groups of believers gathered for worship and instruction.