ROM 16:1-16

Personal Greetings and Love

1Now I commend to you Phoebe, our sister, being also a servant of the church in Cenchreae, [16:2] that you may receive her in the Lord worthily of the saints, and assist her in whatever matter she may need of you — for she herself has been a patroness of many, and of me myself. [16:3] Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, [16:4] who for my life laid down their own neck, to whom not I only give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles — [16:5] and the church at their house. Greet Epenetus, my beloved, who is a firstfruit of Asia for Christ. [16:6] Greet Mary, who toiled much for you. [16:7] Greet Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen and my fellow prisoners, who are of note among the apostles, and who were in Christ before me. [16:8] Greet Ampliatus, my beloved in the Lord. [16:9] Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in Christ, and Stachys, my beloved. [16:10] Greet Apelles, the approved in Christ. Greet those of the household of Aristobulus. [16:11] Greet Herodion, my kinsman. Greet those of the household of Narcissus who are in the Lord. [16:12] Greet Tryphena and Tryphosa, those toiling in the Lord. Greet Persis, the beloved, who toiled much in the Lord. [16:13] Greet Rufus, the chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine. [16:14] Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the brothers with them. [16:15] Greet Philologus and Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints with them. [16:16] Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ greet you.

In the world it was spoken into

In the Roman world, patronage was a cornerstone of social and economic life. Phoebe, described as a (servant/deacon) of the church in Cenchreae and a (patroness), would have been recognized as a woman of significant social standing and influence. Her role as a patroness meant she provided financial and social support, likely to Paul and others in the Christian community. The mention of Prisca and Aquila, who risked their lives for Paul, underscores the deep bonds of loyalty and mutual support within the early Christian network. Their household church reflects the common practice of meeting in private homes, which were central hubs for worship and fellowship. The greeting of Andronicus and Junia as (outstanding) among the apostles highlights their prominence and respect within the early church. These greetings reflect the interconnectedness and mutual dependence of the early Christian communities, rooted in Roman social structures of patronage and kinship.

›See the receipts

How other translations render this

ROM 16:1

KJV: I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea:
BSB: I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant of the church in Cenchrea.
Koinōnos: Now I commend to you Phoebe, our sister, being also a servant of the church in Cenchreae,

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.
BSB: Welcome her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints, and assist her with anything she may need from you. For she has been a great help to many people, including me.
Koinōnos: that you may receive her in the Lord worthily of the saints, and assist her in whatever matter she may need of you — for she herself has been a patroness of many, and of me myself.

ROM 16:3

KJV: Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus:
BSB: Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus,
Koinōnos: Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus,

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.
BSB: who have risked their lives for me. Not only I but all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them.
Koinōnos: who for my life laid down their own neck, to whom not I only give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles —

ROM 16:5

KJV: Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Salute my well-beloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia unto Christ.
BSB: Greet also the church that meets at their house. Greet my beloved Epenetus, who was the first convert to Christ in the province of Asia.
Koinōnos: and the church at their house. Greet Epenetus, my beloved, who is a firstfruit of Asia for Christ.

ROM 16:6

KJV: Greet Mary, who bestowed much labour on us.
BSB: Greet Mary, who has worked very hard for you.
Koinōnos: Greet Mary, who toiled much for you.

ROM 16:7

KJV: Salute Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen, and my fellow-prisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me.
BSB: Greet Andronicus and Junia, my fellow countrymen and fellow prisoners. They are outstanding among the apostles, and they were in Christ before I was.
Koinōnos: Greet Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen and my fellow prisoners, who are of note among the apostles, and who were in Christ before me.

ROM 16:8

KJV: Greet Amplias my beloved in the Lord.
BSB: Greet Ampliatus, my beloved in the Lord.
Koinōnos: Greet Ampliatus, my beloved in the Lord.

ROM 16:9

KJV: Salute Urbane, our helper in Christ, and Stachys my beloved.
BSB: Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in Christ, and my beloved Stachys.
Koinōnos: Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in Christ, and Stachys, my beloved.

ROM 16:10

KJV: Salute Apelles approved in Christ. Salute them which are of Aristobulus’ household.
BSB: Greet Apelles, who is approved in Christ. Greet those who belong to the household of Aristobulus.
Koinōnos: Greet Apelles, the approved in Christ. Greet those of the household of Aristobulus.

ROM 16:11

KJV: Salute Herodion my kinsman. Greet them that be of the household of Narcissus, which are in the Lord.
BSB: Greet Herodion, my fellow countryman. Greet those from the household of Narcissus who are in the Lord.
Koinōnos: Greet Herodion, my kinsman. Greet those of the household of Narcissus who are in the Lord.

ROM 16:12

KJV: Salute Tryphena and Tryphosa, who labour in the Lord. Salute the beloved Persis, which laboured much in the Lord.
BSB: Greet Tryphena and Tryphosa, women who have worked hard in the Lord. Greet my beloved Persis, who has worked very hard in the Lord.
Koinōnos: Greet Tryphena and Tryphosa, those toiling in the Lord. Greet Persis, the beloved, who toiled much in the Lord.

ROM 16:13

KJV: Salute Rufus chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine.
BSB: Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord, and his mother, who has been a mother to me as well.
Koinōnos: Greet Rufus, the chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine.

ROM 16:14

KJV: Salute Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermas, Patrobas, Hermes, and the brethren which are with them.
BSB: Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the brothers with them.
Koinōnos: Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the brothers with them.

ROM 16:15

KJV: Salute Philologus, and Julia, Nereus, and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints which are with them.
BSB: Greet Philologus and Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas and all the saints with them.
Koinōnos: Greet Philologus and Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints with them.

ROM 16:16

KJV: Salute one another with an holy kiss. The churches of Christ salute you.
BSB: Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ send you greetings.
Koinōnos: Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ greet you.

Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.

Translator's notes

ROM 16:1

a servant:The word translated 'a servant' here often referred to a minister or deacon, someone who actively served others, particularly in a religious or public capacity, rather than a household slave.

ROM 16:2

a patroness:The term 'a patroness' indicates a woman of means and influence who provided financial support, protection, and social standing to others, often in a significant and public way.

ROM 16:7

kinsmen:The word translated 'kinsmen' refers to those related by blood or family, emphasizing a close familial connection rather than just a general acquaintance.
of note:The phrase 'of note' comes from a word that means prominent or distinguished, often referring to someone who stands out or is well-known, sometimes even marked for distinction.