CONTENTS.
In this concluding chapter, Paul first commends to the church at Rome the deaconess Phebe, vs. 1, 2. He then sends his salutations to many members of the church, and other Christians who were then at Rome, vs. 3—16. He earnestly exhorts his brethren to avoid those who cause contentions; and after commending their obedience, he prays for God’s blessing upon them, vs. 17—21. Salutations from the apostle’s companions, vs. 22—24. The concluding doxology, vs. 25—27.
ROMANS XVI. 1—27.
COMMENTARY.
VERSE 1. I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea. Phebe, from Phœbus, (Apollo.) The early Christians retained their names, although they were derived from the names of false gods, because they had lost all religious significance and reference. In like manner we retain the use of the names of the days of the week, without ever thinking of their derivation. Corinth, being situated on a narrow isthmus, had two ports, one towards Europe, and the other towards Asia. The latter was called Cenchrea, where a church had been organized, of which Phebe was a servant (διάκονος,) i. e., deaconess. It appears that in the apostolic church, elderly females were selected to attend upon the poor and sick of their own sex. Many ecclesiastical writers suppose there were two classes of these female officers; the one (πρεσβύτιδες, corresponding in some measure in their duties to the elders,) having the oversight of the conduct of the younger female Christians; and the other, whose duty was to attend to the sick and the poor. See Suicer’s Thesaurus, under the word διάκονος; Bingham’s Ecclesiastical Antiquities, 11, 12; Augusti’s Denkwürdigkeiten der christl. Archäologie.
VERSE 2. That ye receive her in the Lord. The words in the Lord, may be connected either with receive, ‘receive her in a religious manner, and from religious motives;’ or with the pronoun, her in the Lord, her as a Christian. The apostle presents two considerations to enforce this exhortation; first, regard for their Christian character; and, secondly, the service which Phebe had rendered to others. As becometh saints; this expression at once describes the manner, in which they ought to receive her, and suggests the motive for so doing. The words ἀξίως τῶν ἁγίων may mean, ‘as it becomes Christians to receive their brethren,’ or, ‘sicut sanctos excipi oportet, as saints ought to be received.’ In the former case, ἁγίων (saints) are those who received, and in the latter, those who are received. And that ye assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you. They were not only to receive her with courtesy and affection, but to aid her in any way in which she required their assistance. The words (ἐν ᾧ ἄν πράγματι) in whatsoever business, are to be taken very generally, in whatever matter, or in whatever respect. For she hath been a succourer of many, and of myself also. The word (προστάτις) succourer, means a patroness, a benefactor; it is a highly honorable title. As she had so frequently aided others, it was but reasonable that she should be assisted.
VERSE 3. Salute Priscilla1 and Aquila, my helpers in Christ Jesus, i. e., my fellow labourers in the promotion of the gospel. Priscilla is the diminutive form of Prisca; compare Livia and Livilla, Drusa and Drusilla, Quinta and Quintilla, Secunda and Secundilla. Grotius. Aquila and Priscilla are mentioned in Acts xviii. 2, as having left Rome in consequence of the edict of Claudius. After remaining at Ephesus a long time, it seems that they had returned to Rome, and were there when Paul wrote this letter; Acts xviii. 18, 26, 1 Cor. xvi. 19, 2 Tim. iv. 19.
VERSE 4. Who have for my life laid down their own necks, i. e., they exposed themselves to imminent peril to save me. On what occasion this was done, is not recorded. Unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles. Their courageous and disinterested conduct must have been generally known, and called forth the grateful acknowledgments of all the churches interested in the preservation of a life so precious as that of the apostle.