1.
I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea:
Verse 1
A servant of the church. A class of female officers is supposed to have existed in the early Christian church. The name here translated servant corresponds to the word deaconess.--Cenchrea. This was the eastern port of Corinth,--that is, the one communicating with the Egean Sea,--and was at a distance of a few miles from the city. The mention of Phebe as the bearer of the Epistle, confirms the supposition that this Epistle was written while Paul was at Corinth.
2.
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.
3.
Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus:
4.
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.
Verse 4
Laid down their own necks; exposed themselves to the most imminent dangers.
5.
Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Salute my wellbeloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia unto Christ.
Verse 5
The church that is in their house. It is uncertain whether this is to be understood as referring to the Christian members of their family, or to a religious assembly accustomed to convene in their house. A similar expression is used in connection with them in 1 Corinthians 16:19.--The first fruits of Achaia. The first convert from Achaia.
6.
Greet Mary, who bestowed much labour on us.
7.
Salute Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen, and my fellowprisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me.
Verse 7
My kinsmen; meaning, perhaps his fellow-countrymen.--Fellow-prisoners. They had been joined with him at some one of the numerous occasions on which Paul had been imprisoned.
8.
Greet Amplias my beloved in the Lord.
9.
Salute Urbane, our helper in Christ, and Stachys my beloved.
10.
Salute Apelles approved in Christ. Salute them which are of Aristobulus' household.
11.
Salute Herodion my kinsman. Greet them that be of the household of Narcissus, which are in the Lord.
12.
Salute Tryphena and Tryphosa, who labour in the Lord. Salute the beloved Persis, which laboured much in the Lord.
13.
Salute Rufus chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine.
Verse 13
His mother and mine; intimating that she had been a mother to him in kindness and regard.
14.
Salute Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermas, Patrobas, Hermes, and the brethren which are with them.
15.
Salute Philologus, and Julia, Nereus, and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints which are with them.
16.
Salute one another with an holy kiss. The churches of Christ salute you.
17.
Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.
18.
For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.
Verse 18
Their own belly; their own earthly and carnal propensities.
19.
For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil.
20.
And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.
21.
Timotheus my workfellow, and Lucius, and Jason, and Sosipater, my kinsmen, salute you.
Verse 21
Timotheus; Timothy, who was at this time Paul's companion, as appears from Acts 20:4.--Lucius; probably Luke, the author of one of the Gospels, and of the book of the Acts, who includes himself in Paul's company at this time in narrating his history. (Acts 20:5.) There was, however, another Lucius, a Cyrenian, mentioned Acts 13:1.
22.
I Tertius, who wrote this epistle, salute you in the Lord.
Verse 22
Who wrote this epistle; at Paul's dictation. The forms of the letters, and the nature of the writing materials, employed in ancient times, made writing much more laborious then, than it is now. Paul seems generally to have employed an amanuensis.
23.
Gaius mine host, and of the whole church, saluteth you. Erastus the chamberlain of the city saluteth you, and Quartus a brother.
Verse 23
Mine host; at Corinth. For some further account of Gaius, see 1 Corinthians 1:14. The 3 John 1:1 was addressed to an individual of this name.--The chamberlain; the treasurer.
Written to the Romans, &c. Many of the Epistles have notes of this sort appended to them, evidently by a later hand, as of course they could not have originally formed a part of the Epistle. When and by whom they were added, is not known. They are not considered as forming a part of, the inspired volume, and are, accordingly, sometimes omitted.
24.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
25.
Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,
26.
But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:
27.
To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen.