Romans 16 10

Romans 16:10 kjv

Salute Apelles approved in Christ. Salute them which are of Aristobulus' household.

Romans 16:10 nkjv

Greet Apelles, approved in Christ. Greet those who are of the household of Aristobulus.

Romans 16:10 niv

Greet Apelles, whose fidelity to Christ has stood the test. Greet those who belong to the household of Aristobulus.

Romans 16:10 esv

Greet Apelles, who is approved in Christ. Greet those who belong to the family of Aristobulus.

Romans 16:10 nlt

Greet Apelles, a good man whom Christ approves. And give my greetings to the believers from the household of Aristobulus.

Romans 16 verses

Romans 16 10 Meaning

Romans 16:10 conveys Paul's personal greetings to specific individuals and their associates within the Roman church, emphasizing their identity and association within the Christian community. He singles out Apelles as "approved in Christ," signifying a person of tested and proven faith and character. The verse then extends greetings to "those who are of the household of Aristobulus," indicating a group of believers connected to or comprising a segment of a larger, likely prominent, Roman household. This highlights the early church's diverse social reach and the communal nature of faith, extending even into specific households which may have included servants, freedmen, or family members.

Romans 16 10 Context

Romans 16:10 is embedded within the concluding chapter of Paul's letter to the Romans, specifically in a long list of personal greetings (Rom 16:3-16). This section is more than a mere courtesy; it serves several purposes:

1. Reinforcing Unity: It demonstrates the widespread network of relationships Paul has with the believers in Rome, despite never having visited them before. This fosters a sense of unity between Paul and the Roman church, mitigating potential distrust.
2. Affirming Individual Value: By naming so many individuals, Paul underscores that each member of the community is known, valued, and important within the body of Christ.
3. Illustrating Diversity: The names (including women, slaves, and potentially high-status individuals) reflect the diverse socio-economic, ethnic, and gender makeup of the early Christian movement.
4. Practical Application: These greetings serve as commendations and endorsements, particularly useful in a context where itinerant teachers and false apostles were common. Paul vouches for the character and faith of these individuals.

Historically and culturally, "household" (οἰκία - oikia or οἶκος - oikos) in the Roman world often extended beyond immediate family to include servants, slaves, freedmen, and other dependents. Early Christian gatherings frequently took place in such house-churches. The mention of "the household of Aristobulus" likely points to a group of believers associated with a wealthy or influential Aristobulus (who may or may not have been a Christian himself, or even alive), signifying the gospel's penetration into all levels of Roman society, even possibly among the imperial family or their retinue, as "Aristobulus" was a known name in the Herodian dynasty. This would subtly counter the pagan notion that Christianity was only for the marginalized or lower classes, revealing its appeal across the social spectrum.

Romans 16 10 Word analysis

• Greet (Ἀσπάσασθε - Aspasasthai):

  • Meaning: To salute, welcome, embrace, pay respects. It's an imperative verb, a command to the recipients of the letter (likely Phoebe or the leaders reading it aloud) to extend warm and personal greetings.
  • Significance: It signifies fellowship, recognition, and unity within the Christian community, affirming shared faith and mutual regard.
  • Linguistic Note: Paul frequently uses this term in his conclusions, indicating its importance in Christian social interactions.

• Apelles (Ἀπελλῆν - Apellēn):

  • Meaning: A common Greek or Roman name, not providing much specific insight beyond identification. Possibly diminutive of Apollo.
  • Significance: Identifies a specific individual in the Roman church, highlighting the personal nature of Paul's relationships even from afar.

• approved (τὸν δόκιμον - ton dokimon):

  • Meaning: Gk. dokimos, meaning "tested, tried, proved, genuine, accepted, approved." It contrasts with adokimos (disqualified, disapproved).
  • Significance: Apelles was not just a believer, but his faith had undergone a trial or examination and was found to be true, genuine, and reliable. This approval might refer to his character, steadfastness, service, or orthodoxy in Christ. It's a high commendation, denoting spiritual maturity and integrity, having endured scrutiny and emerged trustworthy in his commitment to Christ. This suggests a recognized status of faithfulness among the Roman believers.

• in Christ (ἐν Χριστῷ - en Christō):

  • Meaning: "In Christ" is a profoundly theological phrase foundational to Paul's theology. It describes the believer's new sphere of existence, their spiritual union and identification with Jesus Christ. It encompasses justification, sanctification, and eternal life.
  • Significance: Apelles' "approved" status is not based on human merit alone but on his integral relationship with Christ. His testing and genuineness are understood within the context of his spiritual life and identity united with Christ. It places his approval firmly in the realm of his transformed spiritual state and participation in God's saving work.

• those who are of (τοὺς ἐκ τῶν - tous ek tōn):

  • Meaning: "Those who are from/out of/belonging to." The Greek preposition ek signifies origin, belonging, or close association.
  • Significance: This phrasing implies a group of people directly associated with, or forming part of, Aristobulus's larger household structure. It does not necessarily include Aristobulus himself, or require that he was a believer. This is key because it distinguishes them from him, if he was not a Christian, and focuses on the believers within his sphere of influence.

• the household of Aristobulus (Ἀριστοβούλου - Aristoboulou):

  • Meaning: "Household" (oikos or oikia) here refers to an extended family, including slaves, freedmen, and other dependents. Aristobulus is another personal name.
  • Significance: The gospel had penetrated influential or aristocratic Roman households. Aristobulus might have been a wealthy or well-connected patron. Scholars often associate this Aristobulus with the grandson of Herod the Great, or a member of the imperial household (often called Caesar's household). Paul's greeting suggests that within such prominent, likely pagan, households, there were nevertheless believers who had formed a recognizable Christian community. This highlights the transformative power of the gospel to reach diverse social strata.

Romans 16 10 Bonus section

• Apelles' Recognition: The specific praise for Apelles ("approved in Christ") distinguishes him from others in the list. While all listed believers were known to Paul, this specific descriptor highlights a particular level of spiritual maturity or service that Apelles embodied, possibly as a respected leader or a steadfast witness under pressure. Such commendations were not given lightly and served to validate a person's ministry and character within the broader Christian community.
• The Household Phenomenon: The practice of referring to "the household of X" demonstrates how Christianity often spread through existing social structures. These households, which were central units of Roman society, frequently served as loci for early house churches. For believers within a prominent, non-Christian household, their faith often required discretion and steadfastness in an environment potentially hostile or indifferent to their beliefs. The gospel's penetration into such structures also provided access to diverse skill sets, resources, and influence for the burgeoning Christian movement.
• Implied Message for Roman Believers: For the Roman church receiving this letter, these greetings served to build community and identity. Knowing that Paul valued individuals like Apelles and specific groups like those from Aristobulus's household would encourage them to foster relationships, recognize leaders, and extend fellowship across internal distinctions within their own church context. It implicitly calls for mutual respect and acknowledgment of the diverse contributions within the body of Christ.

Romans 16 10 Commentary

Romans 16:10 provides a glimpse into the diverse and socially intricate fabric of the early Roman church. Paul's commendation of Apelles as "approved in Christ" is a high honor, indicating that Apelles' faith, character, or service had been rigorously tested and found genuine. This underscores the early church's emphasis on true discipleship that stands the test of time and trial, rooted in an authentic relationship with Christ. It reminds believers that true worth in God's kingdom is measured not by worldly status but by a proven walk with Christ. The greeting to "those who are of the household of Aristobulus" illustrates the spread of the gospel into hierarchical Roman society. Even if Aristobulus himself was not a believer (a possibility implied by the specific phrasing "those who are of the household," rather than "Aristobulus and his household"), the presence of believers within his sphere attests to the transformative power of Christ transcending social boundaries and finding disciples among both free and slave, rich and poor, high and low. This reveals the early church's unique ability to form community across deeply stratified societal divides, fostering unity "in Christ" where none would naturally exist.