Romans 16 6

Romans 16:6 kjv

Greet Mary, who bestowed much labour on us.

Romans 16:6 nkjv

Greet Mary, who labored much for us.

Romans 16:6 niv

Greet Mary, who worked very hard for you.

Romans 16:6 esv

Greet Mary, who has worked hard for you.

Romans 16:6 nlt

Give my greetings to Mary, who has worked so hard for your benefit.

Romans 16 verses

Romans 16 6 Meaning

Romans 16:6 is an exhortation from the Apostle Paul to the Roman believers to greet Mary, commending her for her exceptional and arduous service. This verse highlights the significance of individual contribution within the early Christian community, particularly acknowledging the laborious and self-sacrificial efforts of women in the spread and support of the Gospel. It underscores that diligent work for the sake of other believers is seen, valued, and deserves recognition within the fellowship of Christ.

Romans 16 6 Context

Romans chapter 16 serves as Paul's concluding remarks to his monumental letter to the Roman believers. After profoundly exploring deep theological doctrines of justification, sanctification, and God's plan for Israel, Paul shifts to personal greetings and practical exhortations. This final chapter functions as a bridge between theology and life, emphasizing the organic, communal nature of early Christianity. It lists an impressive array of individuals, both men and women, involved in the Roman church, many of whom Paul had encountered or was familiar with. This social tapestry reveals the collaborative effort required for the gospel's spread and maintenance, as well as the deeply relational aspect of Paul's ministry. Against a backdrop where women's public roles were often limited in Roman society, Paul consistently acknowledges women by name for their significant contributions and labor in the church (e.g., Phoebe, Priscilla, Junia, Tryphena, Tryphosa, Persis, and Mary). Thus, Romans 16:6 is not merely a polite formality but a specific commendation of an individual's strenuous effort, fitting into Paul's pattern of affirming active and dedicated participants in the Christian fellowship.

Romans 16 6 Word analysis

• Greet (ἀσπάσασθε - aspasashte):

  • This is an imperative verb, a direct command from Paul. It signifies more than a casual "hello"; it denotes an act of embracing, acknowledging, and welcoming someone warmly into the community.
  • It expresses genuine affection, respect, and a communal bond among believers, demonstrating that even a far-off apostle desired these personal connections.

• Mary (Μαριάμ - Mariam):

  • This name is of Hebrew origin (Miriam) and was exceedingly common in the first-century Roman Empire, making it impossible to definitively identify her with other biblical Marys.
  • Her specific identity remains somewhat anonymous, allowing her to represent many unsung, yet crucial, workers in the early church.
  • The mention signifies the value placed on individual members, even those without prominent leadership titles, if their work was noteworthy.

• who has worked (ἥτις πολλὰ ἐκοπίασεν - hētis polla ekopiasen):

  • ἥτις (hētis): This relative pronoun emphasizes the kind or quality of person, underscoring that she is defined by her labor.
  • πολλὰ (polla): An adverbial use meaning "much" or "many things," intensifying the extent of her effort. It conveys not just work, but extensive work.
  • ἐκοπίασεν (ekopiasen): From the Greek verb κοπιάω (kopiáō), which means "to toil," "to labor to the point of exhaustion or weariness," or "to strive with strenuous effort." It denotes physically demanding and often wearying work. This term is often used by Paul to describe his own strenuous gospel ministry (e.g., 1 Cor 15:10, Gal 4:11) and indicates serious, dedicated service, not merely light tasks. The aorist tense (past simple) indicates a completed action with continuing impact—her diligent labor is an established fact.

• very hard: This is an English rendering that effectively captures the intensity of "πολλὰ ἐκοπίασεν." The combination signifies labor that was both extensive ("much") and physically/mentally draining ("toiled to exhaustion").

• for you (εἰς ὑμᾶς - eis hymas):

  • εἰς (eis): This preposition indicates direction and purpose, meaning "unto," "for," or "for the benefit of."
  • ὑμᾶς (hymas): Refers to the collective Roman believers.
  • This phrase clarifies that Mary's strenuous work was not for her own benefit, but was directed towards and for the advantage of the church in Rome. It implies self-sacrificial service.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "Greet Mary": Paul's command to greet Mary highlights the importance of individual recognition and community inclusion, fostering bonds of love and respect within the church.
  • "who has worked very hard": This phrase is a powerful commendation. It points to Mary's exemplary dedication and strenuous effort in her service, elevating her as a model of faithful labor within the Christian community. The type of work involved significant, tiring exertion.
  • "for you": This specifies the recipients and beneficiaries of Mary's tireless service—the believers in Rome. It signifies that her work had a direct, positive, and supportive impact on their spiritual well-being or the practical needs of the local churches.

Romans 16 6 Bonus section

Paul's pattern in Romans 16 (and other epistles) of listing numerous individuals, often with specific commendations, reveals the decentralized yet deeply interconnected nature of the early church. It illustrates that the growth of Christianity was not solely dependent on a few prominent apostles but on a vast network of dedicated, often ordinary, believers like Mary. These brief mentions provide glimpses into the bustling activity of first-century Christian communities, where everyone had a role, and selfless service was highly prized. The honor given to Mary is particularly notable as it comes from Paul, a key apostolic authority, indicating that the contributions of women were recognized at the highest levels of church leadership despite the prevailing societal norms. Her un-detailed "hard work" suggests her labor likely involved the often-hidden but essential domestic and practical ministries foundational to the functioning of house churches.

Romans 16 6 Commentary

Romans 16:6 offers a concise yet profound commendation of Mary, a woman in the early Roman church. Paul instructs the community to warmly acknowledge her because she "has worked very hard" for them. This is not casual work but intense, toiling labor, likely involving the physically and mentally demanding efforts often associated with ministering in a nascent church—perhaps hospitality, teaching, evangelism, or supporting the apostles and fellow believers. Paul’s recognition of Mary (alongside several other women in this chapter) underscores the significant, often underappreciated, contributions of women to the propagation and nurturing of the early Christian movement. Her example is a powerful reminder that every act of devoted service, however "ordinary" or behind-the-scenes, is noticed and valued by God and His church. It encourages all believers to invest themselves selflessly for the good of the Body of Christ.

• Practical Usage Example: When preparing a church event, do not overlook those who volunteer for the strenuous tasks like setup, cleanup, or managing difficult logistics. Publicly thank them, just as Paul did for Mary, acknowledging the weight and importance of their "hard work."