Romans 16 7

Romans 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.

Romans 16:7 nkjv

Greet Andronicus and Junia, my countrymen and my fellow prisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me.

Romans 16:7 niv

Greet Andronicus and Junia, my fellow Jews who have been in prison with me. They are outstanding among the apostles, and they were in Christ before I was.

Romans 16:7 esv

Greet Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen and my fellow prisoners. They are well known to the apostles, and they were in Christ before me.

Romans 16:7 nlt

Greet Andronicus and Junia, my fellow Jews, who were in prison with me. They are highly respected among the apostles and became followers of Christ before I did.

Romans 16 verses

Romans 16 7 Meaning

Romans 16:7 serves as a commendation and greeting from Paul to Andronicus and Junia, two significant individuals within the early Christian community in Rome. Paul identifies them as his 'kinsmen' (likely fellow Jews) and 'fellow prisoners' (indicating shared suffering or imprisonment for the Gospel). The verse most notably declares them to be 'outstanding among the apostles' and states that they became believers 'in Christ before me,' highlighting their early conversion and senior standing in the faith. This verse profoundly affirms their influential roles, particularly Junia, often understood as a female apostle.

Romans 16 7 Context

Romans chapter 16 concludes Paul's theological magnum opus with a series of personal greetings and exhortations. Unlike the previous doctrinal sections, this chapter unveils the rich tapestry of Paul's personal network and the social fabric of the early church in Rome, a church he had not yet visited. It lists numerous individuals by name, indicating a vibrant, diverse community, likely comprised of several house churches. These greetings are not mere pleasantries but highlight the importance of relationships, co-laborers, and the collective effort in spreading the Gospel.

Historically, Rome was the center of the vast Roman Empire, with a diverse population, including a significant Jewish diaspora. Early Christianity took root here, likely within Jewish synagogues initially, and then branched out into various Gentile house churches. Paul's detailed greetings suggest his extensive connections and knowledge of individuals who had traveled or ministered throughout the Empire, many of whom had now converged in Rome. The mention of individuals like Andronicus and Junia, coupled with terms like "kinsmen" and "fellow prisoners," provides a rare glimpse into the practicalities of early Christian missionary work, which often involved travel, shared heritage, persecution, and deep personal bonds among dedicated evangelists.

Romans 16 7 Word analysis

• Greet (ἀσπάσασθε - aspasasthe): An imperative verb, "greet warmly." This is a standard opening in ancient letters, reflecting the strong emphasis on community and interpersonal connections within the early church.
• Andronicus (Ἀνδρόνικος - Andronikos): A common Greek name meaning "man of victory." He is clearly a male figure, co-mentioned with Junia.
• Junia (Ἰουνία/Ἰουνίας - Iounia/Iounias): The reading 'Junia' (Ἰουνία) is a feminine name, derived from Latin Iunia, associated with the goddess Juno or the Roman gens Iunia. This is the overwhelmingly dominant textual reading and the traditional interpretation by early Church Fathers. The alternative 'Junias' (Ἰουνίας) would be a male contraction, but evidence for its common usage is scant. The scholarly consensus strongly favors 'Junia' as a woman, making her the only woman directly identified as an "apostle" in the NT.
• my kinsmen (τοὺς συγγενεῖς μου - tous syngeneis mou): Syngeneis means "relatives" or "fellow countrymen." Given Paul's statements elsewhere in Romans about his Jewish identity (Rom 9:3, 11:1), it most likely indicates they were fellow Jews. This emphasizes a shared ethnic or familial background.
• my fellow prisoners (συναιχμαλώτους μου - synaichmalōtous mou): Synaichmalōtos literally means "fellow prisoner of war" or "fellow captive." This suggests they shared in Paul's suffering for the sake of the Gospel, experiencing imprisonment or significant hardship/persecution, possibly at the same time or for similar causes. This underscores their dedication and cost of discipleship.
• outstanding (ἐπίσημοι - episēmoi): Episēmos means "distinguished," "noteworthy," "prominent," or "of good reputation." It denotes being held in high regard or having significant recognition. It does not mean 'notorious' in a negative sense.
• among (ἐν - en): In the context of "outstanding among the apostles," the Greek preposition en signifies being "within" or "belonging to" a group. It strongly implies that Andronicus and Junia are apostles, not merely well-regarded by apostles.
• the apostles (τοῖς ἀποστόλοις - tois apostolois): Apostolos means "one who is sent" or "messenger." While the Twelve (and Paul) hold a unique authoritative position as eyewitnesses of Jesus' resurrection and founders of the Church, the term apostolos is used more broadly in the New Testament to describe others sent out by Christ or the church for missionary work (e.g., Barnabas, Epaphroditus in Phil 2:25, "messengers of the churches" in 2 Cor 8:23). Andronicus and Junia are almost certainly identified with this broader category of missionary apostles.
• in Christ before me (πρὸ ἐμοῦ ἐν Χριστῷ - pro emou en Christō): This phrase emphasizes their long-standing faith and early conversion to Christianity, predating Paul's own dramatic experience on the Damascus road. This gives them a venerable status and a depth of experience in the faith that predates even the great Apostle to the Gentiles.

• "Andronicus and Junia": These names represent a co-laboring pair, possibly a husband and wife, or siblings. Their joint mention signifies a recognized partnership in ministry, reflecting common dynamics in early Christian leadership and mission work.
• "my kinsmen and my fellow prisoners": This coupling emphasizes deep shared bonds with Paul—both ethnic/familial (Jewish heritage) and experiential (suffering/imprisonment for Christ). This combination points to a very close relationship marked by both common identity and shared sacrifice, highlighting their profound commitment.
• "they are outstanding among the apostles": This phrase constitutes a profound commendation. The placement of episēmoi ("outstanding") before en tois apostolois ("among the apostles") strongly suggests they are part of the group of apostles themselves, indicating their recognition and high standing within that significant cadre. This assertion is critical for understanding their authority and the diversity of early apostolic ministry.
• "and they were in Christ before me": This detail establishes their seniority in faith compared to Paul. It signifies a significant duration of Christian devotion and likely extensive experience in ministry, possibly contributing to their status as "outstanding apostles." It shows their early embrace of Christ at a very foundational time for the Church.

Romans 16 7 Bonus section

• The Gender of Junia: The long-standing scholarly consensus is that 'Junia' is a feminine name. Greek grammars and the vast majority of early church fathers (such as Origen and John Chrysostom) understood this person to be a woman. The interpretation shifted in some circles, particularly from the Middle Ages onwards, to a masculine "Junias," often reflecting evolving views on women's roles in church leadership. However, modern textual criticism and grammatical analysis strongly reaffirm the female reading. This interpretation has profound implications for understanding women's authoritative roles in the early church.
• Categories of Apostleship: While the "Twelve" and Paul hold unique roles, the New Testament uses "apostle" more broadly. Andronicus and Junia likely fit into this broader category, implying they were designated emissaries or missionaries for the Gospel, potentially sent by Jesus Himself, or by a specific church for widespread evangelistic work. This "apostolicity" was recognized by Paul and the broader Christian community for its impact and authority in spreading the faith.
• Significance of Early Conversion: To be "in Christ before me" means they were believers prior to Paul's own dramatic conversion around AD 34-36. This suggests they might have been part of the very first wave of Christian converts, possibly even hearing Jesus or being converted shortly after Pentecost. This seniority in faith granted them a special status and extensive experience within the fledgling Christian movement, making them invaluable assets and spiritual elders.

Romans 16 7 Commentary

Romans 16:7 is a jewel that reveals crucial insights into the early Christian movement. Paul's greetings to Andronicus and Junia elevate them to a distinguished status, showcasing the inclusive and collaborative nature of early apostolic endeavors. Their identity as Paul's "kinsmen" indicates a Jewish background, underscoring the deep roots of Christianity within Judaism even as it spread to the Gentiles. Being "fellow prisoners" points to their shared suffering for the Gospel, a hallmark of apostolic service, demonstrating a willingness to endure hardship for Christ. The pivotal aspect, however, lies in their designation as "outstanding among the apostles." This robust phrase affirms their apostolic calling and recognized authority, almost certainly within the broader New Testament understanding of 'apostle' as one sent out on mission, rather than exclusively referring to the Twelve. The identification of Junia as an apostle is particularly groundbreaking, affirming women's active and prominent roles in early Christian leadership, which regrettably became suppressed in later church history. Furthermore, their conversion "in Christ before me" positions them as venerable figures with foundational experience in the faith, even pre-dating Paul's own conversion. This verse challenges later restrictive views on gender and apostolic ministry, presenting a snapshot of a dynamic, diverse, and mutually supportive early church structure where leadership was based on divine calling, sacrificial service, and spiritual maturity.