Romans 16:8 kjv
Greet Amplias my beloved in the Lord.
Romans 16:8 nkjv
Greet Amplias, my beloved in the Lord.
Romans 16:8 niv
Greet Ampliatus, my dear friend in the Lord.
Romans 16:8 esv
Greet Ampliatus, my beloved in the Lord.
Romans 16:8 nlt
Greet Ampliatus, my dear friend in the Lord.
Romans 16 8 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Rom 1:7 | To all in Rome, beloved of God... | All believers are "beloved of God" |
| Rom 16:2 | Phoebe, our sister, who is a servant... | Paul greets and commends individuals |
| Rom 16:3 | Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers... | Greetings to esteemed co-laborers |
| Rom 16:5 | Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who is the first convert... | Paul's personal affection for an individual |
| Rom 16:9 | Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in Christ, and my beloved Stachys. | Similar greeting combining "fellow worker" and "beloved" |
| Rom 16:12 | Greet Tryphaena and Tryphosa, who toil in the Lord. Greet the beloved Persis... | Women actively working "in the Lord," and one "beloved" |
| Philem 1 | Paul... to Philemon our beloved and fellow worker. | Paul's affection and professional kinship |
| Col 4:7 | Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful minister... | Description of Tychicus's cherished status |
| Col 4:9 | ...with Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother... | Onesimus's elevated status as a "beloved brother" |
| 1 Cor 4:14 | As my beloved children, I do not write these things... | Paul's paternal affection for Corinthian believers |
| Phil 2:25 | I have thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother and fellow worker... | Example of a close co-worker |
| 1 Thess 5:12 | We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you... | Encouragement to esteem those who serve |
| Gal 6:10 | Let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith. | Love and good deeds toward fellow believers |
| 1 Jn 4:7 | Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God... | Exhortation for love among the beloved saints |
| Jn 13:34 | A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another... | Christ's command for mutual love |
| Eph 1:1 | To the saints who are in Ephesus, faithful in Christ Jesus. | Believers identified by their faithfulness in Christ |
| Eph 6:1 | Children, obey your parents in the Lord... | Conduct within the sphere of being "in the Lord" |
| Phil 2:19 | I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon... | Paul's plans centered "in the Lord" |
| Phil 3:1 | Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord... | Exhortation to joy "in the Lord" |
| Col 3:18 | Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. | Christian conduct guided by being "in the Lord" |
| 1 Cor 7:39 | ...if her husband dies, she is free to be married... only in the Lord. | Marrying "in the Lord" signifies Christian partners |
| 1 Cor 16:19 | Aquila and Prisca, together with the church in their house, greet you warmly in the Lord. | Greeting "in the Lord" |
| 2 Cor 10:17 | Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord. | Boasting should be solely "in the Lord" |
| Deut 33:12 | Of Benjamin he said, "The beloved of the Lord shall dwell in safety by him..." | OT parallel: a people cherished by God |
| Ps 32:10 | ...but steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts in the Lord. | God's steadfast love for those who trust Him |
| 1 Sam 2:30 | ...those who honor me I will honor, and those who despise me shall be lightly esteemed. | God's honoring of faithful servants |
| Zech 8:19 | Therefore love truth and peace. | Essential virtues for God's people |
| Gal 5:6 | For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love. | Love as a core expression of faith in Christ |
| 1 Cor 1:30 | ...Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God... | Foundation of our identity is in Christ |
| Acts 9:10 | There was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him... | Example of direct interaction with "the Lord" |
Romans 16 verses
Romans 16 8 Meaning
Paul sends a specific greeting to Ampliatus, a believer in the Roman church, affirming a personal and deeply spiritual bond. By calling him "my beloved in the Lord," Paul not only expresses profound affection but also highlights their shared identity and relationship with Christ as the foundational aspect of their connection, valuing spiritual kinship above all else.
Romans 16 8 Context
Romans 16 serves as the personal closing to Paul's magnum opus on justification by faith. Unlike a typical formal closing, this chapter offers a mosaic of greetings, commendations, and exhortations, revealing the deeply interconnected nature of early Christianity. It details a diverse community, spanning different social statuses, genders, and roles, highlighting the collaborative effort in the spread of the Gospel. Ampliatus, along with many others, appears on this list, likely representing a real, active member of the Christian community in Rome. These greetings emphasize Paul's awareness of specific individuals and his profound desire for fellowship, acknowledging their significance in the burgeoning church. This human element underscores that the powerful theological treatise of Romans was not merely abstract doctrine but was lived out in tangible relationships and mutual love among believers across the Roman world.
Romans 16 8 Word analysis
Greet (Ἀσπάσασθε - Aspasasthe): An imperative verb, "greet" signifies a command for the readers in Rome to offer a heartfelt salutation to Ampliatus. This word implies a warm welcome, an embrace, or a showing of respect and acknowledgment, reflecting genuine Christian fellowship and valuing each individual within the community.
Ampliatus (Ἀμπλιᾶτον - Ampliaton): This is a Roman cognomen (personal name), likely Latin, often found among individuals of various social standings, including freedmen (former slaves) in the Roman Empire. Its inclusion points to the diverse social fabric of the early Roman church, where former slaves and citizens worshipped alongside each other, transcending the societal hierarchies of the time. The name’s historicity further emphasizes that Paul is addressing real people in the congregation.
my beloved (τὸν ἀγαπητόν μου - ton agapeton mou):
- agapetos (ἀγαπητός): meaning "beloved, dear, esteemed, worthy of love." It expresses deep affection and a cherished relationship. It's used by God for Jesus (Matt 3:17, 17:5), and Paul frequently uses it for fellow believers, signaling profound spiritual and personal fondness, more than just casual acquaintance or respect.
- mou (μου): the possessive pronoun "my" indicating a personal bond between Paul and Ampliatus. It suggests a close connection, perhaps through shared work, personal friendship, or spiritual kinship known to Paul.
in the Lord (ἐν Κυρίῳ - en Kyriō):
- en (ἐν): the preposition "in," denoting sphere, union, or relationship. It suggests an integral connection, meaning the condition or context of existence.
- Kyriō (Κυρίῳ): "Lord," unequivocally referring to Jesus Christ, the divine head of the Church.
- This critical Pauline phrase means that the foundation, nature, and purpose of their relationship (and Ampliatus's identity) are all rooted in and defined by their union with Jesus Christ. It elevates their bond from mere human affection to a spiritual reality, transcending worldly ties and making Christ the center of their fellowship.
Words-group analysis:
- "Greet Ampliatus, my beloved in the Lord": This phrase succinctly conveys both personal warmth and profound spiritual significance. Paul not only directs the Roman church to recognize Ampliatus but also offers his own testament of endearment, establishing Ampliatus as someone precious not merely to Paul, but also implicitly, to the wider Body of Christ. The descriptor "in the Lord" clarifies that this cherished relationship is grounded not in worldly ties or social status, but in a shared allegiance and spiritual union with Jesus Christ, highlighting the truly transformative and unifying power of the Gospel within the early church.
Romans 16 8 Bonus section
The prominence of greetings in Romans 16 highlights the practical, relational side of Paul's ministry. It reveals that the early Christian mission was built not just on theological pronouncements, but on personal networks, hospitality, and deep affection among individuals. The sheer number and diversity of people greeted by name challenge any notion of a highly institutionalized, faceless early church, showing instead a vibrant, organic network of interconnected households and believers. Some ancient sources, like an inscription from a crypt of the aristocratic gens Aurelia in Rome (the coemeterium Comodillae), name individuals with "Ampliati," leading to speculation that this particular Ampliatus may have held a position of some leadership or renown in the Roman church, or been part of a significant Christian family. This tradition, though unconfirmed, reflects the historical attempts to connect Paul's specific greetings to tangible individuals in Roman Christian history, thereby reinforcing the historical reality and personal significance of each person named.
Romans 16 8 Commentary
Romans 16:8 is a brief yet potent expression of the intimate and profoundly spiritual connections fostered within early Christian communities. By singling out Ampliatus as "my beloved in the Lord," Paul not only expresses a genuine personal affection but also affirms Ampliatus's esteemed position within the Christian fellowship, a status defined not by societal rank but by his union with Christ. This phrase underscores that the deepest and most meaningful bonds among believers are those forged "in the Lord," where love is sanctified by their common identity in Christ, uniting individuals from diverse backgrounds into a spiritual family. It serves as a concise model for valuing and affirming one another within the body of Christ, recognizing the divine cornerstone of every Christian relationship.