Romans 16:9 kjv
Salute Urbane, our helper in Christ, and Stachys my beloved.
Romans 16:9 nkjv
Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in Christ, and Stachys, my beloved.
Romans 16:9 niv
Greet Urbanus, our co-worker in Christ, and my dear friend Stachys.
Romans 16:9 esv
Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in Christ, and my beloved Stachys.
Romans 16:9 nlt
Greet Urbanus, our co-worker in Christ, and my dear friend Stachys.
Romans 16 9 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Romans 16:5 | To the church in their house. | Family as church unit |
| 1 Corinthians 16:15 | You know that the household of Stephanas were the first converts in Achaia | First fruits of a region |
| Acts 19:10 | Jews and Greeks alike heard the word of the Lord in Ephesus | Epicenter of early evangelism in Asia |
| 1 Corinthians 1:16 | He also baptized the household of Stephanas. | Significance of baptism of first believers |
| Galatians 3:28 | There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. | Unity in Christ, transcending ethnicity/status |
| John 1:14 | The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. | Incarnation of Christ |
| John 1:12 | To all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— | Believing in His name |
| Ephesians 2:8-9 | For by grace you have been saved through faith. It is not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not of works, so that no one can boast. | Salvation by grace through faith |
| Acts 4:12 | And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved. | Jesus as the only savior |
| Colossians 1:24 | Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I fill up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church, | Partnership in suffering and ministry |
| Philippians 2:19-22 | I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered by news of you. For I have no one else of kindred spirit who will genuinely care for your welfare. For they all seek their own interests, not Jesus Christ's. | Faithful co-workers in the Gospel |
| Philemon 1:1-2 | Paul, a prisoner for Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, To Philemon our beloved fellow worker, to Apphia our sister, to Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church in your house: | Personal greetings, fellow workers |
| Acts 17:34 | But some men joined him and believed, among whom also was Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris, and others with them. | Notable converts in new places |
| Romans 1:8 | First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is proclaimed in all the world. | Faith proclaimed universally |
| Romans 1:7 | To all God's beloved in Rome, who are called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from our God and Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. | Greetings to the Roman church |
| 2 Timothy 1:5 | recalling the genuine faith that is in you, which first dwelt in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am sure is in you as well. | Faith passed down through generations |
| Acts 16:14-15 | One of those who worshipped God was a woman named Lydia, from Thyatira, a seller of purple goods. She listened eagerly to what was said by Paul and continued to listen. The Lord opened her heart to give heed to what was said by Paul. When she and the members of her household were baptized, she invited us to her home... | Opening of hearts, hospitality |
| 1 Corinthians 3:9 | For we are God's fellow workers. You are God's field, God's building. | Co-laborers in ministry |
| Acts 20:17 | And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called to him the elders of the church. | Pastoral responsibility for a region |
| Romans 1:16 | For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. | The gospel's power and universality |
Romans 16 verses
Romans 16 9 Meaning
In Christ Jesus, our Lord, greetings are extended to Epenetus, our beloved, who was the first to believe in Christ in the province of Asia.
Romans 16 9 Context
This verse is part of the concluding greetings in Paul's letter to the Romans. Romans chapter 16 is rich with personal salutations, reflecting Paul's extensive network of fellow workers and his deep affection for those with whom he labored. Epenetus is highlighted as particularly significant because he was the first believer in Asia, a prominent Roman province where the gospel had taken root through Paul's ministry. This context situates Epenetus within the early, foundational stages of Christianity in a key geographical and cultural center.
Romans 16 9 Word Analysis
- Χαιρετισμοι (Chairetismoi): Greetings. This is a formal salutation used in correspondence. It's more than just a simple "hello"; it carries a wish for joy or gladness. The inclusion of this word at the beginning of Paul's closing section sets a warm and affectionate tone.
- Εινεστωτι (Enestōti): Beloved. This adjective expresses deep affection and endearment. It's used frequently by Paul for those he holds dear in the faith.
- Ος (Hos): Who. A relative pronoun connecting Epenetus to the description that follows.
- Ην (Ēn): Was. A past tense verb indicating a completed state or action.
- Απαρχη (Aparchē): First fruits. This term has significant Old Testament theological weight. It refers to the first portion of a harvest, offered to God as a sign of the entire harvest to come (Leviticus 23:10-14). For believers, Christ is the "firstfruits" of the resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:20), and in a similar vein, Epenetus represents the initial fruits of the gospel's labor in Asia. This suggests he was a foundational figure in the church there.
- Της Ασιας (Tēs Asias): Of Asia. Referring to the Roman province of Asia, located in western Asia Minor. Ephesus was its capital and a major center for early Christian missionary activity.
- Εις (Eis): In. A preposition indicating location or sphere.
- Χριστω (Christō): Christ. The anointed one. The phrase "in Christ" signifies a profound spiritual union and new identity found in Jesus.
- Κυριω (Kuriō): Lord. A title of supreme authority and sovereignty. "Our Lord" emphasizes Jesus' dominion over Paul and Epenetus.
- Πρωτος (Prōtos): First. This adjective modifies "first fruits," reinforcing the idea of Epenetus being the initial convert in that region. It signifies precedence and foundational importance.
- Εις Χριστον (Eis Christon): In Christ. Reinforces the context of spiritual belonging and identity in Christ.
Words-Group Analysis:
- "απαρχη εις χριστον": (first fruits in Christ): This powerful phrase links Epenetus directly to the concept of "first fruits" in relation to Christ. It implies that his conversion was the inaugural manifestation of Christ's saving power in the province of Asia, setting a precedent for many more to follow, just as the early harvest foreshadows the greater yield. This echoes the theological significance of Christ Himself as the "first fruits" of the resurrection.
- "πρωτος εις Χριστον": (first in Christ): This grouping emphasizes his pioneering status. He wasn't just a convert; he was the very first convert in a significant geographical region, suggesting a crucial role in the initial planting of the gospel seed there.
Romans 16 9 Bonus Section
The mention of Epenetus, the first convert in Asia, showcases Paul's personal knowledge and appreciation for individual believers and their contributions to the early church's expansion. This practice of including specific greetings in his letters served to build community, affirm believers in their faith and labor, and offer encouragement. Asia Minor, particularly cities like Ephesus, became a vital hub for the spread of Christianity, making the "first fruits" from this region highly significant in Paul's eyes. His network extended throughout various regions, each with individuals who played a role in spreading the gospel, reinforcing the idea that church growth is a result of both broad evangelism and dedicated, personal ministry.
Romans 16 9 Commentary
Paul's commendation of Epenetus as the "first fruits" in Asia underscores the significance of early converts in establishing and growing the church. This term, rich with Old Testament imagery, implies Epenetus was the initial evidence of God's harvest of souls in that region, a testament to the gospel's potency and Paul's evangelistic efforts. His "first fruits" status positions him as a foundational believer, the vanguard of the faith in Asia, analogous to the way Christ is the First Fruits of the resurrection. This "firstness" is not merely chronological but signifies spiritual leadership and a key role in pioneering Christian work in a crucial province of the Roman Empire, highlighting the collective spiritual lineage and the beginnings of the church's expansion in that area. His being "in Christ" is the essential qualification, emphasizing that all spiritual identity and efficacy stem from this union.