Romans 16:7
Salute Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen, and my fellowprisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me.
Original Language Analysis
ἀσπάσασθε
Salute
G782
ἀσπάσασθε
Salute
Strong's:
G782
Word #:
1 of 23
to enfold in the arms, i.e., (by implication) to salute, (figuratively) to welcome
καὶ
also
G2532
καὶ
also
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
3 of 23
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τοὺς
G3588
τοὺς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
συγγενεῖς
kinsmen
G4773
συγγενεῖς
kinsmen
Strong's:
G4773
Word #:
6 of 23
a relative (by blood); by extension, a fellow countryman
καὶ
also
G2532
καὶ
also
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
8 of 23
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τοῖς
G3588
τοῖς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
15 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀποστόλοις
the apostles
G652
ἀποστόλοις
the apostles
Strong's:
G652
Word #:
16 of 23
a delegate; specially, an ambassador of the gospel; officially a commissioner of christ ("apostle") (with miraculous powers)
οἳ
who
G3739
οἳ
who
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
17 of 23
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
καὶ
also
G2532
καὶ
also
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
18 of 23
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
πρὸ
before
G4253
πρὸ
before
Strong's:
G4253
Word #:
19 of 23
"fore", i.e., in front of, prior (figuratively, superior) to
Cross References
Romans 16:21Timotheus my workfellow, and Lucius, and Jason, and Sosipater, my kinsmen, salute you.Romans 16:11Salute Herodion my kinsman. Greet them that be of the household of Narcissus, which are in the Lord.Colossians 4:10Aristarchus my fellowprisoner saluteth you, and Marcus, sister's son to Barnabas, (touching whom ye received commandments: if he come unto you, receive him;)Philemon 1:23There salute thee Epaphras, my fellowprisoner in Christ Jesus;2 Corinthians 5:17Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.Galatians 1:22And was unknown by face unto the churches of Judaea which were in Christ:
Historical Context
Junia being an apostle scandalized later interpreters. Church fathers (Chrysostom, 4th century) affirmed Junia as woman apostle: 'How great the wisdom of this woman that she was counted worthy of the apostle's title!' Medieval copyists changed Junia (feminine) to Junias (masculine, though no evidence this name existed). Modern scholarship overwhelmingly affirms Junia (feminine): a woman apostle, imprisoned for the gospel, commended by Paul. 'Apostles' had wider sense than the Twelve—missionaries like Barnabas (Acts 14:14), Epaphroditus (Philippians 2:25), Andronicus and Junia.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Junia being '<em>episēmoi en tois apostolois</em>' (notable among the apostles) challenge or affirm your view of women in ministry?
- What does it mean to be an 'apostle' in the broader NT sense—missionary, church planter, gospel witness—versus the Twelve?
- How can the church honor pioneers like Andronicus and Junia who were 'in Christ before' Paul—earlier converts who paved the way?
Analysis & Commentary
Salute Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen, and my fellowprisoners—Aspasasthe Andronikon kai Iounian tous syngeneis mou kai synaichmalōtous mou (ἀσπάσασθε Ἀνδρόνικον καὶ Ἰουνίαν τοὺς συγγενεῖς μου καὶ συναιχμαλώτους μου). Syngeneis (συγγενής, kinsmen) likely means fellow Jews, not blood relatives. Synaichmalōtous (συναιχμάλωτος, fellow prisoners) indicates they were imprisoned for the gospel with Paul—likely husband-wife team like Priscilla-Aquila. Junia (Ἰουνία) is feminine name (Iounian, accusative)—though later copyists masculinized it to Junias due to discomfort with female apostle.
Who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me—Hoitines eisin episēmoi en tois apostolois, hoi kai pro emou gegonan en Christō (οἵτινές εἰσιν ἐπίσημοι ἐν τοῖς ἀποστόλοις, οἳ καὶ πρὸ ἐμοῦ γεγόναν ἐν Χριστῷ). Episēmoi en tois apostolois (ἐπίσημος ἐν τοῖς ἀποστόλοις, notable among the apostles) most naturally means they were apostles of note, not merely 'well-known to apostles' (strained alternative). Pro emou en Christō (before me in Christ) indicates earlier conversion than Paul's—they were believers before AD 33-35, possibly witnesses to Jesus' resurrection or Pentecost.