Teks -- Romans 16:7 (NET)

16:7 Greet Andronicus and Junia, my compatriots and my fellow prisoners. They are well known to the apostles, and they were in Christ before me.

Tafsiran/Catatan -- Catatan Kata/Frasa (per frasa)

Robertson: Rom 16:7 - Andronicus and Junias

Andronicus and Junias ( Andronicou kai Iounian ).

The first is a Greek name found even in the imperial household. The second name can be either masculine or feminine.

Robertson: Rom 16:7 - Kinsmen

Kinsmen ( suggeneis ).

Probably only fellow-countrymen as in Rom 9:13.

Robertson: Rom 16:7 - Fellow-prisoners

Fellow-prisoners ( sunaichmalōtus ).

Late word and rare (in Lucian). One of Paul’ s frequent compounds with sun . Literally, fellow captives in war. Perhaps they had shared one of Paul’ s numerous imprisonments (2Co 11:23). In N.T. only here, Phm 1:23; Col 4:10.

Robertson: Rom 16:7 - Of note

Of note ( episēmoi ).

Stamped, marked (epi sēma ). Old word, only here and Mat 27:16 (bad sense) in N.T.

Robertson: Rom 16:7 - Among the apostles

Among the apostles ( en tois apostolois ).

Naturally this means that they are counted among the apostles in the general sense true of Barnabas, James, the brother of Christ, Silas, and others. But it can mean simply that they were famous in the circle of the apostles in the technical sense.

Robertson: Rom 16:7 - Who have been in Christ before me

Who have been in Christ before me ( hoi kai pro emou gegonan en Christōi ).

Andronicus and Junias were converted before Paul was. Note gegonan ( Koiné[28928]š form by analogy) instead of the usual second perfect active indicative form gegonasin , which some MSS. have. The perfect tense notes that they are still in Christ.

Vincent: Rom 16:7 - Andronicus and Junia

Andronicus and Junia

The latter name may be either masculine or feminine. If the latter, the person was probably the wife of Andronicus. If the former, the name is to be rendered Junias , as Rev. The following words point to this conclusion.

Vincent: Rom 16:7 - Kinsmen

Kinsmen ( συγγενεῖς )

The primary meaning is related by blood ; but it is used in the wider sense of fellow-countrymen . So Rom 9:3.

Vincent: Rom 16:7 - Of note

Of note ( ἐπίσημοι )

A good rendering etymologically, the word meaning, literally, bearing a mark (σῆμα , nota ).

Vincent: Rom 16:7 - Fellow prisoners

Fellow prisoners ( συναιχμαλώτους )

See on captives , Luk 4:18.

Wesley: Rom 16:7 - Who are of note among the apostles

They seem to have been some of the most early converts.

Wesley: Rom 16:7 - Fellowprisoners

For the gospel's sake.

JFB: Rom 16:7 - Andronicus and Junia

Or, as it might be, "Junias," a contracted form of "Junianus"; in this case, it is a man's name. But if, as is more probable, the word be, as in our version, "Junia," the person meant was no doubt either the wife or the sister of Andronicus.

JFB: Rom 16:7 - my kinsmen

Or, "relatives."

JFB: Rom 16:7 - and my fellow prisoners

On what occasion, it is impossible to say, as the apostle elsewhere tells us that he was "in prisons more frequent" (2Co 11:23).

JFB: Rom 16:7 - which are of note among the apostles

Those who think the word "apostle" is used in a lax sense, in the Acts and Epistles, take this to mean "noted apostles" [CHRYSOSTOM, LUTHER, CALVIN, BENGEL, OLSHAUSEN, THOLUCK, ALFORD, JOWETT]; others, who are not clear that the word "apostle" is applied to any without the circle of the Twelve, save where the connection or some qualifying words show that the literal meaning of "one sent" is the thing intended, understand by the expression used here, "persons esteemed by the apostles" [BEZA, GROTIUS, DE WETTE, MEYER, FRITZSCHE, STUART, PHILIPPI, HODGE]. And of course, if "Junia" is to be taken for a woman, this latter must be the meaning.

JFB: Rom 16:7 - who also were in Christ before me

The apostle writes as if he envied them this priority in the faith. And, indeed, if to be "in Christ" be the most enviable human condition, the earlier the date of this blessed translation, the greater the grace of it. This latter statement about Andronicus and Junia seems to throw some light on the preceding one. Very possibly they may have been among the first-fruits of Peter's labors, gained to Christ either on the day of Pentecost or on some of the succeeding days. In that case they may have attracted the special esteem of those apostles who for some time resided chiefly at Jerusalem and its neighborhood; and our apostle, though he came late in contact with the other apostles, if he was aware of this fact, would have pleasure in alluding to it.

Clarke: Rom 16:7 - Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen

Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen - As the word συγγενεις signifies relatives, whether male or female, and as Junia may probably be the name of a woman, the wife of Andronicus, it would be better to say relatives than kinsmen. But probably St. Paul means no more than that they were Jews; for, in Rom 9:3, he calls all the Jews his kinsmen according to the flesh

Clarke: Rom 16:7 - My fellow prisoners

My fellow prisoners - As Paul was in prison often, it is likely that these persons shared this honor with him on some occasion, which is not distinctly marked

Clarke: Rom 16:7 - Of note among the apostles

Of note among the apostles - Whether this intimates that they were noted apostles or only highly reputed by the apostles, is not absolutely clear; but the latter appears to me the most probable. They were not only well known to St. Paul, but also to the rest of the apostles

Clarke: Rom 16:7 - In Christ before me

In Christ before me - That is, they were converted to Christianity before Paul was; probably at the day of pentecost, or by the ministry of Christ himself, or by that of the seventy disciples.

Calvin: Rom 16:7 - Salute Andronicus

7.Salute Andronicus Though Paul is not wont to make much of kindred, and of other things belonging to the flesh, yet as the relationship which Junia and Andronicus bore to him, might avail somewhat to make them more fully known, he neglected not this commendation. There is more weight in the second eulogy, when he calls them his fellow-prisoners; ⁴⁷⁶ for among the honors belonging to the warfare of Christ, bonds are not to be counted the least. In the third place, he calls them Apostles: he uses not this word in its proper and common meaning, but extends it wider, even to all those who not only teach in one Church, but also spend their labor in promulgating the gospel everywhere. He then, in a general way, calls those in this place Apostles, who planted Churches by carrying here and there the doctrine of salvation; for elsewhere he confines this title to that first order which Christ at the beginning established, when he appointed the twelve disciples. It would have been otherwise strange, that this dignity should be only ascribed to them, and to a few others. But as they had embraced the gospel by faith before Paul, he hesitates not to set them on this account before himself. ⁴⁷⁷

Defender: Rom 16:7 - kinsmen

Not only Andronicus and Junia, but also Herodion (Rom 16:11), and Jason and Sosipater (Rom 16:21) are said to be Paul's "kinsmen." Although the word normally refers to blood relatives, it can be extended to include fellow countrymen."

TSK: Rom 16:7 - kinsmen // who // were

kinsmen : Rom 16:11, Rom 16:21, fellow prisoners, 2Co 11:23; Col 4:10; Phm 1:23; Rev 1:9

who : Gal 2:2, Gal 2:6

were : Rom 8:1; Isa 45:17, Isa 45:25; Joh 6:56, Joh 14:20, Joh 15:2; 1Co 1:30; 2Co 5:17, 2Co 5:21; Gal 1:22, Gal 5:6, Gal 6:15; Eph 2:10; 1Jo 4:13, 1Jo 5:20

Tafsiran/Catatan -- Catatan Kata/Frasa (per Ayat)

Poole: Rom 16:7 - Salute Andronicus and Junia // My kinsmen // My fellow prisoners // Who are of note among the apostles // Who also were in Christ before me // were in Christ

Salute Andronicus and Junia it may be rendered Junius. Some think this Junia was a woman, and the wife of Andronicus; others take them both for men.

My kinsmen so he calls them, either because they were Jews, Rom 9:3 ; or because they were of the same tribe; or because they were more nearly related to him by consanguinity and affinity.

My fellow prisoners i.e. they had been imprisoned for the gospel, as well as he: the apostle had been often in prison himself, 2Co 11:23 . We read, Act 16:23 , of his being imprisoned at Philippi, and it may be these two were his fellow prisoners, for we read of other prisoners there besides Paul and Silas, Rom 16:25,26 .

Who are of note among the apostles i.e. they were well known to the apostles, and were in good esteem with them: not only the twelve, together with Paul and Barnabas, but other teachers are sometimes called apostles, or messengers; see 2Co 8:23 Phi 2:25 . Some have thought these two, Andronicus and Junia, were of the number of the seventy disciples, who are mentioned Luk 10:1 . Others, that they were of the one hundred and twenty, who are mentioned in Act 1:15 ; or of those that were converted by the first preaching of Peter, and the rest, Act 2:41 4:4 . By what follows, it appeareth they were of considerable standing in Christianity.

Who also were in Christ before me: there are three things for which he commends these two persons: the first is, their sufferings for Christ; the second is, their fame among the apostles; and the third is, their forwardness in conversion. This was Mnason’ s commendation, Act 21:16 . When he saith, they

were in Christ he intimates the virtue and power of faith to incorporate us into Christ, as branches into a vine.

Gill: Rom 16:7 - Salute Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen // and my fellow prisoners // who are of note among the apostles // who also were in Christ before me

Salute Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen,.... According to the flesh, being perhaps not only of the same nation, Jews, but also of the same tribe, the tribe of Benjamin, and even of the same family, and might be nearly allied in blood. And though the apostle did not value himself upon his carnal descent, yet he had a very great value and affection for his relations after the flesh, even though they were only of the same nation; see Rom 9:3; and especially for such as were partakers of the grace of God, as these his kinsmen were. These were their Gentile names, the one Greek, the other Latin; but both were Jews. Grotius thinks that their Jewish names were, the one Masinissa, and the other Naarah; and that the latter was the wife of the former, but they rather seem both to be men; Junia should be read Junias, a contraction of Junilius:

and my fellow prisoners; either at Philippi, or in some other place; for though we read only of the apostle's being in prison at that place, and at Rome, yet it is certain from his own account, 2Co 11:23; that he was frequently imprisoned; and Clement of Rome says, he was seven times in bonds ^o, at one of which times these were bound with him, but when and where is not known. This is a greater character of them, and a greater honour to them, than to be called his kinsmen after the flesh:

who are of note among the apostles; were well known by, and in great account with the twelve apostles, though not of their number; they might be converted by them, and be followers of them in Judea; they are thought by some to be of the number of the seventy disciples, whom Christ himself sent forth to preach: Andronicus particularly is mentioned among them, and said to be bishop of Pannonia, or rather of Spain; See Gill on Luke 10:1; however, they might be preachers of the Gospel, and be persons of great fame and renown as such; for which reason they might be called apostles, that being a name sometimes given to ordinary ministers of the word, and to such who were messengers of the churches, 2Co 8:23, as these might be, and were famous for their prudent, faithful, and diligent discharge of their office and duty:

who also were in Christ before me; which is to be understood, not of their secret being in Christ, as being loved by him, chosen in him, given to him, and represented by him in the covenant of grace; for they had not a place in Christ's heart, or a share in his love before him; wherefore the Arabic version is not only a bad one, but carries a false sense in it; which renders the clause thus, "who were in the love of Christ before me": nor were they chosen in Christ before him, for all the elect were chosen together in him before the foundation of the world; nor were they given to him, put into his hands, and made his care and charge before him; nor were they considered in Christ as their covenant head before him; Christ became their surety for them together, and received grace, blessings, and promises for them, and they in him before the world began; and was their common head and representative in time, in their nature; and they were all together crucified, buried, and raised with him, and set down with him in heavenly places together. But they were in the profession of faith, and in the church of Christ, and in the ministry of the word before him, being converted and brought to the faith of Christ before he was; which is the saints' open being in Christ, and is the effect and evidence of their being secretly in him from everlasting: this is to be created in Christ, or made new creatures in him; to be brought to believe in him, and even into him for righteousness, pardon, peace, acceptance, and eternal life, which are in him; and to live upon him, and in him, and derive all light and life, grace and strength, joy, peace, and comfort from him, as the branch derives its sap and nourishment from the vine, in which it is; and in this sense these men were in Christ before the apostle; they were converted persons, professors of religion, members of a church, and Gospel ministers before him: and though this is nothing in the business of salvation, who is called first or last; the one is equally as safe and as happy as the other; the thief that was called at the last hour, and the last man that will be called by grace in the world; yet it is a great blessing and mercy to be converted early; hereby a multitude of sins is prevented, and more, service done for Christ. And doubtless the apostle had this in view, and therefore gives these his kinsmen the preference to himself, that whilst he was a blasphemer of Christ, a persecutor of his people, and injurious to his interest, these made a profession of his name, preached his Gospel, and served his cause: it shows also, that they were persevering Christians, were pillars in the house of God, and never went out; and on account of their constancy and long standing, were worthy of respect. The apostle rises gradually in the character of these persons; as it was more to be fellow prisoners with him than to be his kinsmen, so it was more to be of note among the apostles, or to be eminent preachers of the Gospel, than to be fellow prisoners with him; and it was more to be in Christ than them all, than to be Paul's kinsmen, fellow prisoners with him, or to be known and approved of by the apostles, to be messengers of churches, preachers of the word, or even to be apostles themselves, and the chiefest of them; for such are blessed with all spiritual blessings in Christ, are complete and perfect in him, are safe and secure, and can never perish; and being once in Christ, are always in him, and will be found in him living and dying, and at judgment.