What does Romans 16:14 mean?

Salute Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermas, Patrobas, Hermes, and the brethren which are with them. Romans 16:14

Explanation

Romans 16:14 is a verse from the New Testament of the Bible, specifically a part of Apostle Paul’s letter to the Christian church in Rome. In this verse, Paul extends his greetings to a group of people: Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermas, Patrobas, Hermes, and the others with them. The greetings indicate that these individuals were known to Paul and were likely active members within the Christian community. Unlike some of the more well-known figures in the New Testament, these individuals are only mentioned here and are not prominent in other sections of the Bible.

The literal meaning of the verse is straightforward as Paul is simply sending his regards to these Christians. However, the deeper significance lies in the fact that Paul acknowledges and values the role of many individuals within the early church, suggesting the importance of community and fellowship among believers. The collective mention of “the brethren which are with them” implies a larger, interconnected network of Christians who supported one another in their faith.

Historical Context

Romans 16 is part of a letter written by the Apostle Paul to the Christians in Rome, likely composed around 56-58 A.D. during Paul’s third missionary journey. Notably, Paul had yet to visit Rome when he penned this letter. In this final chapter, Paul sends his greetings to various individuals and households within the Roman Christian community, showing his personal connection and pastoral concern for them, even from afar.

During this time, the Christian community in Rome would have been a mix of Jewish and Gentile believers, and it was likely organized in small house churches scattered throughout the city. It was typical of letters in the Greco-Roman world to include personal greetings to members of the community, reinforcing social bonds and expressing mutual care and recognition.

Theological Insights

While this verse does not contain deep theological concepts directly, several insights can be derived from it:

• Importance of Community: The verse demonstrates the early Christian emphasis on community. It suggests that Christianity, from its beginnings, was a relational faith, grounded in the fellowship of believers.
• Diversity: The names listed are of Greek origin, indicating the ethnic diversity within the early church and illustrating that Christianity transcended cultural and racial boundaries.
• Equality of Believers: The single verse acknowledges individuals without reference to their social status, signifying the egalitarian nature of the Christian community where all members are valued.

Practical Applications

From this verse, believers can derive several practical applications:

• Fellowship: Make efforts to recognize and appreciate the contributions of each member within one’s community or congregation.
• Inclusivity: Emphasize inclusivity within the church, valuing the rich diversity that different individuals bring.
• Personal Relationships: Maintain personal relationships and connections, even over distances, as a pillar of faith practice.

Cross-References

• Romans 16:1-16: This section of Romans contains other greetings to various individuals, reflecting the same theme of community and personal connection.
• 1 Corinthians 1:10: Paul calls for unity and agreement among believers, underscoring the importance of fellowship within the church.
• 3 John 1:14: A similar personal greeting, indicating a pattern in early Christian letters of maintaining relationships through personal contacts.

Language Study

The key names mentioned in Romans 16:14, Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermas, Patrobas, and Hermes, do not have significant meanings that impact the interpretation of the verse, but they are of Greek etymology, which shows the multicultural backdrop of the early Christian church.

• Asyncritus (Ασύγκριτος): Possibly derives from “a” (without) and “synkritos” (judged with), meaning “incomparable.”
• Phlegon (Φλέγων): Comes from the Greek word “phlego,” meaning “to burn” or “blaze.”
• Hermas (Ἑρμᾶς): Likely related to “Hermes,” the Greek messenger god, or simply a shortened form of a name such as “Hermagoras.”
• Patrobas (Πατροβᾶς): A contraction of “Patrobius,” a name that might be related to the word “patroos” meaning “of one’s fathers.”
• Hermes (Ἑρμῆς): Taken from the Greek god Hermes, often associated with communication and boundaries.

These names reflected the cultural diversity of Rome, where people from various parts of the empire lived and interacted.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

These greetings illustrate the practice in the Greco-Roman world of sharing personal messages in letters, a cultural norm that was adopted by early Christian communities. This method of communication helped maintain social networks and bind communities together, much like greetings or acknowledgments would in other ancient cultures.

In terms of religious comparisons, many religious traditions place an emphasis on community and the recognition of individuals within the faith. For example, traditional Jewish letters often began with blessings or greetings to individuals, reflecting a similar pattern.

Scientific Perspectives

This verse does not directly intersect with scientific understandings since it does not make claims about the natural world or scientific phenomena. However, the practice of sending greetings can be connected to studies in sociology and psychology that emphasize the importance of social networks and human connection for mental and emotional well-being.

Commentaries

Various biblical commentaries note that this list of names suggests these individuals were part of the same Christian group or house church in Rome. They also point out that not much is known about these individuals beyond their names. Commentators such as John Stott emphasize that Paul’s greetings indicate his pastoral heart and the value he placed on personal relationships. Others, like Douglas Moo, point to the significant role these individuals played in the church, despite their relative obscurity. While many scholars focus on the sociological aspect of the verse, underscoring the diverse and communal nature of the early church, others look at the very human aspect of Paul’s letter, portraying him as deeply connected to the people he served.