What does Romans 16:21 mean?

Timotheus my workfellow, and Lucius, and Jason, and Sosipater, my kinsmen, salute you. Romans 16:21

Explanation

Romans 16:21 is a verse situated towards the end of the Apostle Paul’s epistle to the Romans. In this verse, Paul conveys greetings from his companions to the recipients of his letter. The four men named here—Timotheus (Timothy), Lucius, Jason, and Sosipater—are identified as Paul’s workfellows or fellow workers and kinsmen, which implies they are not only associates in his missionary activities but also share a Jewish heritage with him.

The use of the term “workfellow” or “fellow worker” signifies a close relationship with Paul in his ministry, suggesting that these individuals had some role in the spreading of the gospel and the establishment of early Christian communities.

Paul’s inclusion of greetings from these men not only serves to pass along friendly regards but also connects the community in Rome with a broader network of Christian believers, demonstrating the unity and diversity of the early church.

Historical Context

Written around A.D. 57, the Epistle to the Romans is one of the most significant letters penned by the Apostle Paul. Unlike many of his other letters to established churches he visited, the letter to the Romans was sent to a Christian community that Paul had not founded nor visited at the time of writing. At that period, the Christian church in Rome was presumably composed of both Jewish and Gentile believers.

Paul’s co-workers mentioned in Romans 16:21 were likely part of his missionary journeys and reflect the various relationships Paul forged throughout his ministry. Timothy, in particular, is well known as a close associate of Paul and is mentioned in several New Testament texts. Jason is possibly the same Jason referred to in Acts 17:5-9, who was involved in early missions in Thessalonica. Lucius and Sosipater are less well-known but are still acknowledged for their parts in the early Christian mission.

Theological Insights

Theologically, this verse highlights the cooperation and partnership inherent in the early Christian mission. This is reflective of the broader theology in Pauline letters where Paul often speaks of the body of Christ consisting of many members working together (1 Corinthians 12:12-27).

It also has implications for the concept of ‘apostolic authority,’ as Paul’s greetings from others indicate a shared recognition and endorsement of his message. Additionally, by calling them his “kinsmen,” Paul draws attention to the familial aspect of the Christian community, where ethnic and cultural lines are secondary to the spiritual kinship among believers.

Practical Applications

Practical applications derived from this verse can include the recognition of the importance of community and teamwork in Christian ministry. The acknowledgment of fellow workers can encourage the practice of inclusivity and solidarity within modern congregations. Furthermore, this verse can inspire believers to appreciate the diverse yet unified nature of the global church.

By sending greetings from his companions, Paul models an awareness of others’ contributions to the ministry, something that can be emulated by modern believers in acknowledging and valifying the roles of each member within a community.

Cross-References

Here are related verses from the King James Version that focus on companionship, teamwork, and the concept of believers as kinsmen:

• 1 Corinthians 12:12-27: “[…] many members, yet but one body.”
• Philippians 4:3: “[…] those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life.”
• Colossians 4:10: “Aristarchus my fellowprisoner saluteth you, and Marcus, sister’s son to Barnabas […]”

Language Study

The key words in the original Greek text of this verse are:

• “συνεργός” (sunergos) meaning “fellow worker” or “coworker”
• “συγγενής” (syngenēs) which translates to “kinsmen” or “relative”

The first term, “συνεργός,” literally signifies working together with someone and is used in the New Testament to denote those who labor in the Christian ministry alongside Paul. The second term, “συγγενής,” has the basic meaning of sharing the same kin or genetic stock, but in a broader sense, it can extend to people of the same nationality or faith group.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In broader cultural and religious contexts, the act of sending greetings or commendations through a letter is not unique to Christianity. In many ancient cultures, including Roman and Jewish societies, letters often included greetings from individuals not directly related to the recipient to fortify community ties and to offer social validation.

Comparing this practice to other ancient myths, where deities and heroes often bring messages from others, we see a common theme of connectivity and the importance of communication in creating a sense of belonging and communal identity.

Scientific Perspectives

From a scientific perspective, the study of kinship and the formation of social bonds are of interest in both anthropology and sociology. While this verse is not directly related to scientific concepts, modern social science acknowledges the value of networking and the building of communities around shared goals or beliefs as essential to human development and social cohesion.

Commentaries

Modern biblical scholars and theologians view Romans 16:21 as an expression of Paul’s relationship with his fellow workers and the unity within the early Christian communities. For example, the New International Commentary on the New Testament emphasizes the significance of Paul highlighting his companions’ Jewish heritage as his “kinsmen,” which may indicate the strong Jewish roots within the Christian faith at that time.

The Expositor’s Bible Commentary notes that such greetings demonstrate the network of Christian workers supporting Paul’s mission and suggest the importance of collaboration in the spread of the Gospel. Both sources and others recognize that, while brief, verses like Romans 16:21 offer a glimpse into the lives of early Christians and the bonds that held them together.