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Our apostle had sent the salutations of others to them before, he sends his own now.
1. Generally to all the Christian brethren which were in Laodicea, to whom he directs this epistle to be read in the next verse. Now, to prepare them to hear it with greater attention, he sends salutations particularly to them, Salute the brethren in Laodicea. No particular people must desire or expect to monopolize and engross the whole of a minister's affections to themselves; but as he is the minister of the catholic church, so it is both his duty and desire, that all particular churches, yea, individual Christians, should share in his affectionate love towards them, in his care and concern for them. He salutes Nymphas in particular, a person perhaps very eminent for piety and charity, as may be gathered from the following words, And the church which is in his house.
By which, 1. Understand his family and houshold, who were so piously instructed, so religiously governed, so devoutly disposed, as if they had been a church.
Learn thence, That masters of families should train up their houshold in religion and godliness, instructing, reproving, exhorting, all that are under their care, that their house may deserve the name of a church; The church which is in his house.
2. Some by the church in his house, understand a material house, or some particular room in his house, which he had given to a certain number of Christians for a place of public worship. Although the church, in the apostle's time, had not the countenance of civil authority, to provide either places for worship, or maintenance for ministers; yet such fervour of zeal was found in the breasts of Christians, that then, such as were of ability, wanted not for inclination to contribute largely and freely unto both; charity moved to give more then, than force of law can compel and constrain now; Nymphas gives his house to be a place of public worship to the church. See the learned Mr. Mede on 1Co_11:22.