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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadCambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges - Romans 16:16 - 16:16
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16. ἐν φιλ. ἁγίῳ. Cf. 1Co 16:20; 2Co 13:12; 1Th 5:26; 1Pe 5:14 (ἀγάπης): earliest reference to the ‘kiss of peace’ in the Christian service is in Just. Mart. Apol. I. 65. S. H.
αἱ ἐκκλησίαι πᾶσαι τοῦ χριστοῦ. The Phrase is unique in N.T.: S. Paul speaks of αἱ ἐκκ. τῶν ἁγίων (1Co 14:33), τῆς Γαλατίας alibi (Gal 1:2 alibi), τῶν ἐθνῶν (Rom 16:4), τοῦ θεοῦ (1Co 11:16; 2Th 1:4): for the inclusion of Χριστός in the phrase we have only Gal 1:22; 1Th 2:14 : for the relation of Χριστός to (αἱ ἐκκ.) ἡ ἐκκλ. cf. Eph 5:23 f.
(1) ὁ χριστός in this Ep. emphasises the relation of Christ as Messiah to Gentiles as well as Jews (Hort, Eccles. p. 111, cf[329] Rom 7:4, Rom 9:3; Rom 9:5, Rom 15:3; Rom 15:7). Hort, l.c[330], concludes that the phrase refers to the Churches of Judea: but the limitation to a single group seems quite inconsistent with the emphatic πᾶσαι; and he himself gave up this view, R. and E. p. 53. Rom 16:4 shows such a limitation; so Gal 1:22; 1Th 2:14. The force of the phrase seems rather to lie in its formal assertion of the equality and unity of all the Churches, as equally and together belonging to the Christ, in whom, as truly conceived, the ancient barriers are thrown down and mankind is one in GOD’s mercy; cf. Rom 11:25 ff. It is a definite step to the ἡ ἐκκλησία of Eph.
[329] confert
[330] l.c. locus citatus
(2) In what sense can S. Paul convey this greeting? “Doubtless S. Paul had information which enabled him to convey this greeting,” Hort, R. and E., p. 53. We may however go further. There were in his company at Corinth representatives, probably all formally appointed (cf. 2Co 8:19; 2Co 8:23), of many if not of all (cf. Act 20:4) of the Churches of his own foundation. He may have regarded himself or there may have been others in his company who could be regarded, as representing the Church in Jerusalem; cf. Igna. Trall. 12 ἀσπάζομαι ὑμᾶς ἀπὸ Σμύρνης, ἅμα ταῖς συμπαρούσαις μοι ἐκκλησίαις τοῦ θεοῦ; cf. id. Magn. 15. The inclusion of the Jewish churches is parallel to the emphasis on his Jewish friends in the above greetings.
(3) For πᾶσαι in emphatic position cf. 1Co 7:17 and c[331] 1Co 14:33; 2Co 8:18; 2Co 11:28.
[331] ct contrast