Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges - Romans 16:5 - 16:5

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Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges - Romans 16:5 - 16:5


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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:

5. καὶ τὴν κατ' οἶκον κ.τ.λ. Cf. 1Co 16:19. It is natural to suppose that as P. and A. had formed a centre at Ephesus they would also form one at Rome. This phrase suggests that S. Paul had heard from them since their arrival at Rome: and this to some extent supports the suggestion that they had gone there to prepare the way for him. Some communication from them may have been the direct occasion for this letter. Zahn suggests that all the names that follow to Rom 16:13 are to be included in this group of Christians, Rom 16:14-15 naming two other groups. This seems probable.

For the ‘Church in the house’ cf. Col 4:15; Phm 1:2; Act 12:12; cf. S. H., Lft ad Col. l.c[319] “no clear example of a separate building set apart for Christian worship before the third century, though apartments in private houses might be specially devoted to this purpose”; cf. Hort, Eccles. 117.

[319] l.c. locus citatus

Ἐπαίνετον. “Not an uncommon name in inscriptions from Asia Minor” S. H. Zahn suggests that he was an early convert of P. and A. at Ephesus and possibly worked under them in their trade, and so accompanied them to Rome.

τὸν ἀγ. μου. This phrase (and below 8, 9) marks of course personal intimacy (contrast Rom 16:12).

ἀπαρχὴ τῆς Ἀ. εἰς Χρ. means that he was the first or at least among the first converts at Ephesus, therefore of P. and A.; cf. 1Co 16:15.