Romans 16:15

15 Hello to Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas - and all the Christians who live with them.

Romans 16:15 Meaning and Commentary

Romans 16:15

Salute Philologus, and Julia
The first of these is a Greek name, and the name of a man, and signifies a lover of learning. This name Atteius assumed to himself, which Eratosthenes had done before him, because of his great learning F25; this man is reckoned among the seventy disciples, and is said to be bishop of Sinope: (See Gill on Luke 10:1). Julia is a woman's name, and Roman, probably the wife of the former; one of Stephens's copies read, "Junia":

Nereus, and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints which are
with them;
who all dwelt together also in one family; and were saints, by separation, imputation, and the effectual calling; were called to be saints, and lived as such, and had a place in the apostle's affections on that account: Nerio, or Neriene, according to Gellius {z}, was a name with the Sabines, signifying "strength", from whence came Nero; and Olympas is the same with Olympius, said to be of the seventy disciples, and a Roman martyr; (See Gill on Luke 10:1). It deserves some notice, that among all the persons here mentioned by name, known by the apostle to be at Rome, that he takes no notice of Peter; which surely he would have done, had he been, as the Papists say, bishop of Rome, and resided there.


FOOTNOTES:

F25 Suetonius de illustr. Gram. c. 10.
F26 Noct. Attic, l. 13. c. 22.

Romans 16:15 In-Context

13 Hello to Rufus - a good choice by the Master! - and his mother. She has also been a dear mother to me.
14 Hello to Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and also to all of their families.
15 Hello to Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas - and all the Christians who live with them.
16 Holy embraces all around! All the churches of Christ send their warmest greetings!
17 One final word of counsel, friends. Keep a sharp eye out for those who take bits and pieces of the teaching that you learned and then use them to make trouble. Give these people a wide berth.
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.