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Acts 16:1-3
Then came he to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timotheus, the son of a certain woman, which was a Jewess, and believed; but his fatherwas a Greek: …

Acts 17:14
And then immediately the brethren sent away Paul to go as it were to the sea: but Silas and Timotheus abode there still.

Acts 18:5
And when Silas and Timotheus were come from Macedonia, Paul was pressed in the spirit, and testified to the Jewsthat Jesuswas Christ.

Lucius.

Acts 13:1
Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.

Jason.

Acts 17:5
But the Jews which believed not, moved with envy, took unto them certain lewd fellows of the baser sort, and gathered a company, and set all the city on an uproar, and assaulted the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people.

Sosipater.

Acts 20:4
And there accompanied him into Asia Sopater of Berea; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timotheus; and of Asia, Tychicus and Trophimus.

Sopater.

Romans 16:7,11
Salute Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen, and my fellowprisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me…

as do Lucius, Jason, and Sosipater, my fellow countrymen
Lucius, Jason, and Sosipater are identified as Paul's fellow countrymen, indicating they were likely Jewish Christians. Lucius may be the same individual mentioned inActs 13:1 as a prophet and teacher in the church at Antioch, though this is not certain. Jason is possibly the same person who hosted Paul and Silas in Thessalonica and faced persecution for it (Acts 17:5-9). Sosipater might be the same as Sopater of Berea, who accompanied Paul on his journey to Jerusalem (Acts 20:4). Their mention here reflects the diverse backgrounds of early Christian leaders and the unity among Jewish believers in the mission to spread the Gospel. This unity among Jewish Christians is significant in the context of the early church, which was navigating the integration of Gentile believers.

“Timothy, my fellow worker…” (Romans 16:21)

• Paul highlights Timothy first, underscoring a relationship so close that he calls him “my true child in the faith” (1 Timothy 1:2) and “like-minded” with himself (Philippians 2:19-22).

• Timothy’s mention reminds the Roman believers that ministry is never a solo effort (1 Corinthians 4:17). Paul’s authority and Timothy’s youth blend in a picture of inter-generational cooperation.

• By affirming Timothy as a “fellow worker,” Paul models the shared labor that Jesus envisioned when He sent disciples out “two by two” (Mark 6:7), showing that effective service grows out of partnership rather than celebrity.

“…sends you greetings…”

• Ancient letters commonly carried greetings, but in Christ these become more than courtesy; they are acts of spiritual fellowship (Colossians 4:10-14).

• Greeting one another cements unity (Romans 16:16;1 Corinthians 16:19-20). Even absent in body, the team is present in spirit, underscoring that the Church is one family bound by love (Ephesians 4:1-3).

• Paul’s inclusion of greetings reminds the Romans that the gospel has created bonds crossing miles and cultures, echoing Jesus’ prayer for oneness (John 17:20-23).

“…as do Lucius, Jason, and Sosipater…”

• Lucius may be the prophet from Cyrene listed among Antioch’s leaders (Acts 13:1), revealing the missionary richness of North Africa in early Christianity.

• Jason sheltered Paul in Thessalonica, risking persecution (Acts 17:5-9); his name evokes steadfast hospitality in the face of danger (Hebrews 13:2).

• Sosipater is likely “Sopater of Berea” who accompanied Paul through Macedonia (Acts 20:4), demonstrating perseverance during turbulent journeys.

• By naming these men, Paul widens the horizon: every believer—well-known or obscure—shares in advancing the gospel (1 Corinthians 12:22-26).

“…my fellow countrymen.”

• Paul identifies these three as Jewish, linking back to his deep burden for Israel (Romans 9:1-3; 10:1).

• The phrase shows that God’s promises to Abraham are being fulfilled as Jews embrace their Messiah while standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Gentile believers (Ephesians 2:14-16).

• This subtle reminder demolishes ethnic pride: if Paul’s “kinsmen according to the flesh” serve Gentile believers, then the entire body can walk in humble unity (Galatians 3:28;2 Corinthians 11:22).

Romans 16:21 showcases gospel partnership: a seasoned apostle, a young protégé, and faithful friends—Jew and Gentile—woven together in mutual love. Their greetings assure the Roman church that they are not alone; the worldwide body of Christ stands with them. In a single verse, God spotlights teamwork, hospitality, perseverance, and cross-cultural unity, inviting us to labor side by side for His glory today.

(21)Timotheus.--Timothy had been sent on in advance from Ephesus (Acts 20:22). He would seem to have gone on into Greece and to Corinth itself (1Corinthians 4:17;1Corinthians 16:10). He had thence rejoined St. Paul on his way through Macedonia (2Corinthians 1:1), and he was now with him again in Greece.

In the other Epistles (2 Cor., Phil., Colossians , 1 and 2 Thess., and Philem.), when Timothy was present with St. Paul at the time of his writing, he is joined with him in the salutation at the outset. Why his name does not appear in the heading of the present letter we can hardly say. Perhaps he happened to be away at the time when it was begun; or, St. Paul may have thought it well that a church which was entirely strange to him, and to which Timothy too was a stranger, should be addressed in his own name alone.

Lucius.--This may, perhaps, be the Lucius of Cyrene mentioned inActs 13:1; but the name is too common for anything to be asserted positively. . . .