New International VersionGreet also the church that meets at their house. Greet my dear friend Epenetus, who was the first convert to Christ in the province of Asia.
New Living TranslationAlso give my greetings to the church that meets in their home. Greet my dear friend Epenetus. He was the first person from the province of Asia to become a follower of Christ.
English Standard VersionGreet also the church in their house. Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who was the first convert to Christ in Asia.
Berean Standard BibleGreet also the church that meets at their house. Greet my beloved Epenetus, who was the first convert to Christ in the province of Asia.
Berean Literal Bibleand the church at their house. Greet Epenetus, my beloved, who is a firstfruit of Asia for Christ.
King James BibleLikewise greet the church that is in their house. Salute my wellbeloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia unto Christ.
New King James VersionLikewise greet the church that is in their house. Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia to Christ.
New American Standard Biblealso greet the church that is in their house. Greet Epaenetus, my beloved, who is the first convert to Christ from Asia.
NASB 1995also greet the church that is in their house. Greet Epaenetus, my beloved, who is the first convert to Christ from Asia.
NASB 1977also greet the church that is in their house. Greet Epaenetus, my beloved, who is the first convert to Christ from Asia.
Legacy Standard Biblealso greet the church that is in their house. Greet Epaenetus, my beloved, who is the first convert to Christ from Asia.
Amplified BibleAlso greet the church that meets in their house. Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who is the first convert to Christ from [the west coast province of] Asia [Minor].
Christian Standard BibleGreet also the church that meets in their home. Greet my dear friend Epaenetus, who is the first convert to Christ from Asia.
Holman Christian Standard BibleGreet also the church that meets in their home. Greet my dear friend Epaenetus, who is the first convert to Christ from Asia.
American Standard Versionand salute the church that is in their house. Salute Epænetus my beloved, who is the first-fruits of Asia unto Christ.
Contemporary English VersionGreet the church that meets in their home. Greet my dear friend Epaenetus, who was the first person in Asia to have faith in Christ.
English Revised Versionand salute the church that is in their house. Salute Epaenetus my beloved, who is the firstfruits of Asia unto Christ.
GOD'S WORD® TranslationAlso greet the church that meets in their house. Greet my dear friend Epaenetus. He was the first person in the province of Asia to become a believer in Christ.
Good News TranslationGreetings also to the church that meets in their house. Greetings to my dear friend Epaenetus, who was the first in the province of Asia to believe in Christ.
International Standard VersionGreet also the church in their house. Greet my dear friend Epaenetus, who was the first convert to the Messiah in Asia.
NET BibleAlso greet the church in their house. Greet my dear friend Epenetus, who was the first convert to Christ in the province of Asia.
New Heart English BibleGreet the church that is in their house. Greet Epaenetus, my beloved, who is the first fruits of Asia to Christ.
Webster's Bible TranslationLikewise greet the church that is in their house. Salute my well-beloved Epenetus, who is the first-fruits of Achaia to Christ.
Weymouth New TestamentGreetings, too, to the Church that meets at their house. Greetings to my dear Epaenetus, who was the earliest convert to Christ in the province of Asia; Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleWelcome her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints, and assist her with anything she may need from you. For she has been a great help to many people, including me.
World English BibleGreet the assembly that is in their house. Greet Epaenetus, my beloved, who is the first fruits of Achaia to Christ. Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionand the assembly at their house; greet Epaenetus, my beloved, who is first-fruit of Achaia to Christ.
Berean Literal Bibleand the church at their house. Greet Epenetus, my beloved, who is a firstfruit of Asia for Christ.
Young's Literal Translation and the assembly at their house; salute Epaenetus, my beloved, who is first-fruit of Achaia to Christ.
Smith's Literal TranslationAnd the church in their house. Embrace my beloved Epenetus, who is the first fruits of Achaia to Christ. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd the church which is in their house. Salute Epenetus, my beloved: who is the firstfruits of Asia in Christ.
Catholic Public Domain Versionand greet the church at their house. Greet Epaenetus, my beloved, who is among the first-fruits of Asia in Christ.
New American Biblegreet also the church at their house. Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who was the firstfruits in Asia for Christ.
New Revised Standard VersionGreet also the church in their house. Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who was the first convert in Asia for Christ. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleLikewise salute the congregation that is in their house. Salute my well beloved E-pæn'etus, who is the first-fruits of A-cha’ia unto Christ.
Aramaic Bible in Plain EnglishAnd give greetings to the church that is in their house. Invoke the peace of Epentos my beloved, who is the first fruits of Akaia in The Messiah. NT Translations Anderson New Testamentand salute the church that is in their house. Salute Epenetus my beloved, who is the first fruits of Asia to Christ.
Godbey New Testamentand the church in their house. Salute Epaenetus my beloved, who is the first fruit of Asia unto Christ.
Haweis New Testamentand the church which is in their house. Salute Epinetus my beloved, who is the first-fruits of Achaia unto Christ.
Mace New Testament
salute the church that is in their house, salute my dear Epenetus, who is the first christian convert of Asia.
Weymouth New Testament
Greetings, too, to the Church that meets at their house. Greetings to my dear Epaenetus, who was the earliest convert to Christ in the province of Asia;
Worrell New Testament
andsalute the assembly that is in her house. Salute Epaenetus my beloved, who is the first-fruit of Asia unto Christ.
Worsley New Testament
and the church in their house. Salute my beloved Epenetus, who is the first-fruits of Achaia unto Christ.
Additional Translations ... Audio Bible
Context Personal Greetings and Love… 4who have risked their lives for me. Not only I but all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them. 5Greet alsothechurchthat meets attheirhouse.GreetmybelovedEpenetus,whowasthe first converttoChristin the province of Asia.6Greet Mary, who has worked very hard for you.…
Cross References 1 Corinthians 16:19The churches in the province of Asia send you greetings. Aquila and Prisca greet you warmly in the Lord, and so does the church that meets at their house.
Acts 18:2There he found a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla because Claudius had ordered all the Jews to leave Rome. Paul went to visit them,
1 Corinthians 16:15You know that Stephanas and his household were the first converts in Achaia, and they have devoted themselves to the service of the saints. Now I urge you, brothers,
Colossians 4:15Greet the brothers in Laodicea, as well as Nympha and the church that meets at her house.
Philemon 1:2to Apphia our sister, to Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church that meets at your house:
Acts 16:40After Paul and Silas came out of the prison, they went to Lydia’s house to see the brothers and encourage them. Then they left the city.
Acts 20:20I did not shrink back from declaring anything that was helpful to you as I taught you publicly and from house to house,
1 Corinthians 1:16Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas; beyond that I do not remember if I baptized anyone else.
1 Corinthians 11:18First of all, I hear that when you come together as a church, there are divisions among you, and in part I believe it.
1 Corinthians 14:23So if the whole church comes together and everyone speaks in tongues, and some who are uninstructed or some unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are out of your minds?
1 Corinthians 14:26What then shall we say, brothers? When you come together, everyone has a psalm or a teaching, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. All of these must be done to build up the church.
Matthew 18:20For where two or three gather together in My name, there am I with them.”
Acts 2:46With one accord they continued to meet daily in the temple courts and to break bread from house to house, sharing their meals with gladness and sincerity of heart,
Acts 5:42Every day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they did not stop teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ.
Acts 12:12And when he had realized this, he went to the house of Mary the mother of John, also called Mark, where many people had gathered together and were praying.
Treasury of Scripture Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Salute my well-beloved Epaenetus, who is the first fruits of Achaia to Christ. the church. Matthew 18:20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. 1 Corinthians 16:19 The churches of Asia salute you. Aquila and Priscilla salute you much in the Lord, with the church that is in their house. Colossians 4:15 Salute the brethren which are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the church which is in his house. my. Romans 16:8,12 Greet Amplias my beloved in the Lord… 3 John 1:1 The elder unto the wellbeloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth. who. Romans 11:16 For if the firstfruitbe holy, the lumpis alsoholy: and if the rootbe holy, soare the branches. 1 Corinthians 16:15 I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, andthat they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints,) James 1:18 Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures. Achaia. Romans 15:26 For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem. Acts 18:12,27 And when Gallio was the deputy of Achaia, the Jews made insurrection with one accord against Paul, and brought him to the judgment seat, … 2 Corinthians 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothyour brother, unto the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints which are in all Achaia: Jump to Previous AchaiaAsiaAssemblyBelovedChristChurchConvertDearEarliestFirstFirstfruitsFirst-FruitsFriendFruitFruitsGreetGreetingsHouseKindLikewiseMeetsProvinceSaluteWell-BelovedWordJump to Next AchaiaAsiaAssemblyBelovedChristChurchConvertDearEarliestFirstFirstfruitsFirst-FruitsFriendFruitFruitsGreetGreetingsHouseKindLikewiseMeetsProvinceSaluteWell-BelovedWordRomans 16 1.Paul wills the brothers to greet many;17.and advises them to take heed of those which cause dissension and offenses;21.and after various salutations ends with praise and thanks to God.Greet also the church that meets at their house.In the early Christian era, churches often met in private homes due to the lack of formal church buildings and the need for discretion amidst persecution. This practice is evident in several New Testament references, such as Philemon 1:2 and Colossians 4:15. The house church mentioned here likely belonged to Priscilla and Aquila, a prominent Christian couple who played a significant role in the early church ( Romans 16:3). This setting reflects the intimate and communal nature of early Christian worship, emphasizing fellowship and shared resources. Archaeological findings in regions like Ephesus and Corinth have uncovered homes with large rooms that could accommodate gatherings, supporting the historical context of house churches. Greet my beloved Epenetus,
Epenetus is described with affection by Paul, indicating a close personal relationship. The term "beloved" suggests a deep bond, possibly due to shared ministry or significant contributions to the church. This personal greeting highlights the importance of individual relationships within the body of Christ, as seen in other Pauline letters where he often names and commends specific individuals (Philippians 2:25-30,Colossians 4:7-14). Epenetus's mention underscores the value of each member in the early church community, regardless of their role or status. who was the first convert to Christ in the province of Asia.
Epenetus holds the distinction of being the first convert in the Roman province of Asia, which included cities like Ephesus, Smyrna, and Pergamum. This region was a significant center for early Christian evangelism, as evidenced by Paul's missionary journeys (Acts 19:10). The conversion of Epenetus marks the beginning of the spread of Christianity in Asia Minor, a fulfillment of the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20). His conversion can be seen as a type of firstfruits, a concept rooted in Old Testament offerings (Leviticus 23:10), symbolizing the initial yield of a larger harvest to come. This aligns with the prophetic vision of the gospel reaching the ends of the earth (Isaiah 49:6). Persons / Places / Events 1. The Church at Their HouseThis refers to a group of believers who gathered in a private home for worship and fellowship. House churches were common in the early Christian era due to the lack of formal church buildings. 2. EpaenetusDescribed as "my beloved" by Paul, Epaenetus holds the distinction of being the first convert to Christianity in the province of Asia, which is modern-day western Turkey. 3. Province of AsiaA Roman province in what is now western Turkey. It was a significant area for early Christian missionary activity. Teaching Points The Importance of House ChurchesEarly Christians often met in homes, which fostered close-knit communities. Today, small groups or home Bible studies can provide similar intimacy and support. The Role of First ConvertsEpaenetus, as the first convert in Asia, likely played a crucial role in spreading the Gospel. New believers today can be powerful witnesses in their communities. Personal Relationships in MinistryPaul’s affectionate mention of Epaenetus as "my beloved" underscores the importance of personal relationships in ministry. Building strong, loving relationships can enhance the effectiveness of our witness. The Spread of the GospelThe mention of Epaenetus highlights the geographical spread of Christianity. We are called to continue this mission, reaching out to new areas and people groups. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1.What is the meaning of Romans 16:5?
2.How can we emulate the church meeting in Priscilla and Aquila's home today?
3.What does Romans 16:5 teach about the importance of house churches?
4.How does Epaenetus being "first convert in Asia" inspire our evangelism efforts?
5.What role do personal relationships play in spreading the Gospel, as seen here?
6.How can we honor early church members like Epaenetus in our faith communities?
7.Who was Epenetus mentioned in Romans 16:5, and why is he significant?
8.What does "first convert to Christ in Asia" imply about early Christian missions?
9.How does Romans 16:5 reflect the structure of early Christian communities?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Romans 16?
11.What is the significance of the Church in Thyatira?
12.How do universal and local churches differ?
13.How has the Catholic Church evolved over the centuries?
14.Where is the nearest church to me?What Does Romans 16:5 Mean Greet also the church that meets at their house.“Greet also the church that meets at their house.” (Romans 16:5a) • A simple home becomes a vibrant gathering place for worship, prayer, teaching, and fellowship. • The verse reminds us that the early believers met where space was available, illustrating flexibility and readiness to gather (Acts 12:12;1 Corinthians 16:19;Colossians 4:15; Philemon 2). • Hospitality is elevated as a ministry. Opening one’s home serves the gospel by providing a setting where believers grow together (1 Peter 4:9;Hebrews 13:2). • The phrase underscores that “church” is people, not a building—the body of Christ assembled in unity (Matthew 18:20;Ephesians 2:19-22).
Greet my beloved Epenetus“Greet my beloved Epenetus…” (Romans 16:5b) • Paul uses “beloved” to convey deep affection rooted in Christ (Romans 12:10;1 Corinthians 4:17). • Individual names matter. God’s work is personal, and each believer is known and cherished by name (John 10:3). • Publicly honoring faithful servants encourages others and models genuine appreciation within the body (Philippians 2:29).
Who was the first convert to Christ in the province of Asia“…who was the first convert to Christ in the province of Asia.” (Romans 16:5c) • “First convert” (literally “firstfruits,”1 Corinthians 16:15) signals the beginning of a harvest—one life transformed that leads to many more (James 1:18). • “Asia” refers to the Roman province where cities like Ephesus stood (Acts 19:10;Revelation 1:4). Epenetus marks the gospel’s initial breakthrough there. • His testimony highlights God’s initiative in new regions and calls believers to pioneer work today (Acts 13:47;Mark 16:15). • Remembering spiritual milestones fuels gratitude and faith for future expansion (Psalm 77:11-12).
summaryRomans 16:5 invites us into the living room of early believers, where the church gathered, hospitality flourished, and names like Epenetus were celebrated as evidence of God’s expanding kingdom. A house became a sanctuary, a beloved brother embodied Christ-centered affection, and a single conversion signaled a vast harvest yet to come. Together, these elements urge us to open our homes, honor one another, and expect God to keep multiplying firstfruits into full fields of gospel fruitfulness. (5) The church that is in their house.--A party of Christians seem to have been in the habit of meeting in the house of Aquila and Priscilla for purposes of worship at Rome, as previously at Ephesus ( 1Corinthians 16:19). Similar instances may be found in Acts 12:12; Colossians 4:15; Philemon 1:2. Salute.--The same word in the Greek is translated indifferently by "salute" and "greet," an unnecessary caprice. Firstfruits of Achaia.--For "Achaia" we ought certainly to read "Asia"--i.e., the Roman province of Asia, a broad strip of territory including the whole western end of the peninsula of Asia Minor, from the Propontis in the north, to Lycia in the south. Ephesus was the capital, and the seven "churches in Asia" to which St. John wrote in the Apocalypse--Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, Laodicea--were the most central and important of its cities. By "firstfruits of Asia" is meant one of the first converts won over to Christianity in Asia. (Comp. "firstfruits of Achaia," in1Corinthians 16:15, through the parallelism of which the text of our own passage became corrupted.) . . .
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek [Greet also]καὶ(kai)Conjunction
Strong's 2532:And, even, also, namely.theτὴν(tēn)Article - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.churchἐκκλησίαν(ekklēsian)Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1577:From a compound of ek and a derivative of kaleo; a calling out, i.e. a popular meeting, especially a religious congregation.[that meets] atκατ’(kat’)Preposition
Strong's 2596:A primary particle; down, in varied relations (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined).theirαὐτῶν(autōn)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 846:He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.house.οἶκον(oikon)Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3624:A dwelling; by implication, a family.GreetἈσπάσασθε(Aspasasthe)Verb - Aorist Imperative Middle - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 782:To greet, salute, pay my respects to, welcome. To enfold in the arms, i.e. to salute, to welcome.myμου(mou)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1473:I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.belovedἀγαπητόν(agapēton)Adjective - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 27:From agapao; beloved.Epenetus,Ἐπαίνετον(Epaineton)Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 1866:Epaenetus, a Christian of Rome. From epaineo; praised; Epaenetus, a Christian.whoὅς(hos)Personal / Relative Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3739:Who, which, what, that.wasἐστιν(estin)Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1510:I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.the first [convert]ἀπαρχὴ(aparchē)Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 536:From a compound of apo and archomai; a beginning of sacrifice, i.e. The first-fruit.toεἰς(eis)Preposition
Strong's 1519:A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.ChristΧριστόν(Christon)Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5547:Anointed One; the Messiah, the Christ. From chrio; Anointed One, i.e. The Messiah, an epithet of Jesus.in [the province of] Asia.Ἀσίας(Asias)Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 773:Asia, i.e. Asia Minor, or only its western shore.
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NT Letters: Romans 16:5 Greet the assembly that is in their (Rom. Ro) |
