Footnotes

1. Romans 16:1 Relations between the Churches became closer thanks to the fraternal relations among their members. Many of the persons named here remain unknown to us. Phoebe, who exercises a ministry of assistance among poor and sick women in Cenchreae, the port of Corinth, is possibly the bearer of the Letter. Prisca and Aquila: since “Prisca” is a variant of “Priscilla,” it is obvious that these are the same two people who are placed at Rome, Corinth, and Ephesus by the Book of Acts and Paul’s Letters (see Acts 18:2, 18-19, 26; 1 Cor 16:19; 2 Tim 4:19). In the Greek, Roman, and Jewish names, we can assume differences of social condition. Thus, this list testifies to the internal diversity of communities assembled together in the Church of Christ and, at the same time, to the responsibilities held by members of each group, made up of lay people, men or women, celibate or married. In the midst of these salutations, a severe condemnation is lodged against all those who sow division and scandal. Paul is probably thinking of Judaizing preachers (see Gal 5:7-12; Phil 3:18f) or teachers of religion preoccupied with their profit.
2. Romans 16:1 Phoebe, who is a deaconess: this verse seems to allow an office of a woman deacon although Scripture does not define the specific responsibilities of a woman deacon. See also 1 Tim 4:14.
3. Romans 16:7 Junia: this name is usually taken to be masculine; others see it as feminine. In fact, some manuscripts have “Julia” in place of “Junia.”
4. Romans 16:10 Ampliatus . . . Urbanus . . . Stachys . . . Apelles: these are all common names of slaves found in the imperial household.
5. Romans 16:10 Aristobulus: some think this name refers to the grandson of Herod the Great and the brother of Herod Agrippa I.
6. Romans 16:11 Narcissus: sometimes identified with Tiberius Claudius Narcissus, a wealthy freedman of the Roman Emperor Tiberius.
7. Romans 16:12 Tryphaena and Tryphosa: may refer to twin sisters who were wont to bear names based on the same root. Persis: i.e., a Persian woman.
8. Romans 16:13 Rufus: possibly the Rufus mentioned in Mk 15:21 as the son of Simon the Cyrenian, who helped Jesus carry his cross.
9. Romans 16:21 Jason: possibly the person mentioned in Acts 17:5-9. Sosipater: some think this is the son of Pyrrhus from Beroea who is called Sopater in Acts 20:4.
10. Romans 16:23 Gaius: some think this is the Titus Justus in whose house Paul lodged while in Corinth (see Acts 18:7 and 1 Cor 1:14). Erastus, the city treasurer: this may be the same person referred to in Acts 19:22 and 2 Tim 4:20. He may also be the person mentioned in the following Latin inscription recently found on a block of stone at Corinth: “Erastus, commissioner of public works, bore no expense of this pavement.”
11. Romans 16:24 This verse is found in some manuscripts (see v. 20).
12. Romans 16:25 This fine liturgical hymn expresses the Church’s joy at living in a time when the mystery of salvation is being fulfilled. Mystery: Paul uses this word to set forth: (1) the Incarnation (see 1 Tim 3:16); (2) Christ’s saving Death on the Cross (see 1 Cor 2:1, 7); (3) the restoration of all things in Christ (see Eph 1:9); (4) the change wrought by Christ’s Resurrection (see 1 Cor 15:51); and (5) the inclusion of both Jew and Gentile in the Kingdom of God (see v. 25).