Romanos 16
Theodoret of Cyrus · Comentário Patrístico (catena)
Romanos 16:1
Cenchreae is a village outside Corinth. It is interesting to note how quickly the gospel was spreading, in that it had already reached the villages. In fact the church at Cenchreae was so large that it even had a woman deaconess, and one who was famous and well known to boot. — INTERPRETATION OF THE LETTER TO THE ROMANS
Romanos 16:2
It is probable that Phoebe helped Paul by offering him hospitality in her house at Corinth for the short time that he was there. In return Paul opened the whole world to her, and throughout the Mediterranean she became a famous woman. — INTERPRETATION OF THE LETTER TO THE ROMANS
Romanos 16:3
Paul adds "in Christ Jesus" to show that Prisca (or Priscilla; both forms are found in the manuscripts) and Aquila were not merely Paul's hosts but that they were fellow evangelists as well. — INTERPRETATION OF THE LETTER TO THE ROMANS
Romanos 16:5
Evidently Prisca and Aquila had preached the gospel to their servants and converted them to the Lord. St. Luke mentions them [in Acts 18:24-28] and shows how they led Apollos to the truth. — INTERPRETATION OF THE LETTER TO THE ROMANS
Romanos 16:6
Yet another woman who is praised because of her labors. — INTERPRETATION OF THE LETTER TO THE ROMANS
Romanos 16:7
Yet more praises. These people were companions of Paul in his sufferings and even shared imprisonment with him. Hence he says that they are men and women of note, not among the pupils but among the teachers, and not among the ordinary teachers but among the apostles. He even praises them for having been Christians before him. — INTERPRETATION OF THE LETTER TO THE ROMANS
Romanos 16:8
This is no small praise, for Paul says that he is "beloved in the Lord," because he behaved uprightly and honestly. — INTERPRETATION OF THE LETTER TO THE ROMANS
Romanos 16:9
Paul praises Urbanus more highly than Stachys, because Urbanus had helped him in his preaching and in his struggles. — INTERPRETATION OF THE LETTER TO THE ROMANS
Romanos 16:10
Paul bears witness to the great virtue of Apelles; there was nothing corrupt in him. — INTERPRETATION OF THE LETTER TO THE ROMANS
Romanos 16:11
Paul seems to be implying that there were others in the family of Narcissus who did not yet believe. — INTERPRETATION OF THE LETTER TO THE ROMANS
Romanos 16:12
Once more, praise for work which has been done. This presumably refers to hospitality, or fasting, or some other good work of that kind. — INTERPRETATION OF THE LETTER TO THE ROMANS
Romanos 16:13
The mother of Rufus by nature had become Paul's mother by grace. — INTERPRETATION OF THE LETTER TO THE ROMANS
Romanos 16:14
This was another family of believers whom Paul thought worthy of praise. — INTERPRETATION OF THE LETTER TO THE ROMANS
Romanos 16:17
The people Paul is referring to here were men who defended the law. — INTERPRETATION OF THE LETTER TO THE ROMANS
Romanos 16:20
After revealing the enemy, Paul points to the Savior. Those who receive God's grace will never be defeated. — INTERPRETATION OF THE LETTER TO THE ROMANS
Romanos 16:21
Timothy was circumcised at Lystra and Paul wrote him two letters. Jason is mentioned in Acts. — INTERPRETATION OF THE LETTER TO THE ROMANS
Romanos 16:22
Tertius was another of those who had accepted the apostle's teaching. Being rewarded for this with the gift of expression, he was told to send this letter to the Romans. — INTERPRETATION OF THE LETTER TO THE ROMANS
Romanos 16:23
The highest praise is reserved for hospitality on such a scale.… Gaius was a Corinthian, as appears from 1 Corinthians [1:14]: "I thank my God that I baptized none of you, except Crispus and Gaius." … Erastus is also mentioned elsewhere, in 2 Timothy [4:20]. — INTERPRETATION OF THE LETTER TO THE ROMANS
Romanos 16:24
Once again Paul offers them a spiritual blessing and surrounds them with the grace of God, which is like an impenetrable wall. This is how the epistle began and this is how it ends. We too may share in this grace, triumphing over temptations and, enlightened by it, following the right way free of all error. Walking in the apostle's footsteps we may be made worthy to behold the teacher and by his intercession receive the Lord's blessing and promises, by the grace and kindness of our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom with the Father and the Holy Spirit belong glory and honor, now and forever, world without end. Amen. — INTERPRETATION OF THE LETTER TO THE ROMANS
Romanos 16:25
Paul says this in order to remind us of how old the gospel actually is. — INTERPRETATION OF THE LETTER TO THE ROMANS
Romanos 16:26
The obedience of faith is the result of the preaching of the gospel. — INTERPRETATION OF THE LETTER TO THE ROMANS
Romanos 16:27
If the heretics try to use this [verse] to prove that Christ is not God, it should be remembered that Christ not only is called wise, he is even called Wisdom. — INTERPRETATION OF THE LETTER TO THE ROMANS