Romans Chapter 16 Vs. 5

 

Personal Greetings

Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Salute my wellbeloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia unto Christ. Rom 16:5

greet the church... Here, we see a mention of the church which was in their house.

1Cor. 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.”

The next Scripture will show that they brought the word in all truth to those who would hear.

Acts 18:26 “And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto [them], and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly.”

my well beloved... Mentioned only here, but he was perhaps of the house of Stephenas, which is also called the firstfruits of Achaia (1Cor. 16:15).

who is the... It seems that Epaenetus was the first one saved under Paul’s ministry in Achaia. It would be a natural thing for Paul to inquire of his convert.

Acts 18:27 “And when he was disposed to pass into Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him: who, when he was come, helped them much which had believed through grace:”

We see for certain that Paul ministered in Achaia from this scripture. “Achaia”: Located in Asia Minor or modern Turkey.

1Cor. 16:15 “I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and [that] they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints,)” This Scripture shows the good fruits of the church that Paul started in Achaia.

Epaenetus, to whom greetings were sent, is mentioned only here, but is called by Paul my dear friend (lit., “the one loved by me”; cf. Stachys, Rom. 16:9). He was the first convert (lit., “the firstfruits”) to Christ in the province of Asia. Paul reached Asia, the western portion of modern-day Turkey, on his third missionary journey (Acts 19:10), after having been prevented from going there on his second journey (Acts 16:6).