Romans 16:11 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Greet my kinsman Herodion. Greet those in the Lord who belong to the family of Narcissus.

NIV: Greet Herodion, my fellow Jew. Greet those in the household of Narcissus who are in the Lord.

NASB: Greet Herodion, my kinsman. Greet those of the household of Narcissus, who are in the Lord.

CSB: Greet Herodion, my fellow Jew. Greet those who belong to the household of Narcissus who are in the Lord.

NLT: Greet Herodion, my fellow Jew. Greet the Lord’s people from the household of Narcissus.

KJV: Salute Herodion my kinsman. Greet them that be of the household of Narcissus, which are in the Lord.

NKJV: Greet Herodion, my countryman. Greet those who are of the household of Narcissus who are in the Lord.

Paul continues to list individuals and families to whom he would like his readers to pass on his greetings. Now Paul mentions a man named Herodion. Since this would have been an unusual name in Rome, scholars suggest this may have been either a family member or former slave who served one of the royal lines of the Herods. Since Paul calls him a kinsman or relative, it is assumed the man is Jewish.

Paul also offers his greetings to those in the Lord who belong to the family of a man called Narcissus. Paul does not offer greetings to Narcissus directly. In other words, Paul offers his greeting to the Christian members of this man's family, suggesting that some in the family had not come to faith in Christ. It's possible this is the same Narcissus known from history as a servant to the Roman Emperor Claudius. Claudius died in AD 54. Narcissus is said to have committed suicide sometime later.

Romans 16:1–16 includes a list of two dozen or so people or groups that Paul wants his readers to greet for him in Rome. He begins by introducing them to Phoebe, the lady who will deliver this letter from him in Corinth. He asks them to greet his good friends and longtime partners in work and ministry Prisca—or Priscilla—and Aquila, who have returned to Rome from their time in Asia. Also on the list are close friends, slaves, royal families, and members of the various house churches that meet in Rome.

The final chapter of Romans contains four sections intended to wrap up the letter. Paul commends the woman who will deliver the letter and then sends greetings to many people he knows in Rome. After last-minute, urgent instruction about false teachers, Paul sends greetings to the Roman Christians from those who are with him in Corinth, including Timothy. Paul closes out the letter with a hymn of praise to the God who has revealed to all the nations of the earth the gospel of salvation by faith in Christ Jesus.

Prior verses detailed Paul's plans to visit Rome and asked for prayer. This text concludes his letter to the Christians in Rome with four quick sections. He sends his greetings to a list of people he knows, or at least knows of, in Rome. Paul offers last-minute instruction about false teachers. He sends greetings from those who are with him in Corinth. And he closes out the letter with a beautiful praise hymn to the God who has revealed the mystery of the gospel of Jesus to all nations so that all might obey faith in Jesus.

The book of Romans is the New Testament's longest, most structured, and most detailed description of Christian theology. Paul lays out the core of the gospel message: salvation by grace alone through faith alone. His intent is to explain the good news of Jesus Christ in accurate and clear terms. As part of this effort, Paul addresses the conflicts between law and grace, between Jews and Gentiles, and between sin and righteousness. As is common in his writing, Paul closes out his letter with a series of practical applications.

Accessed 11/21/2024 6:48:29 PM