Romans 16:8–12

Greetings

Greet Ampliatus, whom I love in the Lord. 9  Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in Christ, and my dear friend Stachys. 10  Greet Apelles, tested and approved in Christ. Greet those who belong to the household of Aristobulus. 11  Greet Herodion, my relative. Greet those in the household of Narcissus who are in the Lord.

12  Greet Tryphena and Tryphosa, those women who work hard in the Lord. Greet my dear friend Persis, another woman who has worked very hard in the Lord.

It is a pity we know so little about most of these saints. Paul, however, adds some intriguing tidbits of information that allow us to do some grouping. One feature that leaps out from the list is the number of women who are commended. Paul’s inspired teaching on the role of women has occasionally (and incorrectly) gained him the reputation of being a woman-hater. How far that is from the truth is indicated by the fact that approximately a third of the people greeted here are women—and all are given unreserved praise. The list includes the following women and tributes:

Priscilla: “my fellow [worker] in Christ Jesus . . . risked [her life] for me. Not only I but all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to [her].”

Mary: “worked very hard for you”

Tryphena and Tryphosa: “women who work hard in the Lord”

Persis: “my dear friend . . . another woman who has worked very hard in the Lord”

Rufus’ mother: “who has been a mother to me, too”

Julia Nereus’ sister

It is possible that Rufus' mother was the wife of the Jewish man who carried Jesus' cross, Simon of Cyrene, "the father of Alexander and Rufus" (Mark 15:21).