ACC ~ Romans 16 v7

FELLOW PRISONERS. ORIGEN: It may be that these were Paul’s kinsmen according to the flesh, but the expression “my fellow prisoners” is what fascinates me. When was Paul in captivity? It seems that this was the captivity of sin and that they were together with him in the blindness of unbelief. When Christ came they were set free, as was Paul. COMMENTARY ON THE EPISTLE TO THE ROMANS.

PAUL’S KINSMEN. AMBROSIASTER: They were Paul’s kinsmen in flesh and in Spirit, as the angel said to Mary: “Behold, your kinswoman Elizabeth.” COMMENTARY ON PAUL’S EPISTLES.

A WOMAN WORTHY TO BE CALLED AN APOSTLE. CHRYSOSTOM: It was the greatest of honors to be counted a fellow prisoner of Paul’s. … Think what great praise it was to be considered of note among the apostles. These two were of note because of their works and achievements. Think how great the devotion of this woman Junia must have been, that she should be worthy to be called an apostle! But even here Paul does not stop his praise, for they were Christians before he was. HOMILIES ON ROMANS 31.

THEY WERE IN CHRIST BEFORE ME. THEODORET OF CYR: 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.

Rom