The New Tribe of the Redeemed

“Greet Mary, who has worked hard for you. Greet Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen and my fellow prisoners. They are well known to the apostles, and they were in Christ before me. Greet Ampliatus, my beloved in the Lord. Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in Christ, and my beloved Stachys. Greet Apelles, who is approved in Christ. Greet those who belong to the family of Aristobulus. Greet my kinsman Herodion. Greet those in the Lord who belong to the family of Narcissus. Greet those workers in the Lord, Tryphaena and Tryphosa. Greet the beloved Persis, who has worked hard in the Lord. Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord; also his mother, who has been a mother to me as well. Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the brothers who are with them. Greet Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints who are with them. Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ greet you.” -Romans 16:6–16

Paul continues to wrap of the letter with a lengthy passage of greetings to his friends and fellows in Christ who are residing in Rome. Though there is some speculations and a not a few educated theories about the various people listed here, what is most important is that Paul viewed these as dear saints as being fellows with him in the new humanity, the redeemed of Christ.

He referes to Andronicus and Junia not only as kinsman, for perhaps there was some blood relation, but also fellow prisoners. There is some special bond that develops between those who suffer together for the sake of righteousness and Paul counts these among that special rank. He also says that they were well-known to the apostles. The Greek word is the same as that used for the twelve disciples of Jesus, but most translators translate ἀποστόλοις here in minuscule because Paul seems here to be using the word to refer to those who are sent out of the church to plant churches rather than the Twelve, the original disciples of Jesus.

Other descriptive expressions Paul uses in his list are beloved, fellow worker, approved in Christ, family, kinsman, those in the Lord, those who have worked hard, chosen in the Lord, mother to me, brothers, sister, and saints. Each of this descriptions says something about their gifts and ministries for the cause of Christ and all of them are terms of endearment.

In conclusion, Paul exhorts the entire church to greet one another with a holy kiss, an intimate, familial expression of affection. In return, he greets them on behalf of all the churches of Christ, reminding them they are part of an even larger family of believers, the new tribe of the redeemed.