SEV Biblia, Chapter 16:10
Saludad a Apeles, aprobado en el Cristo. Saludad a los que son de Aristbulo.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Romans 16:10
Verse 10. Apelles, approved in Christ] A man who, on different occasions, had given the highest proofs of the sincerity and depth of his religion. Some suppose that Apelles was the same with Apollos: whoever he was, he had given every demonstration of being a genuine Christian. Of Aristobulus' household.] It is doubted whether this person was converted, as the apostle does not salute him, but his household; or as the margin reads, his friends. He might have been a Roman of considerable distinction, who, though not converted himself, had Christians among his servants or his slaves. But, whatever he was, it is likely that he was dead at this time, and therefore those of his household only are referred to by the apostle.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 10. Salute Apelles approved in Christ , etc..] Origen was in doubt whether this was not the same person with Apollos the Alexandrian Jew, whom Aquila and Priscilla met with at Ephesus; but had he been intended, the apostle would doubtless have said more of him, he being so eminent and remarkable a preacher of the Gospel; though indeed the character here given is very considerable; besides, Apollos did not live at Rome, though it was not impossible he might be there at this time. The name seems to be a Greek one, there was a famous painter of this name in Greece; though it was also used among the Jews, and this person here might possibly, be a Jew; for Horace speaks of one of this name, when he says, credat Judaeus Apella; by whom he means, not, as many have thought, a circumcised Jew in general, but a particular person, a Jew of that name: but it is of no importance whether he was a Jew or a Gentile; some say he was one of the seventy disciples, and bishop of Smyrna; (see Gill on Luke 10:1). However, he was one that was approved in Christ; approved of God in Christ, who approves of none but in Christ; not of any on account of their own commendations, or those of others; for not he that commendeth himself is approved of God, nor whom others commend; and oftentimes what is highly esteemed of men, is abominable in the sight of God; nor does he approve of any on the score of their own works and duties, or as in themselves considered, whose righteousness in as filthy rags, and they themselves polluted and unclean; but as in Christ his well beloved Son, in whom he is well pleased, and with all in him; and so God's elect are, as this man was approved of in him the beloved, even in his own Son, in whom both persons and services are accepted: moreover he was approved of by Christ, and that from eternity, as presented to him in the glass of his Father's purposes and decrees; and in time, as adorned with his own grace, and clothed with his justifying righteousness, and as faithfully serving him in his day and generation: he was also proved to be in Christ; he had proved it to himself, to his own satisfaction, by observing, upon self-examination, that Christ was in him; and he had made it to appear to others, by his faith in Christ, love to him, zeal for him, and close attachment to his Gospel, against all errors and heresies, whereby they are approved are made manifest; and that in the face of all opposition and persecution: he was tried and proved, and so approved by a variety of tribulations and afflictions; his faith remained firm, and he abode by the interest of a Redeemer; and so he was tried, or proved, as the Arabic version renders it, in the religion of Christ; in which he was sincere, upright, and faithful; his faith was unfeigned, his love without dissimulation, he was an Israelite indeed, in whom there was no guile: if a preacher of the word, he did not corrupt it, but in sincerity, and as in the sight of God and Christ, spoke it; and if only a private believer, he was one that desired the sincere milk of the word, and was in all respects a sincere upright man in Christ; so the word here used may be understood, being the reverse of adokimov , reprobate, rejected, spurious, adulterate and disapproved: in a word, this character shows, that he was not only approved of God and Christ, but of all good men, and particularly the apostle; and that on account of his being in Christ, united to him, and closely attached to his service and interest, and was an honour to it: salute them which are of Aristobulus's household . This was also a Greek name, though in use among the Jews; there was one of this name master of Ptolomy, king of Egypt, who was of Jewish extract, and of the priests, In the hundred fourscore and eighth year, the people that were at Jerusalem and in Judea, and the council, and Judas, sent greeting and health unto Aristobulus , king Ptolemeus' master, who was of the stock of the anointed priests, and to the Jews that were in Egypt: (2 Maccabees 1:10) One of the sons of Hyrcanus, the high priest of the Jews, was called by this name; Herod had a son of this name, and it was a name much in use in his family, and among his descendants: who this man was is not known, nor is he himself saluted by the apostle; either because he was now dead, or was absent from Rome at this time; for some say he was sent into Britain, our isle, to preach the Gospel, of which he is said to be bishop, and one of the seventy disciples; (see Gill on Luke 10:1); or perhaps he might not be a believer in Christ, only his household believers, and therefore they only are taken notice of.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-16 - Paul recommends Phebe to the Christians at Rome. It becomes Christian to help one another in their affairs, especially strangers; we know no what help we may need ourselves. Paul asks help for one that had bee helpful to many; he that watereth shall be watered also himself. Thoug the care of all the churches came upon him daily, yet he could remembe many persons, and send salutations to each, with particular character of them, and express concern for them. Lest any should feel themselve hurt, as if Paul had forgotten them, he sends his remembrances to the rest, as brethren and saints, though not named. He adds, in the close a general salutation to them all, in the name of the churches of Christ.
Greek Textus Receptus
ασπασασθε 782 5663 V-ADM-2P απελλην 559 N-ASM τον 3588 T-ASM δοκιμον 1384 A-ASM εν 1722 PREP χριστω 5547 N-DSM ασπασασθε 782 5663 V-ADM-2P τους 3588 T-APM εκ 1537 PREP των 3588 T-GPM αριστοβουλου 711 N-GSM
Vincent's NT Word Studies
10. Apelles. It occurs in Horace as the name of a Jew, under the form Apella ("Satire," 1. 5, 100).Them which are of Aristobulus' household. Possibly household slaves. They might have borne the name of Aristobulus even if they had passed into the service of another master, since household slaves thus transferred, continued to bear the name of their former proprietor. Lightfoot thinks that this Aristobulus may have been the grandson of Herod the Great, who was still living in the time of Claudius.
Robertson's NT Word Studies
16:10 {Apelles} (Apelln). A name among Jews and a famous tragic actor also. {The approved} (ton dokimon). The tried and true (#1Co 11:19; 2Co 10:18; 13:7). {Them which are of the household of Aristobulus} (tous ek twn aristoboulou). The younger Aristobulus was a grandson of Herod the Great. Lightfoot suggests that some of the servants in this household had become Christians, Aristobulus being dead.
