Clarke's Bible Commentary - Romans 16:14
Verse 14. Salute Asyncritus, &c.] Who these were we know not. Hermas was probably the same to whom a work called the Shepherd is attributed; a work with this title is still extant, and may be found among the writings of the apostolical fathers. But it is in vain to look for identity of persons in similarity of names; for, among the Greeks and Romans at this time there were many persons who bore the same names mentioned in this chapter.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 14. Salute Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermas, Patrobas, Hermes , etc..] The two first of these names are Greek, and the persons called by them, with Herodion before mentioned, are taken notice of in the Roman martyrology, as disciples of the apostle; Asyncritus is said to be bishop of Hyrcania, and Phlegon of Marathon, and both of the seventy disciples; (see Gill on Luke 10:1); Hermas is said to be bishop of Philippi, or Aquileia, and brother of Pope Pius the First, and to be the author of the book called Pastor, or the Shepherd, cited by many of the ancients; but all is doubtful and uncertain. Patrobas is a Roman name, Martial makes mention of it f287 ; it seems to be composed of the Greek word pathr , or the Latin pater, and the Syriac aba , Abba, and signifies the same as the other two. This man might be a Jew, whose name was Abba; we often read of R. Abba in the Jewish writings f288 , and as the Jews were wont to have two names, the one Gentile, the other Jewish, Pater might be this man's Gentile name, and Abba his Jewish one, and both being put together, by contraction be called Patrobas; he is said to be of the seventy disciples, and to be bishop of Puteoli; (see Gill on Luke 10:1). The last of them, Hermes, is a Greek name, the same with Mercurius, which the Lystrians called Paul by, in ( Acts 14:12), who he was is not known; he is also mentioned among the seventy disciples, and said to be bishop of Dalmatia: and the brethren which are with them ; these seem to have lived together, with others who were their brethren, not in a natural but spiritual relation, and whom the apostle owned and loved as such.
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 ασυγκριτον 799 N-ASM φλεγοντα 5393 N-ASM ερμαν 2057 N-ASM πατροβαν 3969 N-ASM ερμην 2060 N-ASM και 2532 CONJ τους 3588 T-APM συν 4862 PREP αυτοις 846 P-DPM αδελφους 80 N-APM
Vincent's NT Word Studies
14. Hermes. Or Hermas. A common slave-name, a contraction of several different names, as Hermagoras, Hermogenes, etc. 74
Robertson's NT Word Studies
16:14 {Asyncritus} (Asunkriton). There is an inscription of a freedman of Augustus with this name. {Phlegon} (Phlegonta). No light on this name till the historian of the second century A.D. {hermes} (Hermn). A very common slave name. {Patrobas} (Patroban). Name of a freedman of Nero, abbreviated form of Patrobius. {Hermas} (Herman). Not the author of the Shepherd of Hermas. Common as a slave name, shortened form of Hermagoras, Hermogenes, etc. {The brethren that are with them} (tous sun autois adelfous). Perhaps a little church in the house of some one.
