SEV Biblia, Chapter 16:7
Saludad a Andrnico y a Junias, mis parientes, (y mis compaeros en la cautividad) los cuales son insignes entre los apstoles; los cuales fueron antes de mí en el Ungido.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Romans 16:7
Verse 7. Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen] As the word suggeneiv signifies relatives, whether male or female, and as Junia may probably be the name of a woman, the wife of Andronicus, it would be better to say relatives than kinsmen. But probably St. Paul means no more than that they were Jews; for, in chap. ix. 3, he calls all the Jews his kinsmen according to the flesh. My fellow prisoners] As Paul was in prison often, it is likely that these persons shared this honour with him on some occasion, which is not distinctly marked.
Of note among the apostles] Whether this intimates that they were noted apostles or only highly reputed by the apostles, is not absolutely clear; but the latter appears to me the most probable. They were not only well known to St. Paul, but also to the rest of the apostles.
In Christ before me.] That is, they were converted to Christianity before Paul was; probably at the day of pentecost, or by the ministry of Christ himself, or by that of the seventy disciples.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 7. Salute Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen , etc..] According to the flesh, being perhaps not only of the same nation, Jews, but also of the same tribe, the tribe of Benjamin, and even of the same family, and might be nearly allied in blood. And though the apostle did not value himself upon his carnal descent, yet he had a very great value and affection for his relations after the flesh, even though they were only of the same nation; (see Romans 9:3); and especially for such as were partakers of the grace of God, as these his kinsmen were. These were their Gentile names, the one Greek, the other Latin; but both were Jews. Grotius thinks that their Jewish names were, the one Masinissa, and the other Naarah; and that the latter was the wife of the former, but they rather seem both to be men; Junia should be read Junias, a contraction of Junilius: and my fellow prisoners ; either at Philippi, or in some other place; for though we read only of the apostle's being in prison at that place, and at Rome, yet it is certain from his own account, ( 2 Corinthians 11:23); that he was frequently imprisoned; and Clement of Rome says, he was seven times in bonds f280 , at one of which times these were bound with him, but when and where is not known. This is a greater character of them, and a greater honour to them, than to be called his kinsmen after the flesh: who are of note among the apostles ; were well known by, and in great account with the twelve apostles, though not of their number; they might be converted by them, and be followers of them in Judea; they are thought by some to be of the number of the seventy disciples, whom Christ himself sent forth to preach: Andronicus particularly is mentioned among them, and said to be bishop of Pannonia, or rather of Spain; (see Gill on Luke 10:1); however, they might be preachers of the Gospel, and be persons of great fame and renown as such; for which reason they might be called apostles, that being a name sometimes given to ordinary ministers of the word, and to such who were messengers of the churches, ( Corinthians 8:23), as these might be, and were famous for their prudent, faithful, and diligent discharge of their office and duty: who also were in Christ before me ; which is to be understood, not of their secret being in Christ, as being loved by him, chosen in him, given to him, and represented by him in the covenant of grace; for they had not a place in Christ's heart, or a share in his love before him; wherefore the Arabic version is not only a bad one, but carries a false sense in it; which renders the clause thus, who were in the love of Christ before me: nor were they chosen in Christ before him, for all the elect were chosen together in him before the foundation of the world; nor were they given to him, put into his hands, and made his care and charge before him; nor were they considered in Christ as their covenant head before him; Christ became their surety for them together, and received grace, blessings, and promises for them, and they in him before the world began; and was their common head and representative in time, in their nature; and they were all together crucified, buried, and raised with him, and set down with him in heavenly places together. But they were in the profession of faith, and in the church of Christ, and in the ministry of the word before him, being converted and brought to the faith of Christ before he was; which is the saints' open being in Christ, and is the effect and evidence of their being secretly in him from everlasting: this is to be created in Christ, or made new creatures in him; to be brought to believe in him, and even into him for righteousness, pardon, peace, acceptance, and eternal life, which are in him; and to live upon him, and in him, and derive all light and life, grace and strength, joy, peace, and comfort from him, as the branch derives its sap and nourishment from the vine, in which it is; and in this sense these men were in Christ before the apostle; they were converted persons, professors of religion, members of a church, and Gospel ministers before him: and though this is nothing in the business of salvation, who is called first or last; the one is equally as safe and as happy as the other; the thief that was called at the last hour, and the last man that will be called by grace in the world; yet it is a great blessing and mercy to be converted early; hereby a multitude of sins is prevented, and more, service done for Christ. And doubtless the apostle had this in view, and therefore gives these his kinsmen the preference to himself, that whilst he was a blasphemer of Christ, a persecutor of his people, and injurious to his interest, these made a profession of his name, preached his Gospel, and served his cause: it shows also, that they were persevering Christians, were pillars in the house of God, and never went out; and on account of their constancy and long standing, were worthy of respect. The apostle rises gradually in the character of these persons; as it was more to be fellow prisoners with him than to be his kinsmen, so it was more to be of note among the apostles, or to be eminent preachers of the Gospel, than to be fellow prisoners with him; and it was more to be in Christ than them all, than to be Paul's kinsmen, fellow prisoners with him, or to be known and approved of by the apostles, to be messengers of churches, preachers of the word, or even to be apostles themselves, and the chiefest of them; for such are blessed with all spiritual blessings in Christ, are complete and perfect in him, are safe and secure, and can never perish; and being once in Christ, are always in him, and will be found in him living and dying, and at judgment.
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 ανδρονικον 408 N-ASM και 2532 CONJ ιουνιαν 2458 N-ASF τους 3588 T-APM συγγενεις 4773 A-APM μου 3450 P-1GS και 2532 CONJ συναιχμαλωτους 4869 A-APM μου 3450 P-1GS οιτινες 3748 R-NPM εισιν 1526 5748 V-PXI-3P επισημοι 1978 A-NPM εν 1722 PREP τοις 3588 T-DPM αποστολοις 652 N-DPM οι 3739 R-NPM και 2532 CONJ προ 4253 PREP εμου 1700 P-1GS γεγονασιν 1096 5754 V-2RAI-3P εν 1722 PREP χριστω 5547 N-DSM
Vincent's NT Word Studies
7. Andronicus and Junia. The latter name may be either masculine or feminine. If the latter, the person was probably the wife of Andronicus. If the former, the name is to be rendered Junias, as Rev. The following words point to this conclusion.Kinsmen (suggeneiv). The primary meaning is related by blood; but it is used in the wider sense of fellow-countrymen. So ch. ix. 3.
Of note (epishmoi). A good rendering etymologically, the word meaning, literally, bearing a mark (shma, nota).
Fellow prisoners (sunaicmalwtouv). See on captives, Luke iv. 18.
Robertson's NT Word Studies
16:7 {Andronicus and Junias} (Andronicou kai Iounian). The first is a Greek name found even in the imperial household. The second name can be either masculine or feminine. {Kinsmen} (suggeneis). Probably only fellow-countrymen as in #9:13. {Fellow-prisoners} (sunaicmalwtus). Late word and rare (in Lucian). One of Paul's frequent compounds with sun. Literally, fellow captives in war. Perhaps they had shared one of Paul's numerous imprisonments (#2Co 11:23). In N.T. only here, #Phm 1:23; Col 4:10. {Of note} (epismoi). Stamped, marked (epi sema). Old word, only here and #Mt 27:16 (bad sense) in N.T. {Among the apostles} (en tois apostolois). Naturally this means that they are counted among the apostles in the general sense true of Barnabas, James, the brother of Christ, Silas, and others. But it can mean simply that they were famous in the circle of the apostles in the technical sense. {Who have been in Christ before me} (hoi kai pro emou gegonan en Christ"i). Andronicus and Junias were converted before Paul was. Note gegonan (_Koin_ form by analogy) instead of the usual second perfect active indicative form gegonasin, which some MSS. have. The perfect tense notes that they are still in Christ.
