What is the meaning of Romans 16:3? Greet • Paul opens this verse with a simple command: “Greet.” In the body of Christ, greetings are more than polite words; they are acts of love that testify to our unity. Romans is a letter, yet Paul pauses repeatedly to acknowledge believers by name (Romans 16:16: “Greet one another with a holy kiss”). • Scripture shows that greeting fellow saints is a tangible expression of fellowship (1 Thessalonians 5:26; 1 Peter 5:14). • Warm, intentional greetings remind us that no believer is anonymous in God’s family (Hebrews 13:1). Prisca and Aquila • Prisca (Priscilla) and Aquila first appear in Acts 18:2-3 as a Jewish couple Paul meets in Corinth after they were expelled from Rome. They shared the same trade—tentmaking—and quickly became close ministry partners. • Their home was always open to the church (1 Corinthians 16:19: “Aquila and Prisca greet you warmly in the Lord, along with the church that meets at their house”). • Years later Paul still treasures their friendship (2 Timothy 4:19). Their consistency across decades models steadfast devotion. my fellow workers • Paul calls them “my fellow workers,” highlighting shared labor rather than hierarchy. Ministry is never a solo project (1 Corinthians 3:9: “For we are God’s fellow workers”). • Aquila and Prisca once “risked their own necks” for Paul (Romans 16:4). Genuine partnership often involves sacrifice, hospitality, and hands-on service. • Other believers also receive the same title—Timothy (Romans 16:21) and Epaphroditus (Philippians 2:25)—showing the value Paul places on teamwork. in Christ Jesus • The phrase grounds everything: their relationship to Paul and to one another exists “in Christ Jesus.” Union with Christ defines identity, purpose, and mission (Romans 8:1; Galatians 3:28). • Because they are in Christ, their varied backgrounds—Jew and Gentile, man and woman, apostle and tentmakers—blend into a single calling. • All fruitful labor flows from this union (John 15:5). Ministry is not merely cooperative effort; it is empowered life together in the Lord. summary Romans 16:3 shows Paul’s heartfelt, Christ-centered appreciation for Prisca and Aquila. By urging the church to greet them, he underscores the warmth of Christian fellowship; by naming them as fellow workers, he honors their sacrificial partnership; and by locating their service “in Christ Jesus,” he reminds us that all genuine ministry springs from our shared life in Him. |
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