Romans 16:5
New International Version
Greet also the church that meets at their house. Greet my dear friend Epenetus, who was the first convert to Christ in the province of Asia.

New Living Translation
Also give my greetings to the church that meets in their home. Greet my dear friend Epenetus. He was the first person from the province of Asia to become a follower of Christ.

English Standard Version
Greet also the church in their house. Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who was the first convert to Christ in Asia.

Berean Standard Bible
Greet also the church that meets at their house. Greet my beloved Epenetus, who was the first convert to Christ in the province of Asia.

Berean Literal Bible
and the church at their house. Greet Epenetus, my beloved, who is a firstfruit of Asia for Christ.

King James Bible
Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Salute my wellbeloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia unto Christ.

New King James Version
Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia to Christ.

New American Standard Bible
also greet the church that is in their house. Greet Epaenetus, my beloved, who is the first convert to Christ from Asia.

NASB 1995
also greet the church that is in their house. Greet Epaenetus, my beloved, who is the first convert to Christ from Asia.

NASB 1977
also greet the church that is in their house. Greet Epaenetus, my beloved, who is the first convert to Christ from Asia.

Legacy Standard Bible
also greet the church that is in their house. Greet Epaenetus, my beloved, who is the first convert to Christ from Asia.

Amplified Bible
Also greet the church that meets in their house. Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who is the first convert to Christ from [the west coast province of] Asia [Minor].

Christian Standard Bible
Greet also the church that meets in their home. Greet my dear friend Epaenetus, who is the first convert to Christ from Asia.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Greet also the church that meets in their home. Greet my dear friend Epaenetus, who is the first convert to Christ from Asia.

American Standard Version
and salute the church that is in their house. Salute Ep�netus my beloved, who is the first-fruits of Asia unto Christ.

Contemporary English Version
Greet the church that meets in their home. Greet my dear friend Epaenetus, who was the first person in Asia to have faith in Christ.

English Revised Version
and salute the church that is in their house. Salute Epaenetus my beloved, who is the firstfruits of Asia unto Christ.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Also greet the church that meets in their house. Greet my dear friend Epaenetus. He was the first person in the province of Asia to become a believer in Christ.

Good News Translation
Greetings also to the church that meets in their house. Greetings to my dear friend Epaenetus, who was the first in the province of Asia to believe in Christ.

International Standard Version
Greet also the church in their house. Greet my dear friend Epaenetus, who was the first convert to the Messiah in Asia.

Majority Standard Bible
Greet also the church that meets at their house. Greet my beloved Epenetus, who was the first convert to Christ in Achaia.

NET Bible
Also greet the church in their house. Greet my dear friend Epenetus, who was the first convert to Christ in the province of Asia.

New Heart English Bible
Greet the church that is in their house. Greet Epaenetus, my beloved, who is the first fruits of Asia to Christ.

Webster's Bible Translation
Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Salute my well-beloved Epenetus, who is the first-fruits of Achaia to Christ.

Weymouth New Testament
Greetings, too, to the Church that meets at their house. Greetings to my dear Epaenetus, who was the earliest convert to Christ in the province of Asia;

World English Bible
Greet the assembly that is in their house. Greet Epaenetus, my beloved, who is the first fruits of Achaia to Christ.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and the assembly at their house; greet Epaenetus, my beloved, who is first-fruit of Achaia to Christ.

Berean Literal Bible
and the church at their house. Greet Epenetus, my beloved, who is a firstfruit of Asia for Christ.

Young's Literal Translation
and the assembly at their house; salute Epaenetus, my beloved, who is first-fruit of Achaia to Christ.

Smith's Literal Translation
And the church in their house. Embrace my beloved Epenetus, who is the first fruits of Achaia to Christ.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And the church which is in their house. Salute Epenetus, my beloved: who is the firstfruits of Asia in Christ.

Catholic Public Domain Version
and greet the church at their house. Greet Epaenetus, my beloved, who is among the first-fruits of Asia in Christ.

New American Bible
greet also the church at their house. Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who was the firstfruits in Asia for Christ.

New Revised Standard Version
Greet also the church in their house. Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who was the first convert in Asia for Christ.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Likewise salute the congregation that is in their house. Salute my well beloved E-pæn'etus, who is the first-fruits of A-cha’ia unto Christ.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And give greetings to the church that is in their house. Invoke the peace of Epentos my beloved, who is the first fruits of Akaia in The Messiah.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
and salute the church that is in their house. Salute Epenetus my beloved, who is the first fruits of Asia to Christ.

Godbey New Testament
and the church in their house. Salute Epaenetus my beloved, who is the first fruit of Asia unto Christ.

Haweis New Testament
and the church which is in their house.Salute Epinetus my beloved, who is the first-fruits of Achaia unto Christ.

Mace New Testament
salute the church that is in their house, salute my dear Epenetus, who is the first christian convert of Asia.

Weymouth New Testament
Greetings, too, to the Church that meets at their house. Greetings to my dear Epaenetus, who was the earliest convert to Christ in the province of Asia;

Worrell New Testament
and salute the assembly that is in her house. Salute Epaenetus my beloved, who is the first-fruit of Asia unto Christ.

Worsley New Testament
and the church in their house. Salute my beloved Epenetus, who is the first-fruits of Achaia unto Christ.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Personal Greetings and Love
4who have risked their lives for me. Not only I but all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them. 5Greet also the church that meets at their house. Greet my beloved Epenetus, who was the first convert to Christ in the province of Asia. 6Greet Mary, who has worked very hard for you.…

Cross References
1 Corinthians 16:19
The churches in the province of Asia send you greetings. Aquila and Prisca greet you warmly in the Lord, and so does the church that meets at their house.

Acts 18:2
There he found a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla because Claudius had ordered all the Jews to leave Rome. Paul went to visit them,

1 Corinthians 16:15
You know that Stephanas and his household were the first converts in Achaia, and they have devoted themselves to the service of the saints. Now I urge you, brothers,

Colossians 4:15
Greet the brothers in Laodicea, as well as Nympha and the church that meets at her house.

Philemon 1:2
to Apphia our sister, to Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church that meets at your house:

Acts 16:40
After Paul and Silas came out of the prison, they went to Lydia’s house to see the brothers and encourage them. Then they left the city.

Acts 20:20
I did not shrink back from declaring anything that was helpful to you as I taught you publicly and from house to house,

1 Corinthians 1:16
Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas; beyond that I do not remember if I baptized anyone else.

1 Corinthians 11:18
First of all, I hear that when you come together as a church, there are divisions among you, and in part I believe it.

1 Corinthians 14:23
So if the whole church comes together and everyone speaks in tongues, and some who are uninstructed or some unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are out of your minds?

1 Corinthians 14:26
What then shall we say, brothers? When you come together, everyone has a psalm or a teaching, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. All of these must be done to build up the church.

Matthew 18:20
For where two or three gather together in My name, there am I with them.”

Acts 2:46
With one accord they continued to meet daily in the temple courts and to break bread from house to house, sharing their meals with gladness and sincerity of heart,

Acts 5:42
Every day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they did not stop teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ.

Acts 12:12
And when he had realized this, he went to the house of Mary the mother of John, also called Mark, where many people had gathered together and were praying.


Treasury of Scripture

Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Salute my well-beloved Epaenetus, who is the first fruits of Achaia to Christ.

the church.

Matthew 18:20
For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

1 Corinthians 16:19
The churches of Asia salute you. Aquila and Priscilla salute you much in the Lord, with the church that is in their house.

Colossians 4:15
Salute the brethren which are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the church which is in his house.

my.

Romans 16:8,12
Greet Amplias my beloved in the Lord…

3 John 1:1
The elder unto the wellbeloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth.

who.

Romans 11:16
For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches.

1 Corinthians 16:15
I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints,)

James 1:18
Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

Achaia.

Romans 15:26
For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem.

Acts 18:12,27
And when Gallio was the deputy of Achaia, the Jews made insurrection with one accord against Paul, and brought him to the judgment seat, …

2 Corinthians 1:1
Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, unto the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints which are in all Achaia:

Jump to Previous
Achaia Asia Assembly Beloved Christ Church Convert Dear Earliest First Firstfruits First-Fruits Friend Fruit Fruits Greet Greetings House Kind Likewise Meets Province Salute Well-Beloved Word
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Achaia Asia Assembly Beloved Christ Church Convert Dear Earliest First Firstfruits First-Fruits Friend Fruit Fruits Greet Greetings House Kind Likewise Meets Province Salute Well-Beloved Word
Romans 16
1. Paul wills the brothers to greet many;
17. and advises them to take heed of those which cause dissension and offenses;
21. and after various salutations ends with praise and thanks to God.














Greet also the church that meets at their house.
In the early Christian era, churches often met in private homes due to the lack of formal church buildings and the need for discretion amidst persecution. This practice is evident in several New Testament references, such as Philemon 1:2 and Colossians 4:15. The house church mentioned here likely belonged to Priscilla and Aquila, a prominent Christian couple who played a significant role in the early church (Romans 16:3). This setting reflects the intimate and communal nature of early Christian worship, emphasizing fellowship and shared resources. Archaeological findings in regions like Ephesus and Corinth have uncovered homes with large rooms that could accommodate gatherings, supporting the historical context of house churches.

Greet my beloved Epenetus,
Epenetus is described with affection by Paul, indicating a close personal relationship. The term "beloved" suggests a deep bond, possibly due to shared ministry or significant contributions to the church. This personal greeting highlights the importance of individual relationships within the body of Christ, as seen in other Pauline letters where he often names and commends specific individuals (Philippians 2:25-30, Colossians 4:7-14). Epenetus's mention underscores the value of each member in the early church community, regardless of their role or status.

who was the first convert to Christ in the province of Asia.
Epenetus holds the distinction of being the first convert in the Roman province of Asia, which included cities like Ephesus, Smyrna, and Pergamum. This region was a significant center for early Christian evangelism, as evidenced by Paul's missionary journeys (Acts 19:10). The conversion of Epenetus marks the beginning of the spread of Christianity in Asia Minor, a fulfillment of the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20). His conversion can be seen as a type of firstfruits, a concept rooted in Old Testament offerings (Leviticus 23:10), symbolizing the initial yield of a larger harvest to come. This aligns with the prophetic vision of the gospel reaching the ends of the earth (Isaiah 49:6).

Persons / Places / Events
1. The Church at Their House
This refers to a group of believers who gathered in a private home for worship and fellowship. House churches were common in the early Christian era due to the lack of formal church buildings.

2. Epaenetus
Described as "my beloved" by Paul, Epaenetus holds the distinction of being the first convert to Christianity in the province of Asia, which is modern-day western Turkey.

3. Province of Asia
A Roman province in what is now western Turkey. It was a significant area for early Christian missionary activity.
Teaching Points
The Importance of House Churches
Early Christians often met in homes, which fostered close-knit communities. Today, small groups or home Bible studies can provide similar intimacy and support.

The Role of First Converts
Epaenetus, as the first convert in Asia, likely played a crucial role in spreading the Gospel. New believers today can be powerful witnesses in their communities.

Personal Relationships in Ministry
Paul’s affectionate mention of Epaenetus as "my beloved" underscores the importance of personal relationships in ministry. Building strong, loving relationships can enhance the effectiveness of our witness.

The Spread of the Gospel
The mention of Epaenetus highlights the geographical spread of Christianity. We are called to continue this mission, reaching out to new areas and people groups.(5) The church that is in their house.--A party of Christians seem to have been in the habit of meeting in the house of Aquila and Priscilla for purposes of worship at Rome, as previously at Ephesus (1Corinthians 16:19). Similar instances may be found in Acts 12:12; Colossians 4:15; Philemon 1:2.

Salute.--The same word in the Greek is translated indifferently by "salute" and "greet," an unnecessary caprice.

Firstfruits of Achaia.--For "Achaia" we ought certainly to read "Asia"--i.e., the Roman province of Asia, a broad strip of territory including the whole western end of the peninsula of Asia Minor, from the Propontis in the north, to Lycia in the south. Ephesus was the capital, and the seven "churches in Asia" to which St. John wrote in the Apocalypse--Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, Laodicea--were the most central and important of its cities.

By "firstfruits of Asia" is meant one of the first converts won over to Christianity in Asia. (Comp. "firstfruits of Achaia," in 1Corinthians 16:15, through the parallelism of which the text of our own passage became corrupted.) . . .

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
[Greet also]
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

the
τὴν (tēn)
Article - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

church
ἐκκλησίαν (ekklēsian)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1577: From a compound of ek and a derivative of kaleo; a calling out, i.e. a popular meeting, especially a religious congregation.

[that meets] at
κατ’ (kat’)
Preposition
Strong's 2596: A primary particle; down, in varied relations (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined).

their
αὐτῶν (autōn)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

house.
οἶκον (oikon)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3624: A dwelling; by implication, a family.

Greet
Ἀσπάσασθε (Aspasasthe)
Verb - Aorist Imperative Middle - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 782: To greet, salute, pay my respects to, welcome. To enfold in the arms, i.e. to salute, to welcome.

my
μου (mou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

beloved
ἀγαπητόν (agapēton)
Adjective - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 27: From agapao; beloved.

Epenetus,
Ἐπαίνετον (Epaineton)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 1866: Epaenetus, a Christian of Rome. From epaineo; praised; Epaenetus, a Christian.

who
ὅς (hos)
Personal / Relative Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3739: Who, which, what, that.

was
ἐστιν (estin)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

the first [convert]
ἀπαρχὴ (aparchē)
Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 536: From a compound of apo and archomai; a beginning of sacrifice, i.e. The first-fruit.

to
εἰς (eis)
Preposition
Strong's 1519: A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.

Christ
Χριστόν (Christon)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5547: Anointed One; the Messiah, the Christ. From chrio; Anointed One, i.e. The Messiah, an epithet of Jesus.

in [the province of] Asia.
Ἀσίας (Asias)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 773: Asia, i.e. Asia Minor, or only its western shore.


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NT Letters: Romans 16:5 Greet the assembly that is in their (Rom. Ro)
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