Bible Strands
Romans 16:5
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 Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Paul writes to the Roman believers while concluding his letter with personal greetings. He addresses the domestic assembly gathering at a specific home and identifies Epenetus as a named recipient.
The words — ἀσπασασθε (aspasasthe) means "do greet" and ἐκκλησίαν (ekklēsian) translates to "church." These terms introduce the direct command to extend salutations to the gathering at a private residence.
The thread — The pattern of house churches appears in Colossians 4:15 and Philemon 1:2, while 1 Corinthians 16:19 links the province of Asia to multiple greeting networks. These passages show early Christian communities organizing around domestic spaces and regional leaders.
Why it lands — The text commands specific greetings to named individuals and house-based assemblies, requiring readers to recognize personal relationships as central to early church structure. It asks readers to acknowledge the tangible, localized nature of Christian fellowship without abstraction.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Salute my wellbeloved Epenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia unto Christ.
Cross-references
- Colossians 4:15 Greet the brothers in Laodicea, as well as Nympha and the church that meets at her house.
- 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.
- Philemon 1:2 to Apphia our sister, to Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church that meets at your house:
- 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,
- Matthew 18:20 For where two or three gather together in My name, there am I with them.”
- Acts 18:12 While Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews coordinated an attack on Paul and brought him before the judgment seat.
- Acts 18:27 When Apollos resolved to cross over to Achaia, the brothers encouraged him and wrote to the disciples there to welcome him. On his arrival, he was a great help to those who by grace had believed.
- Romans 11:16 If the first part of the dough is holy, so is the whole batch; if the root is holy, so are the branches.
- Romans 15:26 For Macedonia and Achaia were pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the saints in Jerusalem.
- Romans 16:8 Greet Ampliatus, my beloved in the Lord.