Romans 16:15–16: Greet Philologus and Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints who are with them. Greet one another with a holy kiss. The churches of Christ greet you.
Julia may have been the wife of Philologus. Two other husband-wife teams were Priscilla and Aquila (v. 3) and (possibly) Andronicus and Junias (v. 7). Nereus and his sister were then greeted, though the sister’s name is not given. And finally, greetings were sent to Olympas and all the saints with him. This group may have been the leaders of another house church (cf. v. 14). Of all these individuals only Priscilla and Aquila are mentioned elsewhere in the New Testament for certain; yet Paul knew them all individually and sent personal greetings to them and their associates. Paul cannot properly be charged with not being “a people person.” He closed this section with the command, Greet one another with a holy kiss, the mode of salutation similar to the handshake today and with a general word of salutation, All the churches of Christ send greetings (lit., “greet you”). 1
Application
Think of one married couple and one unmarried person that you know personally. Has God recently put them on your heart? Have you been praying for them?
- Send a text or email or card to them today. Greet them with encouraging words, or a Scripture verse. Let them know of their importance in the Body of Christ.
Prayer
Lord, I am so thankful for the many believers that serve You faithfully.
1. Walvoord, John F., & Zuck, R. B., Dallas Theological Seminary. (1985). The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
