Romans 16:10: Greet Apelles, approved in Christ. Greet those who are of the household of Aristobulus.
Apelles is the approved one. His is either a Greek or a Jewish name—the name was a common one among the Jews. He had stood some outstanding test. Tradition identifies him as bishop either of Smyrna or Heracleia. Aristobulus has been identified by Bishop Lightfoot as the grandson of Herod the Great. Or possibly he was a slave who took the name of his master—we can’t be sure of this. 1
Application
Read Ephesians 1:3-7.
- Do you believe that you have been “approved” in Christ?
- How great is His blessings for you? (v.3)
- When did He choose you? (v.4)
- Who makes you holy and blameless for heaven? (v.4)
- When were you adopted, who adopted you, and why were you adopted? (v.5)
- If God accepted you, who could ever reject you? (v.6)
- Think about these words often: redemption, blood, forgiveness, and grace. (v.7)
Prayer
Lord, help me to mediate on these wonderful truths everyday.
1. McGee, J. V. (1991). Thru the Bible commentary: The Epistles Romans, Nashville: Thomas Nelson.