Christian. The apostle presents two considerations to enforce this ex- hortation; first, regard for their Christian character; and, secondly, the service which Phebe had rendered to others. As hecometh saints ,• this expression at once describes the manner in which they ought to receive her, and suggests the motive for so doing. And that ye assist her in whatsoever business she hath 7ieed of you. They were not only to receive her with courtesy and affection, but to aid her in any way in which she required their assistance. The words in whatsoever business are to be taken very generally, in whatever matter, or in whatever respect. For she hath been a succourer of many, and of myself also. The word sue- courer means a patroness, a benefactor ; it is a highly honourable title. As she had so frequently aided others, it was but reasonable that she should be assisted.
(3) Salute Priscilla and Aquila, my helpers in Christ Jesus, i. e. my fellow labourers in the promotion of the gospel. Aquila and Priscilla are mentioned in Acts 18 : 2, as having left Rome in consequence of the edict of Claudius. After remaining at Ephesus a long time, it seems that they had returned to Rome, and were there when Paul wrote this letter, Acts 18 : 18, 26. 1 Cor. 16 ; 19. 2 Tim. 4 : 19.
(4) Who have for my life laid down their own necks, i. e. they ex- posed themselves to imminent peril to save me. On what occasion this was done is not recorded. Unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles. Their courageous and disinterested conduct must have been generally known, and called forth the grateful acknowledgments of all the churches interested in the preservation of a life so precious as that of the apostle.
(5) The church that is in their house. These words are understood, by many of the Greek and modern commentators, to mean their Chris- tian family. The most common and natural interpretation is, ' the church which is accustomed to assemble in their house ;' see 1 Cor. 16: 19, where this same expression occurs in reference to Aquila and Pris- cilla. It is probable that, from his occupation as tent maker, he had better accommodations for the meetings of the church than most other Christians.
Salute my well beloved Epeneius, who is the first-fruits of Achaia unto Christ. This passage is not irreconcilable with 1 Cor. 16 : 15, " Ye know the household of Stephanas, that it is the first-fruits of Achaia ;" for Epenetus may have belonged to this family. So many of the oldest MSS. and versions, however, read Asia instead oi Achaia in this verse, that the great majority of editors have adopted that reading. This, of course, removes even the appearance of contradiction.
(6, 7) Greet Mary ; who bestowed much labour upon us. Salute An-
dronicus and Junia, my kinsmen and my fellow prisoners. It is very
doubtful whether Junia be the name of a man or of a woman, as the form
in which it occurs (^lowiav) admits of either explanation. If a man's
ame, it is Junias ; if a woman's, it is Junia. It is commonly taken as a