Romans 16:11-16 - More Greetings

Romans 16:11-16 (KJV)
¹¹ Salute Herodion my kinsman. Greet them that be of the household of Narcissus, which are in the Lord.
¹² Salute Tryphena and Tryphosa, who labour in the Lord. Salute the beloved Persis, which laboured much in the Lord.
¹³ Salute Rufus chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine.
¹⁴ Salute Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermas, Patrobas, Hermes, and the brethren which are with them.
¹⁵ Salute Philologus, and Julia, Nereus, and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints which are with them.
¹⁶ Salute one another with an holy kiss. The churches of Christ salute you.

Paul continued his greetings in verse 11 by mentioning Herodion, his kinsman, who possibly had some connection to the Herod family. Next he greeted those of the household of Narcissus who were believers. Next he greeted Tryphena and Tryphosa, two women who labored in the work of the Lord (verse 12). He also greeted the beloved Persis, another woman who labored in the Lord's work. In verse 13 Paul greeted Rufus, who was chosen in the Lord (perhaps meaning distinguished?).

Mark 15:21 (KJV)
²¹ And they compel one Simon a Cyrenian, who passed by, coming out of the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to bear his cross.

This Rufus, whose father helped to carry Yeshua's cross, may be the same as the one Paul now greeted.

At the same time, the greeting was extended to Rufus' mother. Paul apparently felt so connected to this woman that he referred to her as "his own." Paul then greeted Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermas, Patrobas, Hermes, and the fellow believers that were with them (verse 14). He also greeted Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints (believers) that are with them (verse 15). Julia and the sister of Nereus were two more women that Paul mentioned.

Then in verse 16 Paul tells his Roman readers to greet one another with an holy kiss, which was a Middle-Eastern custom. These greetings were also to be understood as coming from all the other congregations of Messiah.

Next, Paul would give some further advise.