16:1 Phebe. Phebe is the first of thirty-five personal names mentioned in this last chapter of Paul’s letter to the Romans, most of whom are mentioned nowhere else in Scripture. The reason why so much apparently personal information was included in the Scriptures by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit is probably to illustrate the Spirit’s concern with individuals. The names of all the redeemed are written in God’s book in heaven (Luke 10:20; Philippians 4:3); as a token of this fact, the names of some of these saints are written in God’s book on earth.

16:1 servant. The Greek here is diakonos, usually translated as “deacon.” Evidently, Phebe was a deaconess of the Cenchrean church. Almost certainly it was she who carried Paul’s epistle from Cenchrea, the seaport of Corinth, to Rome, for Paul.

16:3 Priscilla and Aquila. Paul first met Priscilla and Aquila at Corinth (Acts 18:1-2), but they had originally come from Rome, and apparently had gone back to Rome and were there at the time Paul wrote his letter.

16:7 kinsmen. Not only Andronicus and Junia, but also Herodion (Romans 16:11), Jason and Sosipater (Romans 16:21) are said to be Paul’s “kinsmen.” Although the word normally refers to blood relatives, it can be extended to include fellow countrymen.