Romans 16:11 – “Greet Herodion, my fellow Jew. Greet those in the household of Narcissus who are in the Lord.”

Extended Explanation

In this verse, Paul sends greetings to Herodion, whom he calls “my fellow Jew” (literally “my kinsman” in Greek). This likely means that Herodion was a Jewish Christian, possibly a distant relative of Paul or simply a fellow Jew by heritage. His mention suggests that he was an active and faithful member of the Christian community in Rome.

Paul also greets “those in the household of Narcissus who are in the Lord.” This means that within the household of a man named Narcissus, there were believers who had given their lives to Christ. Paul specifically acknowledges these Christians rather than Narcissus himself, which suggests that Narcissus may not have been a believer, or he may have been deceased.

This verse highlights the growing diversity of the church in Rome, where people from various backgrounds—including Jews and Gentiles, servants and free citizens—were coming to faith in Jesus Christ. It also reminds us that faith can take root in unexpected places, even within households where not everyone follows Christ.

Historical Context

The name Herodion suggests a connection to the family or supporters of Herod the Great, the ruler of Judea during Jesus’ birth. While we cannot be sure, Herodion may have been part of the extended network of Jews who were connected to the Herodian dynasty. If so, this would mean that even among people associated with Roman power, the gospel was spreading.

Narcissus was a common Roman name, but historical records suggest that there was a well-known Narcissus who served as a high-ranking official under Emperor Claudius. If this is the same Narcissus, his household would have included many servants and workers. When Paul greets “those in the household of Narcissus who are in the Lord,” it likely means that some of these servants had become Christians while working in a wealthy or politically connected home.

This would not have been unusual—throughout the Roman Empire, many early Christians were slaves or servants who came to faith in Christ despite living in households where their masters were not believers.

Theological Implications

1. God calls people from all backgrounds. The mention of Herodion (a Jew) and the household of Narcissus (likely Gentiles) shows that the gospel is for everyone, regardless of background or status.
2. Faith can grow in unexpected places. Even in a Roman official’s household, where people were surrounded by power and politics, the gospel was taking root. This reminds us that no environment is beyond God’s reach.
3. Christians should honor and acknowledge one another. Paul takes the time to greet these believers by name, showing that the church is not just an institution but a family where individuals matter.

Literary Analysis

Romans 16 is full of personal greetings, which show Paul’s deep connection to the people in the churches he ministered to. This particular verse follows a pattern seen throughout the chapter—Paul greets both individual believers (Herodion) and groups of Christians (those in Narcissus’s household).

The phrase “who are in the Lord” is significant because it implies that not everyone in Narcissus’s household was a believer. This reminds us that early Christians often lived in mixed environments where not everyone shared their faith.

Paul’s use of “my fellow Jew” (Greek: syngenēs mou) highlights the importance of Jewish believers in the early church. Even though Paul was the apostle to the Gentiles, he never forgot his Jewish brothers and sisters who had also come to faith in Christ.

Biblical Cross-References

• Galatians 3:28 – “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”
• Philippians 4:22 – “All God’s people here send you greetings, especially those who belong to Caesar’s household.” (Shows that Christianity was spreading even in elite Roman households.)
• 1 Corinthians 7:21-22 – Paul encourages believers who are servants to live for Christ in their current circumstances.
• Matthew 10:34-36 – Jesus warns that faith in Him will sometimes divide households.
• Acts 16:31-34 – The story of the Philippian jailer and how his entire household came to faith in Christ.

What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian

1. Faithfulness matters even in difficult environments. Some of the Christians Paul greeted were likely servants in non-Christian households. This reminds us that we can be faithful witnesses for Christ no matter where we live or work.
2. The gospel is for everyone. Paul’s greetings show that both Jews and Gentiles, rich and poor, were part of the early church. Today, the church should reflect this same diversity, welcoming all who believe in Christ.
3. Encouraging fellow believers is important. Paul’s words show that acknowledging and honoring other Christians is part of living out our faith. We should look for ways to build up and encourage those around us.

How This Verse Relates to a Loving God

God’s love is seen in how He calls people from every background into His family. The fact that believers existed even in the household of a powerful Roman official shows that God reaches people wherever they are—even in places where faith seems unlikely to thrive.

This verse also reflects God’s care for individuals. Paul could have just written general greetings, but instead, he personally acknowledges believers by name. This mirrors the heart of God, who knows each of His children personally and values every act of faithfulness.

How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ

1. Jesus also called people from all walks of life. Among His followers were fishermen, tax collectors, and even members of Herod’s court (Luke 8:3, where Joanna, the wife of Herod’s steward, followed Jesus).
2. Jesus taught that faith sometimes divides families. Just as Paul greeted only some members of Aristobulus and Narcissus’s households, Jesus warned that believing in Him would create divisions even within families (Matthew 10:34-36).
3. Jesus sees and values every believer. Just as Paul took time to greet individuals, Jesus recognized and valued people who were often overlooked, like Zacchaeus (Luke 19:1-10) and the woman at the well (John 4:7-26).

Questions for Reflection and Discussion

1. What does this verse teach us about being faithful to Christ even in difficult environments?
2. Why do you think Paul took the time to greet individuals by name in his letters?
3. How can we encourage and support fellow believers in our church and community?
4. How does this verse challenge us to think about the people God may be calling to Himself in unexpected places?
5. Are we willing to serve God, even if we are in a place where not everyone shares our faith?