- Herodion: (16:11a): Paul greets Herodion as my kinsman or relative. It may the relationship of belonging to same tribe but not familial. The name may identify that this person belonging to Herod’s family. This man is reckoned among the seventy disciples (Lk. 10:1) and tradition says that he was the Bishop of Tarsus.
- The household of Narcissus: (16:11b): Paul sent greetings to the household of Narcissus. He may be the same man who was secretary to Claudius Caeser, a very selfish man who amassed great wealth and lived in dignity. But when Paul wrote, perhaps he was dead, his household included many Jews and slaves who were Christians. Narcissus was miserably put to death by Agrippina, the wife of Claudius and he died as a wicked man because he falsely accused many people and was the cause of death of many. But his household seem to be converted to Christianity and to them Paul sends his greetings.
- Tryphena and Tryphosa: (16:12a): Tryphena and Tryphosa were probably Roman sisters of the same family or very close relatives. These names mean luxurious or delicate. Paul greeted them and said they have worked hard in the Lord which is just contrast to their names. These two wonderful sisters belonging to a class belonging of delicate withdrawal from toil and hard work, have put themselves into hard work for the Lord. They became untrue to their names because they want to be true to their Master.
The Roman church was probably one of the best mixed church from every type of people just we see in the description of John in (Rev.7:9). The two ladies Tryphena and Tryphosa of high social standing are mentioned immediately after Ampliatus and Urbanus (the converted slaves), followed by household of Aristobulus the grandson of Herod, the household of Narcissus, all belonging to different strata of society. There was no racial distinctions. Sex and social conditions had all been swept away. Paul’s great principle was “there is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are ll one in Christ Jesus” (Gal.3:28). This is the greatest lesson every believer must learn.
- Persis: (16:12b): Persis judging by her name was a Persian descent and probably came to Rome as a slave. She somehow connected to Church and became a distinguished faithful Christian woman who toiled hard for the church and won affection from apostle Paul. Though Paul had never seen her and there was no other mention of her name, had made a name for herself by her faith and hardwork for the church. The simple fact that Persian slave woman living in Rome, getting mentioned by a Jew Apostle Paul who was in Corinth at the time of writing this letter in Greek language, gives us a clear message that the Gospel had penetrated deep into their lives and all persons mentioned in this letter were living by example and with great testimony. Apostle Paul greeted as my dear friend who worked very hard in the Lord. Persis must have seized many opportunities of witness, regardless of hindrances and difficulties, she fought the good fight of faith. Like Mary of Rome (16:6), she had laboured and toiled for the Church.
- Rufus: (16:13): Rufus meaning ‘red’ was most likely the son of Simon the Cyrenian (Mk.15:21), whom the Roman soldiers compelled to carry the cross on which the Lord Jesus was crucified. Rufus was also the brother of Alexander whom Mark mentions them in (Mk.15:21). Rufus as Paul mentioned as “chosen in the Lord” was a choice Christian and well known among the Christian world for his faith and service. His mother had played the mother’s part to Paul on some occasions.
- Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas and the brothers: (16:14):
Paul sends greetings to the five persons and the spiritual brethren others living together in the fellowship. All these 5-persons and other brethren were meeting together and there was probably a house-church.
- Asyncritus: He was a Roman, a disciple of the apostle mentioned in the Roman martyrology. He was the bishop of Hycrania. He was one of the 72-disciples mentioned in (Lk.10:1)
- Phelgon: He was also one of the 72-disciples and was the bishop of Marathon.
- Hermes: Hermes is a Greek name. It was the same name with which in Lystra, the people called Paul in Lycaonian language as “Hermes” and to Barnabas they called “Zeus.” He was also one of the 72-disciple and also served as the bishop of Dalmatia.