Romans 16:5

“Likewise greet the church that is in their house, etc..] Which was either their own family, which might be somewhat large, and consisting entirely or chiefly of religious persons; for when they were in other places they had a church in their house as well as Rome; (see <461619>1 Corinthians 16:19); or the saints at Rome, who used to meet privately at their house, and pray and sing praises together, speak to one another of the things of God, and build up one another in their most faith; and from their gathering together in the name of Christ, and for the worship of him, and among whom his presence, according to his promise, was, they are called a church, or an assembly of Christians. Salute…”

“Likewise the church that is in their house--The Christian assembly that statedly met there for worship. "From his occupation as tent-maker, he had probably better accommodations for the meetings of the church than most other Christians" [HODGE]. Probably this devoted couple had written to the apostle such an account of the stated meetings at their house, as made him feel at home with them, and include them in this salutation, which doubtless would be read at their meetings with peculiar interest. Salute my well beloved EpÃ&brvbrnetus, who is the first-fruits--that is, the first convert of Achaia unto Christ--The true reading here, as appears by the manuscripts, is, "the first-fruits of Asia…”

“The church that is in their house - Aquila and Priscilla are mentioned Acts 18:26 as having received “Apollos” into their family, to instruct him more perfectly. The church in their house is also mentioned 1 Corinthians 16:19. This may mean either the church that was accustomed to assemble for worship at their hospitable mansion; or it may mean their own family with their guests, regarded as a “church.” In those times Christians had no houses erected for public worship, and were therefore compelled to meet in their private dwellings. Salute - The same word before translated “greet.” Who is the first-fruits - One who first embraced Christianity under my preaching in Achaia. The “first-fruits”…”

“Salute the church that is in their house - Aquila had been driven from Rome in the reign of Claudius, but was now returned, and performed the same part there which Caius did at Corinth, Rom 16:23. Where any Christian had a large house, there they all assembled together though as yet the Christians at Rome had neither bishops nor deacons. So far were they from any shadow of papal power. Nay, there does not appear to have been then in the whole city any more than one of these domestic churches. Otherwise there can be no doubt but St. Paul would have saluted them also. Epenetus - Although the apostle had never been at Rome, yet had he many acquaintance there. But here is no mention of Linus or…”

“16:5 the church that meets in their home: Early Christians did not have large buildings for their meetings—they met in private homes. The church in Rome was composed of a number of house churches where small groups of believers gathered for worship and instruction.”

“the church: Mat 18:20; Co1 16:19; Col 4:15; Plm 1:2 my: Rom 16:8, Rom 16:12; Jo3 1:1 who: Rom 11:16; Co1 16:15; Jam 1:18; Rev 14:4 Achaia: Rom 15:26; Act 18:12, Act 18:27; Co2 1:1, Co2 9:2 Romans 16:6”