(Old Testament quotations/allusions are underlined. [Brackets] indicate a textual variant.fnWhen two (or more) different copies of an original manuscript disagree on any given word or phrase — addition, omission, word order, etc. — the disagreement is called a "textual variant". ~99% of existing textual variants are either minor (like spelling), obviously not original (often appearing only in a few late manuscripts), or don't affect meaning (like "Jesus Christ" vs. "Christ Jesus"). The ~1% that remain do not affect any central doctrine of Christianity. The BOS Bible only marks significant textual variants that affect the meaning; smaller variants that do not affect meaning won't be marked for readability. "Love" with a caret ("^love") is agapé.fn"agapé" The Greek words ἀγάπη (agapé, noun), and ἀγαπάω (agapaó; verb) are typically translated "love". However, unlike our English word "love" – which primarily speaks of affection and feelings — agapé centers on choice and behavior. It’s the "love" based on will, choice, behavior, and action; not feelings. (Feelings-based love is the Greek word φιλέω (phileó), which properly means "brotherly love/affection".) Thus, you could hate someone passionately and still treat him with "agapé". Agapé "love" is best understood as the pursuit of what is most beneficial to someone or something, regardless of the cost to yourself or the type of response received from the person or thing. It can also indicate a preference for someone or something over other things. An asterisk (*) indicates a verb in the Greek perfect tense.fnThe Greek perfect tense signifies a completed action in the past with a result and/or an ongoing state that extends into the present. For example, Hebrews 12:2 says in part: "He *sat down at the right hand of the throne of God"; the verb for "sat" is in the perfect tense, indicating that He sat down once (completed action in the past), and also that He remains seated until the present moment (ongoing state).)
Personal Greetings
- 1 Now, I commend our sister Phoebe to you, (who’s also a servantfn“servant” this Greek word is also translated “deacon” in 3 of the 29 occurrences in the New Testament (Philippians 1:1, 1 Timothy 3:8, and 1 Timothy 3:12). Typically, unless the context clearly indicates “deacon” as in those verses, it is translated “servant” or “minister”. For example, Colossians 1:7, Colossians 4:7, and Ephesians 6:21 use this word to mention other male Christians similar to how Phoebe is mentioned here. The BOS Bible has used “servant” in all of these similar contexts for consistency. of the church assembly in Cenchrea)
- 2 so that you might receive her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the holy ones, and so you might stand by her in that matterfn“matter” the Greek word here is singular, possibly indicating that Phoebe was dealing with some matter affecting her personally. Given her status as a patroness, it’s possible she had some business which required significant attention, and the church of Rome was to “stand by” her in this matter. if she needs you, for she also became a patroness of many, even of me myself.
- 3 Greet Priscafn“Prisca” is the proper form of “Priscilla”, the latter being more informal and familiar. and Aquila, my fellow workers in Jesus the Anointed –
- 4 who risked their necksfn“necks” is literally “neck” for my life, whom not only I thank, but all the church assemblies of the gentiles do also –
- 5 and also greet the church assembly at their house. Greet Epenetus, my beloved, who is a firstfruit of Asia for the Anointed.
- 6 Greet Mary, who often laboriously toiled for you.
- 7 Greet Andronicus and Junia,fn“Junia” there is some debate whether this name is feminine or masculine. The only way to tell is with the accents on the Greek letters, but manuscripts lacked accents until the late first millennium. Most of the early church fathers thought she was female, while most of the (later) manuscripts with accents support the masculine reading. Both the feminine and masculine forms are rare in Greek, but the masculine form is virtually without precedent. Thus, the evidence leans very strongly toward feminine, but masculine isn’t impossible. my kinsmen and fellow prisoners with me, who are well-known byfn“who are well-known by” there is a significant debate as to how this phrase should be translated. Some scholars say it should be translated: “who are notable among the apostles”, making Junia an apostle. Other scholars say it should be translated: “who are well-known by the apostles”, which excludes Junia from being an apostle. Daniel Wallace (author of “Greek Grammar Beyond the Basics”) argues that “well-known by” has stronger supporting evidence from Greek grammar. Notably, the “among” interpretation doesn’t necessarily make Junia an apostle. For example, William Shakespeare could be called “notable among modern literary scholars” without being a modern literary scholar. the apostles, and who *were in the Anointed earlier than me.
- 8 Greet Ampliatus, my beloved in the Lord.
- 9 Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in the Anointed, and my beloved Stachys.
- 10 Greet Apelles, who is proved as genuine in the Anointed. Greet the men of Aristobulus’ household.
- 11 Greet Herodion my kinsman. Greet the men of Narcissus’ household who are in the Lord.
- 12 Greet Tryphena and Tryphosa, women laboriously toiling in the Lord. Greet the beloved Persis, who often laboriously toiled in the Lord.
- 13 Greet Rufus, the chosen in the Lord, also his mother and mine.
- 14 Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the brothers with them.
- 15 Greet Philologus and Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas and all the holy ones with them.
- 16 Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the church assemblies of the Anointed greet you.
Beware divisive men
(Parallel teachings: Titus 3:9-11; 2 Thessalonians 3:6, 14-15; 2 John 1:9-11)
(Thematic parallels: Acts 20:28-31)
- 17 Now brothers, I urge you to watch out for men causing divisions and snares contrary to the teaching that you learned, and turn away from them.
- 18 For such men don’t serve our Lord the Anointed, but their own appetite, and they thoroughly deceive the hearts of the naïve through smooth speech and flattery or blessings.fn“flattery or blessings” is one word in Greek. It can mean either depending on the context, but since both seem applicable here, both were included.
- 19 For word of your obedience went forth to all. Therefore, I rejoice over you, but I desire you to be wise in good yet innocent in evil.fnquotation/allusion to Matthew 10:16 (contrast with Jeremiah 4:22)
- 20 And the God of peace will soon crush Satanfnquotation/allusion to Genesis 3:15, and likely Psalm 110:1. “Satan” is of Hebrew origin, meaning “accuser” under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus the Anointed be with you. Amen.
Final greetings and closing
- 21 My fellow worker Timothy greets you, also Lucius, and Jason, and Sosipater, my kinsmen.
- 22 I, Tertius – the man who wrote down this letter – greet you in the Lord.
- 23 Gaius, my host and the host of the whole church assembly, greets you. The steward of the city, Erastus, greets you, and the brother Quartus.
- 24 [The grace of our Lord Jesus the Anointed be with you all. Amen.]
- 25 Now, to the One able to strengthen you in accordance with my good news and the proclamation of Jesus the Anointed, in accordance with the revelation of the mystery *kept secret during the time of ages,
- 26 but now both having been revealed through prophetic scriptures in accordance with the command of the God of ages, and having been made known to all the gentiles for the obedience of faith
- 27 to the only wise God through Jesus the Anointed, to whom be the glory through the ages [of the ages]. Amen.
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