ἀσπάσασθε Ἀπελλῆν τὸν δόκιμον ἐν Χριστῷ. ἀσπάσασθε τοὺς ἐκ τῶν Ἀριστοβούλου
Romans 16:10 reflects Paul’s deep relational network in the early church. The greetings offered are more than formal—they honor character, affirm identity in Christ, and recognize the church’s spread into diverse social circles. The Greek text communicates precision, respect, and affection in just a few words.
Grammatical Foundations
ἀσπάσασθε Ἀπελλῆν τὸν δόκιμον ἐν Χριστῷ—“Greet Apelles, the approved one in Christ.”
- ἀσπάσασθε—aorist middle imperative, 2nd person plural from ἀσπάζομαι, meaning “greet,” used here as a formal or affectionate salutation.
- Ἀπελλῆν—accusative masculine singular proper noun, the name of a Christian in Rome.
- τὸν δόκιμον—accusative masculine singular from δόκιμος, “approved,” “tested,” “proven,” likely referring to Apelles’ reputation for faithfulness.
- ἐν Χριστῷ—“in Christ,” describing the sphere or identity in which he is approved. This phrase suggests spiritual validation, not just human esteem.
ἀσπάσασθε τοὺς ἐκ τῶν Ἀριστοβούλου—“Greet those of the household of Aristobulus.”
- τοὺς ἐκ τῶν—”those from among” or “belonging to.” This idiom likely refers to people within Aristobulus’ household or circle.
- Ἀριστοβούλου—genitive masculine singular proper noun, referring either to a believer or perhaps a deceased or prominent individual whose household included Christians.
There is no article before Χριστῷ, making the phrase more personal—“approved in Christ,” not just “the Christ.” The repetition of ἀσπάσασθε emphasizes communal inclusion and recognition.
Exegetical and Theological Implications
Paul’s greeting to Apelles highlights personal character. Calling him ὁ δόκιμος “the approved one” suggests that Apelles had undergone trials or testing and emerged faithful. His worthiness is defined not by status but by being ἐν Χριστῷ, united with Christ.
By greeting “those of Aristobulus,” Paul acknowledges believers within a household, possibly one associated with Roman nobility or a slave-owning estate. This shows how the gospel reached across social classes, and how entire households or sections of them became part of the Christian movement.
Linguistic and Historical Perspectives
δόκιμος was often used in moral and philosophical contexts to describe someone proven by examination or adversity. Paul uses it elsewhere (e.g., 2 Tim 2:15) as a term of honor. It may imply past suffering or long-standing faithfulness.
The phrase οἱ ἐκ τῶν (literally “those from among”) is a Hebraic idiom that found its way into Koine Greek, often used to describe households or members of a larger group. Aristobulus may have been a deceased nobleman or relative of Herod, and Christians within his house would still bear his name as their identifier.
Table: Verbal and Structural Features in Romans 16:10
| Text | Greek Verb / Phrase | Form | Function / Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rom 16:10 | ἀσπάσασθε | Aorist middle imperative, 2nd person plural | “Greet”; formal, warm salutation in epistolary context |
| Rom 16:10 | τὸν δόκιμον ἐν Χριστῷ | Accusative noun phrase | “The approved one in Christ”; marks spiritual character and identity |
| Rom 16:10 | τοὺς ἐκ τῶν Ἀριστοβούλου | Accusative plural phrase with genitive | “Those of the household of Aristobulus”; identifies Christians by household affiliation |
The Verse as a Paradigm of Koine Greek Richness
Romans 16:10 shows how Koine Greek conveys both theology and affection through its elegant compactness. With a single imperative verb and well-placed modifiers, Paul honors the tested, embraces the communal, and draws the early church together across lines of class, household, and history—centered always ἐν Χριστῷ.
