Romans 16:2
ἵνα αὐτὴν προσδέξησθε ἐν κυρίῳ ἀξίως τῶν ἁγίων καὶ παραστῆτε αὐτῇ ἐν ᾧ ἂν ὑμῶν χρῄζῃ πράγματι· καὶ γὰρ αὐτὴ προστάτις πολλῶν ἐγενήθη καὶ αὐτοῦ ἐμοῦ
Guided Reading
This verse feels personal and warm. Paul is not simply giving information. He is teaching a community how to receive someone honorably.
The Greek flows through a sequence of requests:
Receive her → Stand beside her → Remember her faithfulness
The sentence is full of relational language. Greek here sounds careful, respectful, and deeply communal.
Transliteration
hina autēn prosdexēsthe en kyriō axiōs tōn hagiōn kai parastēte autē en hō an hymōn chrēzē pragmati; kai gar autē prostatis pollōn egenēthē kai autou emou
Literal Translation
“So that you may receive her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the holy ones, and stand beside her in whatever matter she may need from you; for she herself became a patron of many, and of myself also.”
Why Greek Uses ἵνα Here
One small Greek word shapes the entire sentence:
ἵνα
This word often introduces purpose or desired action.
It can mean:
- “so that”
- “in order that”
After ἵνα, Greek commonly uses the subjunctive mood.
Notice these verbs:
προσδέξησθε
“you may receive”
παραστῆτε
“you may stand beside”
The subjunctive mood here does not sound uncertain. Instead, it expresses encouragement and intention.
Paul is describing the kind of response he wants the believers to show.
Vocabulary Pathways
| Greek Word | Pronunciation | Meaning | Beginner Insight |
|---|---|---|---|
| προσδέξησθε | prosdexēsthe | receive / welcome | Greek often uses this word for warm acceptance. |
| ἀξίως | axiōs | worthily | This word describes behavior matching proper honor. |
| παραστῆτε | parastēte | stand beside / assist | The verb suggests active support, not passive agreement. |
| προστάτις | prostatis | patron / protector | A strong word describing someone who supports and helps others. |
Following the Logic of the Sentence
Greek sometimes delays explanation until the end of a sentence.
At first, Paul tells the readers:
- receive her
- support her
- help her in whatever matter she needs
Only afterward does he explain why.
καὶ γὰρ αὐτὴ προστάτις πολλῶν ἐγενήθη
Literally:
“For she herself became a patron of many.”
Notice the position of αὐτὴ (“she herself”). Greek places it early for emphasis.
The sentence quietly highlights her importance before describing what she has done.
Beginner Activity — Match the Greek Idea
Draw a line mentally between the Greek word and its basic idea.
| Greek | Your Match |
|---|---|
| ἵνα | A. worthy manner |
| ἀξίως | B. so that |
| προστάτις | C. patron / helper |
Extra Practice: Which two verbs in the verse are subjunctives after ἵνα?
Listening to the Rhythm of the Greek
This verse teaches something beautiful about Koine Greek: grammar and kindness are deeply connected.
The sentence moves gently from request to explanation. The subjunctives soften the tone. The word order carefully highlights the woman being commended. And the repeated references to helping and standing beside someone create a rhythm of hospitality throughout the verse.
As beginners learn Greek, verses like this train the eye to notice how grammar can quietly shape emotion, honor, and community.
