Salute Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen, and my fellowprisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me.
Salute Andronicus and Junia - or, as it might be, 'Junias,' a contracted form of 'Junianus:' in this case, it is a man's name. But if, as is more probable, the word be, as in our version, "Junia," the person meant was no doubt either the wife or the sister of Andronicus.
My kinsmen (or, 'relatives,') and my fellow-prisoners - on what occasion, it is impossible to say, as the apostle elsewhere, tells us that he was "in prisons more frequent" (2 Corinthians 11:23);
Who are of note (or 'distinguished') among the apostles, х episeemoi (G1978) en (G1722) tois (G3588) apostolois (G652)]. Those who think the word "apostle" is used in an extended sense in the Acts and Epistles take this to mean, 'noted apostles,' and of course read Junias, as a man's name. (So Chrysostom-though he inconsistently reads 'Junia,' regarding it as a woman's name-Luther, Calvin, Estius, Bengel, Olshausen, Tholuck, Alford, Jowett). Those, on the other hand, who are not clear that the word "apostle" is applied, in the strictly official sense, beyond the circle of the twelve, and others besides these, understand, by the expression here used, 'persons esteemed among,' or 'by the apostles.' (So Beza, Grotius, DeWette, Fritzsche, Meyer, Stuart, Philippi, Hodge, Lange.) Of course, if "Junia," as a woman's name, is what the apostle wrote, this latter must be the meaning; and the use of the article - "among the apostles" - which would probably have been omitted if the former sense was meant, seems to us to decide in favour of the latter. Who also were in Christ before me. The apostle writes as if he envied them this priority in the faith. And, indeed, if to be "in Christ" be the most enviable human condition, the earlier the date of this blessed translation the greater the grace of it. This latter statement about Andronicus and Junia seems to throw some light on the preceding one. Very possibly they may have been among the first-fruits of Peter's labours, gained to Christ either on the day of Pentecost or on some of the succeeding days. In that case they may have attracted the special esteem of those apostles who for some time resided chiefly at Jerusalem and its neighbourhood; and our apostle, though he came late in contact with the other apostles, if he was aware of this fact, would have pleasure in alluding to it.