Epenetus(epaenetus)
“Praiseworthy”
Summary
Epenetus was a Christian believer in Rome whom Paul greeted warmly in his epistle, calling him 'my wellbeloved' and identifying him as 'the firstfruits of Asia unto Christ'—one of Paul's earliest converts in the province of Asia.
☩Paul's Greeting
In the extensive list of personal greetings concluding Romans, Paul writes: 'Salute my wellbeloved Epenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia unto Christ' (Rom 16:5, KJV). However, the better manuscript evidence reads 'Asia' rather than 'Achaia,' indicating Epenetus was among Paul's first converts in the province of Asia (modern western Turkey). The term 'firstfruits' (Greek aparchē) designates him as among the earliest believers there, representing the beginning of a spiritual harvest.
☩Textual Variant
The received text of Romans 16:5 reads 'Achaia' (Greece), but many manuscripts and versions read 'Asia' instead. The reading 'Asia' is generally preferred by textual scholars. If 'Achaia' were original, it would conflict with 1 Corinthians 16:15, which identifies the household of Stephanas as 'the firstfruits of Achaia.' The title 'firstfruits of Asia' suggests Epenetus was converted during Paul's ministry in Ephesus or elsewhere in Asia Minor before relocating to Rome.
Related Verses1 mention
Romans· 1 verse
References
- 1.F. N. Peloubet & M. A. Peloubet (ed.), "Epenetus," in Smith's Bible Dictionary (Porter & Coates, 1884).
- 2.Unknown source, "Epenetus."