Romans 16:2
What does Romans 16:2 mean?
A plain-English look at Romans 16:2 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Romans 16:2 means
Paul asks the Romans to welcome Phoebe in a manner fitting for God’s people and to give her help in whatever matter she needs. He grounds the request in her proven record: she has been a benefactor and supporter to many, including Paul. The verse highlights mutual care within the body of Christ—those who serve are to be served, those who help are to be helped. Paul models practical love: he doesn’t merely praise Phoebe; he calls for concrete assistance that matches her faithful service, honoring sacrificial ministry with tangible support.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000that ye receive her in the Lord, worthily of the saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever matter she may have need of you: for she herself also hath been a helper of many, and of mine own self.
KJV
King James Version · 1611That ye receive her in the Lord, as becometh saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you: for she hath been a succourer of many, and of myself also.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901that ye receive her in the Lord, worthily of the saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever matter she may have need of you: for she herself also hath been a helper of many, and of mine own self.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949That you will take her in kindly, after the way of the saints, as one who is the Lord's, and give her help in anything in which she may have need of you: because she has been a help to a great number and to myself.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862that ye may receive her in the Lord, as doth become saints, and may assist her in whatever matter she may have need of you--for she also became a leader of many, and of myself.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752That you receive her in the Lord as becometh saints and that you assist her in whatsoever business she shall have need of you. For she also hath assisted many, and myself also.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890that ye may receive her in [the] Lord worthily of saints, and that ye may assist her in whatever matter she has need of you; for she also has been a helper of many, and of myself.
Context
Continuing his commendation of Phoebe, Paul moves from who she is to what the Romans should do—receive and assist. This instruction prepares the church to respond rightly to a visiting servant of Christ. With this settled, Paul transitions in verse 3 to greeting a host of believers in Rome by name. The personal greetings that follow display the breadth of Paul’s relationships and underscore the unity of distant congregations under the same Lord.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Romans 16:23
Gaius my host, and of the whole church, saluteth you. Erastus the treasurer of the city saluteth you, and Quartus the brother.
- Colossians 4:10
Aristarchus my fellow-prisoner saluteth you, and Mark, the cousin of Barnabas (touching whom ye received commandments; if he come unto you, receive him),
- Romans 16:3
Salute Prisca and Aquila my fellow-workers in Christ Jesus,
- Ephesians 5:3
But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as becometh saints;
- Acts 9:41
And he gave her his hand, and raised her up; and calling the saints and widows, he presented her alive.
- 1 Timothy 2:10
but (which becometh women professing godliness) through good works.
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