Romans 16:15

Philologus A Greek name.

Julia Possibly the wife of Philologus. The name may(as in the case of Junia:see note on Romans 16:7;) be really Julias, i.e., Julianus;a masculine name. But the mention just after of "Nereus and his sister" weighs, however lightly, in the other direction. So Meyer.

Nereus A Greek name; that of a minor sea-god, tutelar of the Mediterranean under Poseidon. See second note on Romans 16:1.

Olympas A Greek masculine name.

the saints which are with them See last note on Romans 16:14.

At the close of this long roll of names we cannot but remark on it as a noble and beautiful illustration of the "family-affection of Christianity." It is often observed that a peculiar charm attaches to successions of names,

"Lancelot, or Pelleas, or Pellenore;"

and such a rhythmical charm is not absent here. But far above it is the charm of the pure intense spiritual intimacy of hearts, an intimacy created by the possession of "one Lord, one Hope," and which with the advent of the Gospel touched the weary world as a new and unknown visitor from heaven. We might quote many parallels from later Christian literature; but one will be enough the dying farewell to his flock of a man who had no small measure of the holy love and zeal of St Paul Felix Neff, the "Apostle of the Hautes Alpes." Two days before his death (April, 1829,) "being scarcely able to see, he traced the following lines at different intervals, in large and irregular characters, which filled a page: -Adieu, dear friend André Blanc; Antoine Blanc; the Pelissiers, whom I dearly love; François Dumont and his wife; Isaac and his wife; Aimé Deslois; Emilie Bonnet, &c., &c., Alexandrine, and their mother all, all the brethren and sisters at Mens Adieu, adieu. I am departing to our Father (je monte vers notre Père) in perfect peace. Victory, victory, victory, by Jesus Christ. Felix Neff." " (Vie, Toulouse, 1875.)