ALSO GREET THE CHURCH THAT IS IN THEIR HOUSE: kai ten kat oikon auton ekklesiai:

Early congregations met in homes (1 Cor 16:19; Col 4:15; Phile 2) Bishop Lightfoot says there is no clear example of a separate building set apart for Christian worship within the limits of the Roman Empire before the third century. The Christian congregations were therefore dependent upon the hospitality of prominent church members who furnished their homes for this purpose..” In Ephesus the house of Prisca and Aquila was a meeting place for the saints (1 Cor 16:19) as it was here in Rome. These facts provide a clue to the organization of the early church -- in a city with a Christian community of any size, there appear to be several "congregations" meeting in different houses , since there were no "church" buildings at this time.

Commenting on the absence of any church buildings until after the 3rd century Ray Stedman quips

"What a relief, not to be bothered with a church building program! People just got together where they could for larger meetings...(Prisca and Aquila) were a mighty influence for Christ wherever they went. Do you notice what Paul says about them here? Greet "also the church in their house." I think that is remarkable. Wherever this couple went, they soon had a church meeting in their house. (This, by the way, is the proper place for the church to meet.) In Mexico this week, after the Tuesday morning breakfast at which Ambassador Thomas Mann, the United States Ambassador to Mexico was present, he very graciously invited our entire team over to his house for tea one morning. We went over, and sat down with the ambassador, and talked about the problems of Mexico and the United States. Then he began telling us something about the church in Mexico. He spoke about how the church dominated the landscape and politics in certain areas, but how weak and ineffective it was in its ministry. I said to him, "Mr. Ambassador, is it not true that when the church is confined to a building, and thinks only of services within a specific center, it is never anything or of any influence at all? But, when the church begins to move out into the homes, and when the gospel is preached in the homes, this is what makes for a powerful and effective ministry?" And the ambassador said, "Exactly. Unless Christianity is lived in the heart and the home, it is of no use at all." This is what spread the gospel throughout the whole of the early world. Christians were not interested in trying to get people to come out to church, but, instead, invited them into their homes. In their homes they talked to them about Christ, and there it was that they won their neighbors to the Lord -- and, so, there began to be churches meeting in the homes." (Read the full sermon All in the Family)

IVP Background Commentary has some interesting insights

Small synagogues sometimes had to meet in homes before they could purchase buildings; many Greek religious associations did the same; churches did so for the first three centuries, using their income to buy slaves’ freedom, feed the poor and so forth, rather than to build edifices. In Rome, many well-to-do apartments existed above shops in multistory tenement buildings; Aquila and Priscilla probably lived above their artisan shop. (Keener, Craig: The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament. 1994. IVP)

GREET EPAENETUS ("praised") MY BELOVED WHO IS THE FIRST CONVERT (literally "first fruit") TO CHRIST FROM ASIA: aspasasthe (2PAAM) Epaineton ton agapeton mou, os estin (3SPAI) aparchs tes Asias eis Christon: (Ro 16:5 16:8 16:9 16:12)

We do not know the names of any of Paul’s blood relatives--he didn’t talk about them--but we know the names of many of his spiritual relatives and here is one of his first spiritual offspring which undoubtedly helps explain why he was especially beloved.

First convert (536) (aparche) is  literally first fruit and refers to an offering of any kind, animal as well as grain, but in the presence case speaking of Gentile converts who, analogous to the first portion of the OT offering, were also set aside specifically for the Lord.

In Romans 8 Paul wrote that...

we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body. (see note Romans 8:23)
 

In chapter 11 Paul used this metaphor (first fruits) in explaining how Gentile salvation had Jewish roots writing...

"And if the first piece (first fruit = Abraham who was holy or set apart by God) of dough be holy, the lump is also; and if the root be holy, the branches (Gentile converts, the see of Abraham) are too." (see note Romans 11:16)  Just as the first handful of ripened grain is a pledge of the entire harvest to follow, so the Holy Spirit is our pledge or guarantee that the full inheritance will be ours.
 

First fruits is related to the Jewish term that refers to that which is set apart to God before remainder could be used. Under the Law Israel was to bring the first fruits of the grain to the LORD and in this act they were acknowledging that all produce was God's. The first fruits of a harvest of grain was an indication of a greater harvest to come.

Paul utilizes the metaphor of first fruits in three ways in the NT:

(1) Of the relationship between the resurrection of Christ to the resurrection of the dead (1Cor 15:20, 23). Christ’s resurrection is the “first fruit of those who have fallen asleep” (1Cor 15:20), and like the first fruits of the harvest, it is a taste and a guarantee of the full harvest of resurrection yet to come.

(2) Likewise the Holy Spirit is called first fruit in (see note Romans 8:23) (cf. Holy Spirit as “downpayment” in 2Cor 1:22 5:5; see note Ephesians 1:14), a foretaste of our divine life in the age to come.

(3) Finally when Paul speaks of his first converts in a region, he calls them the “first fruits” (cf "first fruits of Achaia" in 1Cor 16:15). Epaenetus ("praised") was the first convert (and predictive of a greater harvest to follow) from Asia who became part of Paul’s “offering of the Gentiles” to the Lord (see note Romans 15:16).

Ray Stedman comments that...

GREET MARY WHO HAS WORKED HARD  FOR YOU: aspasasthe (2PAAM) Marian, etis polla (4183) ekopiasen (2872) (3SAAI) eis humas: (Mat 27:55 1Ti 5:10)

Compare this verse with Paul's exhortation to those who had presented themselves to God as living sacrifices (see notes Romans 12:1; 12:7; 12:11).

Paul affectionately calls this industrious woman something like "Mary the toiler" (see below).

NIV more accurate to Greek = very hard, where very (4183) (polus) means literally much. It speaks of much in amount or quantity which intensifies an already strong verb, worked hard (see below)

The prominence of women’s names in this chapter emphasizes their wide sphere of influence in the early church. It is also of note that in addition to Mary, Paul places emphasis on the strenuous labor to the point of exhaustion of 3 other women , Tryphena, Tryphosa and Persis (see notes on Romans 16:12).

Work (2872)(kopiao from kopos = labor, fatigue) This root word kopos (see word study) is used in secular Greek of “a beating,” “weariness” (as though one had been beaten) and “exertion,” was the proper word for physical tiredness induced by work, exertion or heat. Kopiao means to to exhibit great effort and exertion, to the point of sweat and exhaustion. To physically become worn out, weary or faint. To engage in hard work with the implication of difficulty and trouble.

Thus Paul gives Mary a very high compliment when he says she worked very hard for you. Mary "the toiler" worked like a Trojan for the saints. Her works, though hidden from man (although not completely because Paul was clearly aware of her toilsome efforts), are with God; and her name is recorded with honor in this book of life. Living as a Christian is not a bed of roses; it is hard work.

Paul's use of the past tense clearly points to a past "job well done" and it is fascinating that without email, telephones, etc, he was able to deduce that Mary had exerted effort to the point of exhaustion for the believers in Rome! This information could only have come via letters or reports from other believers who had been at Rome. What an epitaph to have -- we should all desire such a God glorifying affirmation of "Well done thou good and faithful servant." (Mt 25:21,23).

APPLICATION: Would Paul call you "_______ the toiler?" Paul is not praising her for work performed in her own strength...the only truly praiseworthy "good works" (Click notes on good deeds ) that will endure throughout eternity are those done through the saint surrendered to the Lord Jesus and performing the works in the power of the Holy Spirit and for the glory of the Father.

William Newell makes an interesting comment...

GREET ANDRONICUS (man of victory) and JUNIAS ( masculine or feminine) MY KINSMEN and MY FELLOW PRISONERS (literally  fellow-captives in war): aspasasthe (2PAAM) Andronikon kai Iounian tous suggeneis mou kai sunaichmalotous mou:

Although "kinsman" normally refers to blood relatives, it can be extended to include fellow countrymen and in the context of this epistle probably refers to fellow Jews who are in Christ (cf "kinsman" in Romans 9:3 [note]). These kinsman were at some time in prison with Paul. Taking this term as figurative is very unlikely as Paul's other 2 NT uses of this term clearly refer to literal imprisonment (See note Colossians 4:10;  Philem 1:23)

Note that the NIV and NASB translate the second name with a masculine ending, "Junias" whereas the KJV and NKJV translate it with the feminine ending, "Junia".

MacArthur comments:

Because Junias may be a woman’s name, these two might have been husband and wife....Besides being Paul’s kinsmen, these two believers were at some time, perhaps even then, his fellow prisoners. Because Paul was often in prison (2 Cor 11:23), their shared imprisonment could have been in any number of places. Because they were outstanding among the apostles, we can be sure that, like Paul, they were prisoners because of their faith."

WHO ARE OUTSTANDING AMONG THE APOSTLES, WHO ALSO WERE IN CHRIST BEFORE ME: episemoi en tois apostolois oi kai pro emou gegonan (3PRAI) en Christo:  (Ro 8:1 Isa 45:25 John 6:56 14:20 15:2 1Co 1:30 2Co 5:17,21 // Gal 1:22 5:6 6:15 Eph 2:10 1Jn 4:13 5:20)

Outstanding  (1978) (episemos) literally means "having a mark upon" and was used literally to describe money that had been stamped or coined (with a mark).

In this verse Paul uses episemos in a figurative sense to describe a "good mark" meaning those who is well–thought–of, splendid, outstanding, distinguished, eminent or illustrious. In short they have an excellent reputation.

This adjective was also used to describe a "bad" mark in Matthew's description of "the notorious prisoner, called Barabbas." (Mt 27:16).

"In Christ before me" is literally “they have become in Christ before me.” Paul says that "Andronicus and Junias" had became Christians before he did. In a passage that helps explain in Christ Paul wrote to the potentially prideful Corinthians that it was...

by His (God's) doing you are in Christ Jesus, Who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption (1 Cor 1:30)

These who were in Christ before Paul were at least potential targets of his venom described in

Saul still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord" (Acts 9:1)

What a difference the gospel of Jesus Christ makes in one's before and after lifestyle! If you were not saved as a child (a before/after change is often less apparent) but later in life (I was saved by mercy and grace through faith at age 39 - Praise the Lord!), you have undoubtedly got a "gutter to glory" testimony to some degree. And you need to share it without fear with those who are dead in their trespasses and sins! Don't keep the best thing that ever happened to you a secret! If you have not seen a radical change in your lifestyle (your desires, you hunger for the Word, your distaste for the old sins you used to love so much, etc), then you need to be sure that your walking the aisle, holding up your hand in an evangelistic service, etc, was not just a mere profession and your lack of a significant "about face" in your lifestyle or habits is a manifestation of the possibility that you do not have possession of the Christ (note "in Christ") and His indwelling Holy Spirit (see note Romans 8:9) Who gives you the "want to" to work out your salvation with fear and trembling (see notes Philippians 2:12; Philippians 2:13). Please do not misunderstand. When one is saved, they don't turn into perfect "angels", but there is a distinct change, so that now the general direction of one's life instead of heading toward hell, is headed toward heaven. Salvation is far more than a "fire insurance" policy. It is a new life in Christ Who now lives in you to be your life (see note Colossians 3:4)

Note that Paul uses the perfect tense ("were") to indicate that they were at the time of writing still in Christ. Paul goes out of his way to use the perfect tense often when speaking of salvation, which emphasizes the eternal security of the believer, for the perfect tense is descriptive of a an event that has occurred in the past with present continuing results or effects.

MacArthur comments that...