Romans 16:22Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

This too is no small praise: to be Paul’s scribe. Yet Tertius says this, of course, not in praise of himself, but so that by his service he might draw the fervent love of the Romans to himself.

It is a great thing to be Paul’s scribe. Tertius writes this not to praise himself, but to draw greater love from the Romans, as one who served in writing the epistle to them.

Tertius means “third,” by name, not by order. He wrote this epistle, and Paul allowed him to greet the Romans in his own name.

He too was one of those counted worthy to hear apostolic instruction. Therefore he received the command to take from the Apostle’s mouth the offspring of his holy soul and set them down on parchment.

The persons from whom the Apostle sends greetings to the Romans were as renowned as those who were greeted by name.

Thus, for example, Timothy was one of the Seventy Apostles, a known disciple of the Apostle Paul, who later was bishop in Ephesus.

The Apostle Paul later wrote two epistles to him.

Lucius was one of the Seventy Apostles and bishop of Cyrene. His memory is celebrated on January 4 and September 10.

Sosipater was among the Seventy Apostles and suffered under the reign of Nero. His memory is blessed on January 4, April 28, and November 10.

Jason was the man who, at danger to his own life, took the Apostle Paul under his protection in Thessalonica during the disturbance.

Later he was bishop in Tarsus. His memory is celebrated on April 28.

“Tertius said this, reckoning it a great praise for himself to be the copyist for Saint Paul,” says Oecumenius.

“This too is no small praise, to be Paul’s scribe. Yet he says this not in praise of himself, but so that by his service he might draw the warm love of the Romans to himself,” says Saint Chrysostom.

“He too was one of those found worthy to heed the apostolic instruction. Therefore he received the command to take from the Apostle’s mouth the offspring of his holy soul and set them down on paper,” says blessed Theodoret.

“In the Lord” may be referred both to “I greet you” and to “who wrote the epistle.” In the latter case, he wished to express that he labored in the confidence that by this he served the Lord’s glory and the success of the gospel about Him.

Love for the Lord animated him.

Tertius is also of the Seventy. He was second bishop in Iconium after Sosipater and died as a martyr. His memory is October 30 and November 10.