Romans 16:8Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

The Apostle again turns his love into praise, because Paul’s love was love for God and contained countless blessings. If it is considered great to win the love of a king, what praise is it to be beloved by Paul? If he had not possessed many virtues, he would not have drawn Paul’s love to himself. The Apostle not only did not love those who lived wickedly and lawlessly, but even delivered them to a curse. Thus, for example, he says, “If anyone does not love the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be anathema” (1 Cor 16:22). And again, “If anyone preaches to you a gospel contrary to what you received, let him be anathema” (Gal 1:9).

If it is considered great to be loved by a king, how much more glorious is it to be loved by Paul, who loves for virtue and for God?

Paul greets Amplius as a friend, but as a friend in the Lord, not as one who had struggled with him or been in prison.

The Apostle again turns his own love into praise, because Paul’s love was love for God and contained countless blessings.

If it is considered great to deserve the love of a king, what praise is it to be beloved of Paul? One who did not possess many virtues would not have drawn his love to himself.

The Apostle not only did not love those who lived badly and lawlessly, but even delivered them to a curse.

Thus, for example, he says, “If anyone does not love the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be accursed,” 1 Cor 16:22. And, “If anyone preaches to you contrary to what you received, let him be anathema,” cf. Gal 1:9, says Saint Chrysostom.

“The Apostle called Amplias beloved in the Lord, which points to his progress,” says blessed Theodoret.