Romans 16:6

Romans 16:6, in plain English

Greet Mary, who has worked extremely hard in the service of the church.

Why it's here

Mary is mentioned only here in Scripture, which tells you something: Paul recognized and valued women's work in the church even when their names didn't make it into the history books. She was a laborer, and her labor mattered.

Who's speaking

Paul, continuing his greetings

Where it sits in the story

There are countless people like Mary throughout history—faithful workers whose names we'll never know, but whose work built the kingdom. Paul's greeting is his way of making sure at least one church knows her name.

The scholarly reading

Paul greets Mary, who has labored intensely for the Roman community.

Language and setting

Mary receives brief but affirmative mention, identified solely by her industrious work (ἐκοπίασεν, 'labored, toiled'). The verb appears elsewhere in Paul's self-description of apostolic labor (1 Cor. 15:10; Gal. 4:11), suggesting equivalence between Mary's ministry and Paul's own. She remains otherwise unidentified—whether a widow, widow in good standing, or member of a house church cannot be determined—yet her labor merits apostolic recognition.

Voice

Paul, continuing his greetings.

Significance

Mary exemplifies the countless women whose names Paul preserves but whose specific ministries remain opaque—a historical silence that modern scholarship has rightly interrogated. Her inclusion alongside male figures normalizes women's active participation in the church's work.

4who have risked their lives for me. Not only I but all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them.

5Greet also the church that meets at their house.

6Greet Mary, who has worked very hard for you.

7Greet Andronicus and Junia, my fellow countrymen and fellow prisoners. They are outstanding among the apostles, and they were in Christ before I was.

8Greet Ampliatus, my beloved in the Lord.

Read all of Romans 16 — Paul names over two dozen co-workers — men and women, Jews and Gentiles — revealing a movement built on real relationships and shared sacrifice.