Andronicus (kinsman of Paul)
Early apostle and fellow prisoner with Paul
Andronicus is mentioned in Romans 16:7 as a highly respected figure in the early Christian movement. He was of Jewish origin and described by Paul as both a relative and fellow prisoner, testifying to shared suffering for the sake of the gospel. Together with Junia, he was regarded as outstanding among the apostles – an expression that in Christian tradition has been understood to mean they held apostolic recognition, although some scholars interpret it differently. Notably, both had come to faith in Christ before Paul, placing them among the very first Christians. Their relationship to each other – whether spouses, siblings, or coworkers – is not further specified in the text, but Christian tradition has often assumed they were a married couple.
Family
Key events
Greeting from Paul
Paul greets Andronicus and Junia in his letter to the church in Rome, speaking of them with great respect and warmth, which suggests a close and long-standing relationship between them.
Identified as Paul's kinsman and fellow prisoner
Paul calls Andronicus his kinsman (Greek: syngenēs) and fellow prisoner (Greek: synaichmalōtos). The first term indicates Jewish origin and possibly kinship, while the second shows that Andronicus at some unknown time shared imprisonment with Paul for the sake of the gospel.
Prominent among the apostles
Paul describes Andronicus and Junia as prominent among the apostles (Greek: episēmoi en tois apostolois). This has traditionally been understood to mean that they themselves were counted as apostles with a significant role in the early church, although some scholars interpret it as meaning they were well regarded by the apostles.
Early conversion to Christ
Andronicus and Junia had come to faith in Christ before Paul, which places their conversion in the very earliest period of the Christian movement, possibly as early as around AD 30–33, perhaps in connection with the first Pentecost in Jerusalem.