Windsor, Lionel J. “Junia, Missionary Partnership, and Honor: The Discourse Function of Romans 16:7.” Bulletin for Biblical Research 34.2 (2024): 192–216.
This academic article, published in the Bulletin for Biblical Research, explores Paul’s greetings in Romans 16 in light of the gospel message he lays out in the rest of Romans and the purposes of Romans.
ABSTRACT: Scholarly interest in Paul’s reference to Junia in Rom 16:7 has tended to focus on Junia’s gender, status as “apostle,” authority, and role. This article explores a question that has received less attention but has the potential to shed further light: the discourse function of the reference. The article first explores relevant discourse elements of Rom 16, then examines how these elements are prepared for in Rom 1–15, before returning to focus on the details of Rom 16:7. It finds that the reference to Andronicus and Junia as “notable among the apostles” helps Paul to further establish and strengthen missionary partnership between himself and the believers in Rome. It is also a concrete application of eschatological categories of honor, informed by the gospel of God’s grace in Christ. As a Jewish woman who suffers alongside Paul for the gospel mission, Junia is especially honored by Paul’s descriptions.
KEYWORDS: apostle, discourse function, honor and shame, Jewish Christians, Junia, missionary partnership, Pauline mission, purpose of Romans, Romans 16:7, ministry of women
I’ve also produced a video aimed at a less technical audience which is designed to draw out key points from the article about how to preach and teach Romans 16: