Junia, Missionary Partnership, and Honor: The Discourse Function of Romans 16:7

Abstract

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.