Who is Junia?

At the end of the Book of Romans, Paul greets many individuals by name, including "Andronicus and Junia." Many make the claim that the two were Apostles. This would be rather interesting in that "Junia" is a feminine name, which would mean the only female Apostle mentioned in the New Testament. Church leaders for decades have argued over whether Junia was a man or a woman. They argue over the name and how it should be translated and they argue over how the two individuals are addressed, meaning that their mentioned together. This, many conclude means they are husband and wife. There is one phrase that always seems to come up in debates...."among the Apostles." When Paul greets Andronicus and Junia, scholars suggest that Paul is implying that they are also Apostles. Was Junia a woman, who was also an Apostle? It is not known how many other Apostles there were. In Acts 1:26, we know Matthias replaced Judas. Also, Paul was added to this group of Apostles when Jesus called him on the road to Damascus. Paul tells us that there were more Apostles than just the 12, in 1 Corinthians 15:5-7.

Romans 16:7 "Salute Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen, and my fellow prisoners, who are of note among the Apostles, who also were in Christ before me." Lets focus on a few things in this passage: 1.) Paul refers to them as his "fellow prisoners", so obviously they were in jail together at some point. 2.) Andronicus and Junia are mentioned together, which strongly implies they were married. 3.) "who are of note among the Apostles". Does this simple mean they were well known by the Apostles? Most literature experts argue the male "Junias" is unlikely because of its rarity in culture. Whether it is the female "Junia" or the male "Junias"(a contraction of Junianus or Hebrew Yehunni), there may be too many uncertainties in Romans 16:7 to assert there was a woman Apostle.

Those who support a female Apostle most always turn to Romans 16:7 and the part that reads, "who are of note among the Apostles", which of course is about Andronicus and Junia. But since "kinsmen" and "fellow prisoners" were terms used for other non-Apostles, Paul is most likely meaning these people were Christians known by the other Apostles and NOT numbered among them.

Definition of Apostle
Apostle means, "one who is sent out." Most Christians and church leaders use the word Apostle in two different ways: 1.) Specific people whom Christ first chose that actually walked with Him before His crucifixion. 2.) Those after Jesus' death, who had not walked with Him. ***Most Church leaders believe that the Apostles were the first 12 Jesus chose who were sent out after His death. So, obviously there would be no Apostles today.

Junia or Junias?
The name given in Romans 16:7, is given as IOYNIAN, a form whose grammatical gender could be either feminine or masculine. Forty to fifty years ago, the translation of the name as female would have been highly refuted. Many claim that by looking back through church history, there is evidence of translations adding an "s" to Junia, making the name be the male gender. Why? If a woman could be an Apostle, how much more could she be a pastor?

5 against Junia being a female Apostle
1.) Jesus first called 12 Apostles, all being men.
2.) The Apostles correspond to the 12 tribes of Israel, which came from the 12 sons of Jacob. Again all men.
3.) Even if Junia is identified as an Apostle, it could mean she was an Apostle in the non-technical sense of "messenger" or "representative", like a missionary--2 Corinthians 8:23
4.) In Acts 1:21-22, it says that only "men" were in consideration for Apostleship.
5.) Not mentioning Romans 16:7, it seems that everything else in scripture teaches that only men could be Apostles.

If we just take Romans 16:7, just focusing on this one passage of scripture, we need only to read "who are of note among the Apostles". It simply means that Andronicus and Junia were well known to the Apostles. So the debate on Junia being a female Apostle would end there because the text just doesn't say that. Nor was Andronicus an Apostle either. Think about this: If Jesus wanted to appoint a woman to be His Apostle, He certainly would have done so, as He was not shy about overturning cultural errors.

There are two questions here: was Junia a female; and, was Junia an apostle. It's best to separate the two questions completely, so that prejudices about "female apostles" are left out of the discussion.

Having studied these issues at length, I would summarize the evidence by saying that Junia is almost certainly female, and most likely not an apostle.

In other words, this verse doesn't say anything about females being apostles... for or against.

Was Junia/Junias a Female Apostle?

At the end of the book of Romans, Paul greets many individuals by name. Romans 16:7 reads, “Greet Andronicus and Junias, my relatives who have been in prison with me. They are outstanding among the apostles, and they were in Christ before I was.” Many have suggested that one or both of these individuals were actually apostles, interpreting the phrase “among the apostles” to mean Andronicus and Junias were part of (or “among”) that group. If this is a correct reading, it would be significant because Junia (as the name appears in the KJV and ESV) would be the only female apostle mentioned in the New Testament.

The scholar Dr. Daniel Wallace has extensively researched the Greek grammar of the phrase: “In sum, until further evidence is produced that counters the working hypothesis, we must conclude that Andronicus and Junia were not apostles, but were known to the apostles” (from http://bible.org/article/junia-among-apostles-double-identification-problem-romans-167).

Historically, there has been much discussion regarding the gender of Junia/Junias as well as the meaning of the phrase regarding apostleship. John Chrysostom, writing in the fourth century, noted Junia as named among the apostles. Many of Chrysostom’s contemporaries interpreted Junias as a man’s name, a matter that biblical scholars still debate to some extent today, although the feminine identification is more common.

Outside of Romans 16:7, Junia is not mentioned in the Bible or in the extra-biblical writings of her time. Later writings are conflicting and inconclusive in determining the true identity of this individual. With the existing information, the syntax of the Greek language provides the best means of understanding what Paul meant when he wrote that Junia was outstanding (or “well known”) among the apostles.

The Greek language construction is not 100 percent definitive, but strongly leans in favor of translating the verse as the ESV does: “Greet Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen and my fellow prisoners. They are well known to the apostles.” The wording here makes it clear that Andronicus and Junia were known to the apostles but were not apostles themselves.

The fact that Junia was “in Christ before I was” would make Junia one of the earliest Christians, since Paul had become a believer within three years of the resurrection (Galatians 2). She may have even been in Jerusalem for Pentecost when Peter preached in Acts 2. Whenever Junia first believed, she was likely living in or near Jerusalem during the early days of the church. This would have given her ample time to become acquainted with the apostles.

Romans 16:7 also says that Junia was imprisoned for her faith at some point before Romans was written (approximately A.D. 55). This fact would make her one of the first believers arrested for her faith (she was maybe even in prison alongside Paul). Further, she was involved in the formation of the early church in Rome.

It is unlikely that Junia was an apostle, but Romans 16:7 gives a short but impressive résumé of her service to Christ. Two thousand years later, we still know her name.


Got Questions Ministries, Got Questions? Bible Questions Answered (Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2002–2013).

That sounds like they were noted (well favored) among the Apostles.

The NASB reads...

Greet Andronicus and Junias, my kinsmen and my fellow prisoners, who are outstanding among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me. Romans 16:7

Who is Junia?

Click to expand...

Early Church tradition does indeed hold she was a female and an apostle...

But of course "male chauvinists" (and the Church is filled with them) think they know better!

That would be like me saying “But of course ‘girlie men’ (and the Church has them) think they know better.”

See how silly an argument that is?

There are gifts of rule and order, doma gifts: apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor, and teacher, that are given exclusively to men. These gifts may also be imparted to others at the prompting of the Spirit and the laying on of hands. Then there are gifts of "helps". These gifts function like the doma gifts without the responsibility of them. When a woman operates in a doma gift she must be covered by her believing husband or an elder. This is done because of the angels, demons looking to take advantage of the deception of Eve in the garden.

I once listened to a woman, a prophet, give a declaration from the Lord. It resonated like a clear sound in my heart. There was no doubt in my mind that the Lord was speaking. Before she spoke, her husband stood up and said, "My wife has a word from the Lord" and he remained by her side until she was done speaking. After she spoke, the husband gave the scripture references to the things she said. All of the direction could be found within the scriptures.

Now, if what she spoke had been gibberish or nonsense the elders would have addressed her husband, not her. This is how a woman prophesies with her head covered, without fear of criticism or accusation.

Really!

I think the point is that maybe the "male chauvinist" comment hit home with you!

does it matter?

If your name is in the Bible...more power to you!

I dont know anyone named Junia, though I know a few females named June. Also Jean. Jane. Jen, Julia. Jan. Joanne, etc.

And most all of them are believers!

That's real deep.
Actually it was the glorious logic that left me breathless.

Gal 3:28
New International Version
There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
New Living Translation
There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus.
English Standard Version
There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
New American Standard Bible
There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

One church.
One Bride.
All Sons of God.

Since flesh & blood DOESN'T inherit the kingdom of God, why would flesh matter? Because of the curse on woman?
The inner man isn't under the curse.
Since the inner man is free & holy, should the flesh be a qualification or disqualification for being sent by God? I see nothing in scripture where a christian's flesh is important for ministry.

An absolute prophecy: Num 11:
24So Moses went out and told the people the words of the Lord, and he gathered the seventy men of the elders of the people and placed them around the tabernacle. 25Then the Lord came down in the cloud, and spoke to him, and took of the Spirit that was upon him, and placed the same upon the seventy elders; and it happened, when the Spirit rested upon them, that they prophesied, [h]although they never did so again. 26But two men had remained in the camp: the name of one was Eldad, and the name of the other Medad. And the Spirit rested upon them. Now they were among those listed, but who had not gone out to the tabernacle; yet they prophesied in the camp. 27And a young man ran and told Moses, and said, “Eldad and Medad are prophesying in the camp.” 28So Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ assistant, one of his choice men, answered and said, “Moses my lord, forbid them!” 29Then Moses said to him, “Are you zealous for my sake? Oh, that ALL the Lord’s people were prophets and that the Lord would put His Spirit upon them!” 30And Moses returned to the camp, he and the elders of Israel.

Moses was a true prophet.

Another absolute prophecy, fulfilled on the Day of Pentecost that proves Moses was indeed prophesying:
Acts 2:
14But Peter, standing up with the eleven, raised his voice and said to them, “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and heed my words. 15For these are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only [e]the third hour of the day. 16But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:
17‘And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God,
That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh;
Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
Your young men shall see visions,
Your old men shall dream dreams.
18And on My menservants and on My maidservants (no, not just the Apostles)
I will pour out My Spirit in those days;
And they shall prophesy. (those that prophesy are prophets, whether minor or major)

So all 120 in the upper room prophesied, men, women, young & old, just like Moses & Joel both prophesied they would.

We have prophetesses in both OT & NT. According to christian doctrine that most churches believe, those who served God with significance were kings, priests, & prophets. Also, most denominations believe that ALL christians are king-priests of the Kingdom of God. Now we see in scripture that God ordained every christian to prophesy.

With all this evidence, here we are disputing whether Junia was an apostle.

New International Version
Greet Andronicus and Junia, my fellow Jews who have been in prison with me. They are outstanding among the apostles, and they were in Christ before I was.

New Living Translation
Greet Andronicus and Junia, my fellow Jews, who were in prison with me. They are highly respected among the apostles and became followers of Christ before I did.

English Standard Version
Greet Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen and my fellow prisoners. They are well known to the apostles, and they were in Christ before me.

New American Standard Bible
Greet Andronicus and Junia, my kinsfolk and my fellow prisoners, who are outstanding in the view of the apostles, who also were in Christ before me.

Now I can't rightly judge that they were apostles, but by the scriptures I can say they were qualified.

It's my opinion that we ought to believe what is written, & not what men teach.

It wouldn't matter as to gender. Women served with Christ when he ministered.

Paul said we are all one in Christ. That there were female apostles serving God's purpose then and now, only now typically called pastors, minister, or preacher, is God's will.
Man's prejudice doesn't link to God.

God calls whom he wills to his salvation and his service.

I agree. God used Balaam to bless Israel in spite of the fact he was a wicked man. If He can do that, who am I to say what God will or will not do?

The woman at the well of Sychar and Mary (evangelists), Prisca (teacher), and Philip's daughters (prophets) all say otherwise. By the way, there isn't anyone (male or female) identified as a "pastor" in the New Testament.

The context (1 Corinthians 11) does not mention or imply the "covering of a husband or elder"... at all.

Interesting but unbiblical speculation. Stick with what the text actually says.

While this is technically correct, it's a misleading statement; elders, pastors, bishops, leaders, teachers, overseers...are synonyms for the same office. They are to "rule well" through the teaching of the Word (1 Tim 5:17). Although no individual is explicitly "called" a pastor. There are mentions of pastors in the cities of Crete (Titus 1:5) and Jerusalem (Acts 16:4). And by deduction, we know that Timothy was a pastor, the same way we know that Paul was married (before his epistle authorship), even without an explicit reference.

To clarify, the idea of a senior elder/pastor is not described or commanded, but a plurality of elders is instructed for each congregation of believers to appoint and submit to.

neither male or female race or color all are one in god.It is also written if one wants to be the greatest be the least

Jesus never stated women could not serve the kingdom. Because that would be an absurd prohibition to discriminate against them due to their sex when, as we all know, sin entered the world through the failure of the first male to obey God as the man demonstrated himself incapable of leading a woman to obedience by word or example. And further compounded his weakness when he sinned and lied to God as the man tried to blame Eve for his lack of courage and character, when God asked the man what he had done wrong.

By one man sin entered the world. Man. Not woman.

Therein, any feigned argument whereby the male sex is imagined superior for leadership in God's plan is proven false and not credible, and by Adam himself in the first account recorded in Biblical history.
And with God, the serpent, and Eve as witness.

Women served as Disciples with Christ, and as Apostles later on, and were even praised for serving side by side with Paul.
After resurrection Jesus appeared first to a woman. Jesus entrusted to her the blessed responsibility to go forth and inform the Disciples he lives yet again. And to come see.
And Jesus did this at a time, in a culture, where women were to remain quiet and subservient. Jesus balked against man's prejudices and traditions that were prosecuted in the name of the law, but per Jesus was clearly not that what God approved. Otherwise, God, by example, and as The Word that is God made flesh to dwell among us, made clear.
He and his Disciples healed and worked on the Sabbath. Women journeyed as equals with Jesus as fellow Disciples with the men in his company. Jesus taught forgiveness and love of one's enemies, rather than reiterating the rule of eye for an eye.
And much more.

Traditions that therefore teach women cannot be called by God to teach are a sin. One that vacates the example set by God himself when Jesus told the men and women in his company to go forth into the world and spread the Gospels good news.

Some traditions will impugn Paul's character in that effort as well. Claiming his teaching that women should remain quiet in temple, church, is evidence women can't preach.

Paul didn't call people to serve the kingdom.
God does.

If Paul meant to say what those traditions claim of him, he would have violated his own edict when boasting of those women Apostles, today called preachers, pastors,ministers, with whom he served side by side. That's not the case however.
Paul was talking about and to those instances where someone may wish to question for better understanding what was being taught in the moment.
Rather than disrupt the service with questions, Paul said the women, and of course men would be able to also have questions, should wait and inquire when in private at home.

If that teaching by Paul actually did pertain to prohibition of women pastoring on church, the rest of Paul's remarks , "If they (women) want to find out about something, they should ask their husbands at home, because it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in church."

Clearly, that passage in 1 Corinthians 14 has to do with making inquiry while in church. Not a prohibition against women pastoring, teaching, in church.
Otherwise that teaching which precedes it would be in error in 1 Corinthians 11. "But any woman who prays or prophesies... ".
If women are to remain quiet in church, Paul cannot refer to women who pray or prophecy in church.


Phoebe, Junia(Julia), and five other women were praised by Paul for their ministerial services to the church in Paul's letters to the Romans.
That is evidence Paul allowed women to serve side by side with him in ministering the Gospel.

Paul said in his letter to the Galatians 3:28, there is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

And then he proved it by having women Apostles and ministers serving in the churches.

God calls whom he will to serve the kingdom.
Those who insist he doesn't call women due to their sex making them unfit, when a man was responsible for sin entering the world, aren't speaking the truth of Paul, or of God, who guided Paul to serve him in ministry.

The Bible shows us this.
What are mens prejudices but the sins God's grace is suppose to cover and forgive.

"It is written if i gave us flatting title he would take me away.

What?