Lives of Scripture

Mary is one of nearly thirty individuals Paul greets by name in the closing chapter of his letter to the Romans, a chapter that offers a rare window into the makeup of the early church at Rome (Romans 16:1-16). Of her, Paul writes simply: 'Greet Mary, who has worked hard for you' (16:6). Unlike some others in the list, Paul gives no further detail about her role, family, or background -- but the commendation itself is significant. The Greek verb behind 'worked hard' (kopiao) is the same word Paul uses elsewhere for strenuous labor, including his own apostolic toil (1 Corinthians 15:10) and the work of church leaders worthy of double honor (1 Timothy 5:17). That Paul applies this word to Mary, without elaboration, suggests sustained, costly service to the Roman congregation, though its exact nature is not stated. Her brief mention is part of a larger pattern in Romans 16, where Paul names and honors numerous women -- Phoebe, Priscilla, Junia, Tryphena, Tryphosa, Persis -- alongside men, as valued laborers in the gospel's advance at Rome.