Note 16 at Ro 16:11: The name Herodion came from the Greek word "HERODES" meaning "heroic" (Strong's Concordance). This was the name of a number of kings of Palestine (see note 3 at Lu 3:1), and it is possible that Herodion was named after one of the kings named Herod. If so, that would most likely make Herodion a Gentile, since it would be very unusual for a Jew to name a child in honor of Herod.

Herodion was the third person Paul mentioned in this chapter as being his kinsman (see note 9 at Ro 16:7). If Herodion was a Gentile, as his name could imply, then Paul would have been referring to him as a brother in the Lord and not a natural blood relative.

Note 17 at Ro 16:11: The name Narcissus came from the flower narcissus, or the daffodil. This is the only mention of Narcissus in Scripture.

Note 18 at Ro 16:11: The phrase, "in the Lord," refers to the members of Narcissus' household who had been born again through faith in Christ. This is a very appropriate and descriptive phrase since all believers are in Christ Jesus (2Co 5:17 and Col 2:10).