16:7a
Andronicus: This name refers to a man.
Junia: There are two ways to interpret the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Junia :
(1) It is the Roman woman’s name Junia, as in the Berean Standard Bible.
(Berean Standard Bible, New International Version (2011), Good News Translation, New Revised Standard Version, King James Version, English Standard Version, New American Bible, Revised Edition, New Living Translation (2004), NET Bible, Revised English Bible, New Century Version)
(2) It is the Roman man’s name Junias, as in the Revised Standard Version.
(Revised Standard Version, New International Version (1984), New Jerusalem Bible, New American Standard Bible, God’s Word, Contemporary English Version)
It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), because the UBS5 supports it.
fellow countrymen: Here this word refers to people (men and women) who are Jews, like Paul. Here are other ways to translate this word:
fellow Jews (New International Version (2011))
-or-
compatriots (NET Bible)
fellow prisoners: This phrase indicates either that:
(1) Andronicus and Junia were in prison together with Paul.
(2) They were in prison for the same reason as Paul (that is, preaching the gospel), but not at the same time.
There is no record or tradition about this. If possible, translate in a way that allows both meanings, as fellow prisoners does in English. Otherwise translate following one or the other meanings. For example:
they were prisoners as I was
-or-
who were in prison with me (Good News Translation)
16:7b
They are outstanding: There are several ways to interpret the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as outstanding :
(1) It indicates that Andronicus and Junia were really good apostles. For example:
they are prominent (New Revised Standard Version)
(Berean Standard Bible, Revised Standard Version, New International Version, New Jerusalem Bible, King James Version, New American Standard Bible, New Revised Standard Version, New American Bible, Revised Edition, God’s Word, Revised English Bible, New Century Version)
(2) It indicates that other believers respected them as much or more than the other apostles. For example:
They are highly respected (New Living Translation (2004))
(New Living Translation (2004), Contemporary English Version)
(3) It indicates that other believers knew of them as much as the other apostles. For example:
they are well known (Good News Translation)
(Good News Translation, English Standard Version, NET Bible)
It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), because the BDAG supports the Greek word meaning “very good” in comparison to others.
among: There are several ways to interpret the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as among :
(1) It indicates that Andronicus and Junia were apostles. For example:
among the apostles (New Revised Standard Version)
(Berean Standard Bible, Revised Standard Version, New International Version, Good News Translation, New Jerusalem Bible, King James Version, New American Standard Bible, New Revised Standard Version, New American Bible, Revised Edition, New Living Translation (2004), God’s Word, Revised English Bible, New Century Version)
(2) It indicates that Andronicus and Junia were not apostles. For example:
by the apostles (Contemporary English Version)
(Contemporary English Version, English Standard Version, NET Bible)
It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), because Moo and other scholars say that the Greek word that is often translated “in” means among here.
apostles: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as apostles means “representatives” or “messengers.” It refers to people whom someone sends with his authority. They are sent to give a message or accomplish a particular task. Here, the word apostles refers to the original eleven plus others, like Paul, Andronicus, and Junia, to whom Jesus gave the work of apostle. See how you translated the word “apostle” in 1:1.
16:7c
they were in Christ before I was: This indicates that Andronicus and Junia believed in Jesus before Paul believed in Jesus. Here are other ways to translate this clause:
became followers of Christ before I did (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
They were in Christ before me (English Standard Version)
Christ: This is a title for God’s chosen one. See how you translated it in 1:1 or 16:5.
This refers to Jesus. In some languages, including the name Jesus is more natural or more clear. For example:
⌊Jesus⌋ Christ
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