Junia

Junia

from Praying with the Women of the Bible

by Bridget Mary Meehan

I n Romans 16:7, Paul identifies Junia and Andronicus as

“outstanding apostles.” It is the only time that Paul refers to someone other than the Twelve or himself as apostles. Some biblical translators changed Junia, a female name, to the male name Junias, and up until recent years the male name appeared in most Bibles. However, tradition does not support this name change. Junia was a common female name in the Roman Empire at the time of the early Christian missionary movement. Patristic sources acknowledged Junia as an apostle. The fourth-century bishop of Constantinople, John Chrysostom, recognized Junia as a member of the apostolic circle: “Oh, how great is the devotion of this woman that she should be counted worthy of the appellation of apostle!”1 In addition, several other well-known scholars such as Origen of Alexandria, Saint Jerome, Hatto of Vercelli, Theophylact, and Peter Abelard agreed that Junia was a woman apostle. In fact, the first commentator on this text who changed her name to the masculine form Junias was Aegidus of Rome (1245–1316). Unfortunately, this action removed this outstanding woman apostle from biblical texts until recent scholarship rediscovered her.2

Commenting on the contortions that resulted in a sex change by translation, Elizabeth A. Castelli notes:



The feminine name Junia is replaced in modern translations by the masculine name

Junias, a name nowhere

else attested in the ancient world. Once again the argument is a circular syllogism: since, by definition, women cannot be apostles, when a woman is called an apostle, she is either not an apostle or she is not a woman.3



Some scholars believe that Andronicus was the husband of Junia and both shared a partnership in ministry like that of Prisca and Aquila and other missionary couples in the early Church. In 1 Corinthians 9:5, Paul argues that he, like the other apostles, was accompanied on his missionary missions by female partners. Hence, couple ministry appears to have been the trend in the beginning of the Christian movement. However, it is





important to point out that neither Junia nor Prisca are referred to as wives. What seems to be significant is not their status as wives but rather their commitment as coworkers and partners in preaching the gospel. Ross Saunders believes that this is important because “it shows that Paul accepted her on her own right and not just as the wife of Andronicus.”4 In addition, there is no evidence that the ministry of these women missionaries was limited to women, as some patristic sources imply.5

More than likely, Junia and Andronicus had become Christians before Paul, had been coworkers with Paul in Antioch, and had been persecuted and suffered imprisonment with Paul for the Christian faith: “Greet Andronicus and Junia, my relatives who were in prison with me; they are prominent among the apostles, and they were in Christ before I was” (Rom 16:7). It is possible that they were members of the apostolic circle in Jerusalem who, together with James, experienced a vision of the Risen Christ (see 1 Cor 15:7).6

So what is the significance of Junia, outstanding woman apostle, today? She was invisible to us for centuries. What do you suppose would surprise her about women’s roles and status in the Church today? If she could preach a sermon to the world on women’s roles and status what would she say? What if she were to join women and men of all ages, races, religions, cultures, and nations who are speaking out for justice; standing up for truth; advocating systemic change of oppressive societal structures; speaking out against power- hungry leaders who create wars and human devastation for their own avaricious ends; networking for the poor, oppressed, and disadvantaged; promoting human rights, equal rights, and minority rights; and insisting on monetary, political, healthcare, educational, welfare, and prison reform? How would her experience as apostle relate to contemporary women’s and men’s experiences of gospel commitment? Perhaps Junia, companion, champion, and change-agent might provide us with some new insights, interesting perspectives, and exciting challenges on these tough questions.







Reflection



“Greet Andronicus and Junia, my relatives who were in prison with me; they are prominent among the apostles, and they were in Christ before I was” (Rom 16:7).







Discussion Starters



1. Do you think Junia was a woman apostle equal to Paul, Andronicus, and the Twelve?

Why? Why not?

2. Why is it important to reclaim Junia as a woman apostle today? Can you name some contemporary women apostles? Are you one?

3. If you could ask Junia a question(s), what would it be? If Junia could ask women and men in the contemporary Church a question(s), what would it be?

4. Do you think Jesus called women to be apostles? Do you think Jesus calls women to apostolic leadership in the Church today?

Why? Why not?





Prayer Experience



1. Be aware of your breathing…. Surround yourself with quiet and peace. Use a prayer phrase, or mantra, to help you relax and be still…. Holy One of Courage, fill me…. Holy One of Justice, fill me…. Holy One of Peace, fill me…. Holy One of Liberation, fill me…. Holy One of Compassion, fill me…and so on.

2. Imagine that you are Junia…. You and Andronicus have just finished up an exhausting missionary journey…

preaching…teaching…healing…delivering people from bondage…celebrating the joyful love of your Christian life…. Now both of you have been put in prison…. Paul is there, too…. The three of you suffer humiliation…

harassment…and other deprivations…. You share your sufferings and support one another…praying…singing hymns of praise…strengthening…encouraging… comforting…and challenging one another…. You feel Christ’s presence in one another…. The power of the Holy Spirit is upon you…. There is something important you want to say to Andronicus and Paul…. Now is the time to do so….

3. Be aware of ways that you have suffered for the gospel…. Reflect on times that you have suffered in some way(s) for your faith…values…ideals…beliefs…etc…. Offer thanks for the people who strengthened you…encouraged you…uplifted you… challenged you…empowered you….

4. Reflect on your life as a Christian… Did you ever endanger your life for the gospel?… Did you ever risk your reputation for truth?…justice?…peace? Do you love others generously?… Do you have compassion for the sufferings of others, especially the poor and needy?… If you were arrested tomorrow for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?… Write down your answers to these questions…. Ask forgiveness for any failures you are aware of…. Give thanks for ways that you have been able to take risks for the gospel….

5. Be aware of opportunities you have to join women and men of all ages, races, religions, cultures, and nations who are speaking out for justice…standing up for truth…

advocating systemic change of oppressive societal structures…networking for the poor, oppressed, and disadvantaged…promoting human rights, equal rights, and minority rights…and insisting on monetary, political, health-care, educational, welfare, and prison reform…. Decide on one way you can join with others to take action on behalf of justice in our world…. Pray for all people who witness the gospel throughout the world in courageous ways….

6. Dialogue with Junia about her experience(s) as apostle. Share your experience(s) of gospel commitment with her.

… Are there any questions that you would like to ask her?

… Allow these questions to become prayers arising from the depths of your being…. Are there any questions that Junia would like to ask you?… Allow these questions, also, to become prayers arising from the depths of your being….

7. Reflect on ways that you can be like the apostle Junia; a leader in the contemporary

Church…. Pray for a new outpouring of the Spirit in our time: for example,



O Fire of Pentecost,

come and pour out the fullness of your gifts on us today,




Like our sister, the apostle Junia,

may we be filled with your Holy Spirit and dance in the new creation

as radiant witnesses of your glorious presence everywhere we go.

May your Church empower us to preach the gospel and stand up for justice for ourselves and others everyday of our lives.

Amen.





Record, if you wish, any thoughts…feelings…or insights from this prayer experience in a prayer journal, poetry, art, dance, or in some other creative way.